Page 19 of Alpha's Rejected Warrior
Jayme’s smile alone triggers screams ofDanger!in my mind. His teeth look a little too sharp for my taste. “Of course.”
“Hey, wait,” I say. “He’s gonna stay human, right? Or at least put on some clothes?”
Akila snickers as she walks past us to pair up with the partner Jayme had just left behind, a tall, blond man that I’ve only seen once before, during my escape.
Rhiannon sighs and says to me, “You’ll train as we do, or you won’t train at all. Is that understood?”
I look over at Jayme, who appears all too happy to have the chance to rip me apart. “I can’t exactly train as you do, Rhiannon—”
“You will address me as Commander. I am your superior.”
What the fuck?She’s enjoying this.“Fine,Commander.I was just trying to remind you that I’m not exactly Lycan. I’m thinking that I might be at a disadvantage here.”
“Of course you are,” she says with a laugh, her amber eyes shining.Damn, she’s hot.
“Are you planning to kill me on my first day of training?” I ask, lowering my voice so only Rhiannon can hear. “Or is this just foreplay for you?”
Her chin lifts, and her gaze sharpens. “You think quite highly of yourself for someone who’s about to get their ass handed to them, human.”
“Ah, so you do want to see what it’s like to get physical with me. I’m flattered, Commander.” I wink at her.
Rhiannon steps closer, her proximity making my head swim. “Trust me, Ethan. If I was paired up with you, you’d already be lying on the ground.”
“Promise?” I whisper, and immediately regret my boldness when her eyes flash gold.
“I’m serious, Ethan,” she says. “This isn’t Creek Falls anymore. If you are going to defend my Luna, it will not be against another human. Now, are you ready to begin, or will you be heading back to your quarters?”
“Only if you’re coming with me,” I can’t help but quip, hoping she doesn’t hit me. “I know! Just kidding.”
She raises an eyebrow, her eyes raking over me. If I were a betting man, I’d say she was into me too. If she is, I might as well give her a show. I pull my shirt off over my head and say, “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”
I follow Jayme out to the middle of the dusty field and face him. The sun is almost unbearable on my back. I don’t know how they’re able to fight in this heat.
Behind me, Rhiannon says, “All right, let’s keep it simple. Grappling. Human forms only.”
Grappling!That I know how to do. Surely my old instincts won’t let me down. I lean down a little, judging Jayme’s center of gravity. If I can ram my shoulder into his stomach hard enough, I might be able to get him down.
“And . . . begin!”
My shoulder connects with Jayme’s torso exactly as planned. Almost immediately, Jayme’s arms come down, crashing into my back so hard that my knees buckle. Before I know it, he lifts me into the air. Up and over I go, slamming down into the dirt.
The air leaves my lungs on impact, and I’m on the ground, gasping like a fish out of water as Jayme stands over me, waiting for me to get up. I can’t move.Jeez, that was a good hit.
Everything stops, and Rhiannon jogs over to us. “I told you to be careful with him!”
“It was a simple lift and drop.” Jayme shrugs his shoulders. “I didn’t knowthatwould hurt him.”
I’d tell them I was fine if I could get my breath. All that comes out is a wheeze. Rhiannon shakes her head and calls for a medic.
Chapter 7 — Ethan
About an hour ago, Akila brought me to the infirmary. I’ve been dozing since their healer, Dr. Olcan, gave me something for the pain. How they do things is so odd here. I didn’t get a shot or any pills, just this colorless, tasteless liquid that the healer told me to drink. The next thing I know, I drift off to sleep.
In my mind, I’m seven years old and standing in the driveway of my house, passing a basketball between my hands.
The rhythmic thump of the ball against concrete fills my ears as I practice dribbling. I’ve been out here for almost an hour, trying to perfect my technique. Dad always says practice makes perfect.
From inside the house, I hear the crash of something breaking, followed by my mother’s voice, high and desperate. “Please, stop! I won’t go. Please!”
