Bad Husband 78


    Ava''s POV


    The dagger flipped between my fingers, catching sunlight as I stared at the wooden target. All morning I''d tried to keep my mind off Dad''s case. Since ke stepped in to stop Shadow Creek''s execution ns, the weight crushing my shoulders had finally lifted a bit. Still just a temporary win-Dad remained locked up, with the truth buried somewhere.


    "Again," I told Lucas, watching his form. "Keep low. Don''t rush it."


    He nodded, those gray-blue eyes so much like ke''s shing with focus. Hunter sprawled nearby, gold eyes following his master''s every move. The kid hade so far these past weeks, giving me a strange sense of pride.


    "You''re quiet today," Lucas said, passing me water. Something in his eyes made him seem older than seven. "Because of your dad?"


    I drank deep, the cold sliding down my throat. “Just beat. Saw him yesterday. He''s doing better now. Your dad made that happen."


    My chest tightened saying those words. What ke did went miles beyond our Blood Oath. He''d risked Shadow Creek''s anger by stepping in. Could''ve stayed clear, but didn''t. I still hadn''t sorted out how that made me feel.


    "By the way," Lucas said, "I saw some guy talking to Sophia when I went for water. New visitor?"


    His eyes lit up instantly. Even Hunter raised his head.


    "Has to be Cousin Steven! He''s been gone forever! Heard he wasing today."


    Right on cue, Sophia called from the training yard entrance. "Look who I found- training time!"


    She walked over with a stranger beside her. He had the Morgan look-tall with that natural grace-but younger than ke, probably my age. Silver-gold curls caught the sun, framing a face straight out of wolf legends. Movie-star handsome with confidence that didn''t quite cross into cocky.


    Lucas bounced up. "Steven!"


    "Ava, meet my cousin, Steven Morgan, next Alpha of Dark Moon pack," Sophia beamed. "Steven, this is Ava Rivers, Lucas''sbat teacher."


    Steven''s eyes moved from Lucas to me, taking a slow inventory that made me stand straighter, feeling sized up like prey.


    “Mr. Morgan, wee to ckwood, I kept it business–like.


    Instead of a handshake, he gave a slight bow-northern style. "Steven, please. Your southern fighting methods fascinate me. Totally different from up north."


    "Steven collects pack histories, Sophia exined. "From all over."


    "And southern fighting techniques," he added, eyes fixed on me. "I heard about your Honor Medal at Warrior Academy."


    The Shadow Creek mention put me on guard. Since Dad''s traitorbel, any reference to my pack made me tense. How''d he know my background?


    "Just basic stuff," I cut it short. "Lucas, back to work?"


    Steven caught my difort but pushed anyway. "I''m tracking inter-pack conflicts," he lowered his voice. "Shadow Creek''s recent... troubles might make an interesting chapter."


    My pulse jumped. Was he fishing for info about Dad?


    "Wrong person for pack politics," I said coolly. "I just teach fighting."


    "Speaking of which, Sophia jumped in, "Steven''s archery is unbeatable! No one up northes close."


    "Really?" Lucas''s eyes widened. ''Show us!"


    Steven winked. "If Miss Rivers doesn''t mind a quick break?"


    Smart move. Using Lucas''s excitement made refusing look petty. I nodded. ''Range is there."


    I nned to slip off, but Lucas grabbed my sleeve. "Ava, you gotta see this!" His eager face made "no" impossible.


    Steven moved to the range with easy grace, selecting a bow and testing its pull before nocking an arrow.


    First shot: dead center.


    "Big deal," Lucas muttered. "Ava does that too."


    I couldn''t help smiling at his loyalty. Then Steven truly impressed us. He backed further away with each shot, arrows still finding bullseye with deadly aim. He split his previous arrows down the middle.


    "Holy moon," Sophia whispered.


    His final shot came from so far I barely saw him. The arrow hit with enough force to knock the entire target over.


    "That was sick!" Lucas shouted. "Teach me!"


    Steven walked back, casually running a hand through his hair. "Old northern tricks," he said, eyes finding mine again. "Wonder what Miss Rivers could show us about hand-to-hand?"


    The challenge hung in the air, unmistakable.


    I bit my lip, thinking of refusing. The mark on my neck warmed in the sun-


    Jackson''s silver linestely threaded with gold. Taking on another Alpha probably wasn''t smart, especially with my mixed feelings about ke''s help still churning inside.


    But everyone looked so expectant.


    "I could show some basic defense moves," I finally said. "Teaching is my job, after all."


    We moved to the mats. I stretched quickly, nning which beginner moves to demonstrate. Steven shrugged off his jacket, showing off well-trained muscle. The air between us shifted as the scent of pine and northern mountains rolled off him-stronger than normal for a casual training session. His stance screamed formal training, but something in his eyes felt too familiar for someone I''d just met.


    "Don''t worry," he murmured for my ears only, leaning in slightly. "I''ll take it easy on you."


    That lit a fire in my warrior blood. I tensed, ready to teach him just enough of a lesson to show southern wolves weren''t pushovers.


    But Steven''s first move blindsided me. Instead of a standard approach, he moved lightning-fast behind me, grabbing my arm and spinning me around before I could blink.


    Suddenly I was pinned face-down, his body pressing against my back, one leg between mine to lock me down. The position was too close forfort. The heat of his skin registered through my training clothes, his breath warm against my neck. His scent intensified with exertion. Gasps echoed around us, especially Lucas''s worried yelp.


    This wasn''t training-it was a realbat takedown. Northern wolves yed rougher than I thought.


    Sweat beaded on my forehead as I focused. This match had shifted from demonstration topetition. I stayed calm, waited for my chance, then kicked back hard, hitting his knee perfectly. As his bnce broke, I flipped us, pinning him with my knee on his chest.


    "Nice," Steven grinned, admiration in his eyes. A thin sheen of sweat made his face glow, but he didn''t seem winded at all. "Not just rumors then."


    His hands gripped my waist, fingers pressing in with unexpected familiarity, clearly ready for round two. Ladjusted my position, maintaining professional distance. I braced myself-


    That''s when a thunderous roar shook the training yard.


    "What the FUCK do you think you''re doing?!"