<b>Chapter </b><b>96 </b>
<b>+25 </b>Points
**Paige’s POV **
The problem with Callen is that I can never tell when he’s joking. His smirk is pure trouble, but his eyes are bright with the kind of excitement that tells me he’s about to drag me into something I’ll regret.
“Alright, sweetheart,” he says brightly, “time to put you through your paces. Let’s see if the mate bond makes you dangerous or if you’re just still soft and squishy human.”
I cross my arms and re at him. “Soft and squishy? Really?”
Parker moves to stand closer. “Don’t rise to it,” he sighs, even though I feel his amusement through the bond. “He’s just trying to rile you up so you’ll try to prove him wrong.”
“Well, it’s working,” I mutter, though my lips twitch into a half smile.
Callen grins wider.
Ryder steps forward, the air shifts. I can sense his presence more now, like I’m finally feeling what the pack does. He’s Alpha through and through. He rolls his shoulders, and his eyes
light up.
“We’ll keep it simple,” Ryder says, his voice steady. “Nobody’s throwing you into the deep end; we just want to see if you have more abilities now that you havepleted all your bonds.”
Callen and Remy start bickering about something, but I don’t hear them; I can’t. Not when Ryder’s attention is locked onto me. When Ryder looks at me like this, I straighten automatically. Something in me urges me to give him my full attention.
“Come here.”
Nerves flutter in my stomach, but I follow hismand.
Ryder takes a defensive position in front of me, rxed but ready. “First lesson,” he says. Don’t overthink. Trust your instincts. We already know the bond makes you move quicker. Let it guide you,”
Easy for him to say. He was born for this. I wasn’t. I mimic his stance, bending my knees the way he does. I already feel ridiculous. My heart pounds. I can’t believe I’m going to spar with Ryder. Not only is he huge, but he’s a freaking werewolf!
Ы
“Good, now, try to block me.”
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+25 Points
He moves <b>so </b>fast I almost don’t see it, his hand darting toward my shoulder. But before I even process what’s happening, my arm snaps up, knocking his away. His hand connects gently with my palm, as if he pulled his punch at thest moment.
Ryder grins. “See? You’ve got it.”
Callen whistles. “Not bad, freckles. Didn’t think you’d even see thating.”
Heat creeps up my neck. “Beginner’s luck.”
Ryder lunges again, faster this time. My body responds before my brain does, arm raising at the perfect angle. The impact is harder this time, and it jars up my arm, but I hold my ground. Then he strikes again and again. Each time, I’m there before he reaches me.
It’s like something invisible is tugging me into ce. I don’t even have to think about it; my body just moves with an instinct I’ve never had. It’s like I’ve been training for years instead of
minutes.
Remy’s watching closely now, his arms folded and his sharp eyes tracking my every move. Parker is watching too, but his expression is softer, and his pride flickers through the bond.
Ryder changes tactics, aiming for my opposite side, but my instinct surges again. Instead of blocking, I duck and sweep my leg out. He jumps back, his eyes wide, but with a grin on his
face.
“You’re better than I thought,” he admits.
I blink, confused about what the hell just happened. “How… how did I do that?”
“You stopped thinking and let your instincts guide you,” Ryder shrugs. “That’s what we want. You used the bond to protect yourself; that’s what it’s there for.”
I nod, but it doesn’t feel like just the bond. Something else hums under my skin, low and electric, like static buzzing in my blood.
Callen bounces on his toes like he’s warming up for a boxing match, itching to take <i>his </i>turn. My go. Let’s see if you can keep up with me.”
“Be careful,” Parker warns.
Callen shes him a wicked grin. “Rx. I’d never hurt her.”
Before I can get into position, Callen lunges. He’s quicker than Ryder, his wild energy powering his every movement. My breath catches, but I <i>know </i>where he’s <i>going </i><i>before </i>his foot even hits the ground. I’m already <i>spinning </i><i>out </i><i>of </i>his reach.
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< Chapter 96
He skids to a stop, blinking at the space I’d just been in. “What the hell…”
$25 <b>Points </b>
Adrenaline surges through me, and I circle him. My body feels light, as if something more than myself is moving me.
Callen darts forward again, faster. I raise my hand to block him. Then it happens. Callen stumbles back, his eyes wide. Just as shocked as me, because we both know I never made contact with him.
The hum inside me spikes, then cuts off just as quickly, leaving me trembling as I stare down at my hand.
I freeze. “I… didn’t touch you.”
“No,” Callen says slowly, staring at me. “You didn’t.”
Silence falls heavily over us all. Ryder’s grin vanishes. Remy tilts his head, his eyes narrowing. Parker’s heartbeat thrums through the bond, with protective concern.
My pulse thunders in my ears. “It was nothing. He just… lost his bnce.”
Callen raises his brows. “I don’t lose my bnce.”
“You did just now.” I force augh, even as my hands shake.
Ryder doesn’t look convinced. Neither does Remy.
Parker clears his throat. “She’s right. It’s her first time training, so everyone’s adrenaline is high. It could have been anything.”
Ryder’s jaw flexes, like he wants to argue, but after a moment he nods once. “Maybe.”
The hum of energy under my skin fades, leaving me feeling cold. I paste on a smile, desperate to move on and forget this ever happened. “So… do I pass?”
Callen smirks again, though it doesn’t reach his eyes this time. “Yeah, babe. You pass.”
We keep practising more dodges and blocks. Nothing else strange happens, but something between us feels different now. The tension is thick with unspoken questions. Theyugh and tease, but the edge is there; I feel it through the bond.
By the time we’re done, my body aches, and sweat drips down my spine. The guys guide <b>me </b>back toward the cabin, loud with easy banter, as if nothing happened. Callen seems his normal energetic self, but I catch the way Ryder’s eyes stay on me a little <i>too long</i>, <b>the </b><b>way </b>Remy studies me when he thinks I’m not looking, the way Parker hovers <b>just a </b><b>little </b><b><i>closer </i></b>than usual.
<b>3/6 </b>
< Chapter 96
“I need to shower,” <b>I </b>say without looking back at them.
Thankfully, none of them follow me, because I definitely need a moment alone.
I step into the shower, letting the hot water pound against my skin.
$25 Points
It was just a fluke, a misstep from Callen that he’s too proud to admit<b>, </b>but when I close <b>my </b>eyes, I see it again. A shimmer in the air, the impossible ripple of energy that pushed <b>Callen </b>back. For a heartbeat, I felt powerful. Too powerful.
I step out of the shower and grip the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. <b>I </b>see the same face, the same tired eyes, the same ordinary me, but I don’t feel ordinary anymore.
press a hand to my chest, to the ce where I’d felt the hum the strongest. It’s quiet now… Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was just adrenaline. Maybe it was the bond.
I cling to that thought like a lifeline. Because thest time I checked, wolves can’t do what I think I did, and that terrifies me more than I want to admit.
If it were something normal, my mates wouldn’t have acted the way they did; they’d have given me an exnation. They’d have reassured me, but they didn’t; they were just as shocked as I was.
I shake my head, muttering, “Adrenaline. That’s all it was.”
Before I can doubt myself any further, my phone buzzes on the counter. I nearly jump out of my skin. Heart still racing, I swipe to answer when I see Poppy shing across the screen.
I let out a shakyugh. “Saved by the bell.”
“Hey, stranger,” Poppy’s voice chirps the moment I answer. “Don’t tell me you’re standing me up tomorrow. I’ve been craving sister and nephew time.‘
Crap.
“Wouldn’t dream of it. Jax can’t wait to see his Auntie Pops again,” I say, hoping she doesn’t catch on that Ipletely forgot.
“Good, dinner’s on me this time. I’ll pick up pizza.”
“Poppy…<i>” </i>I start, ready to argue. She’s a student with a student budget, and I <b>don’t </b>want <b><i>her </i></b>leaving herself short.
“Nope.<i>” </i>she cuts me off. “My treat. You cookedst time. Let <b>me </b><b>be </b><b>the </b><b><i>responsible </i></b><b>adult </b><b><i>for </i></b>once.”
I should point out that I didn’t, that it was Parker who made most <b><i>of </i></b><b>it </b><b>but </b><b>I </b><b>just </b><bugh</b><b>, </b>
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< Chapter 96
<b>settling </b>onto the edge of the bed.
<b>425 </b>Points
“Fine, but don’t me me when Jax demands extra cheese and pineapple. <b>You </b><b>brought </b><b>that </b>curse into our lives.<b>” </b>
“Pineapple belongs on pizza,” she insists. “Don’t fight me on this.”
I roll my eyes, smiling. “So, just us and Jax then? Unless…” Her voice turns sly. “<b>Are </b>your… escortsing too?”
I groan. “Don’t call them that.”
“What else am I supposed to call them? You have four ridiculously attractive men who all circle you like wolves, don’t try to convince me they’re just your friends; I saw how they looked at you.”
“Poppy…”
“You know, I just finished reading this hockey romance novel. This girl had three boyfriends… three! They all just moved in together like a family, had kids, the lot.”
Heat flushes my cheeks. “It’s not like… It’splicated.”
“Ha! That’s not a denial. I knew it!” She squeals.
“I didn’t confirm it either. They’re just making sure Greg doesn’te up here and harass me. “I scrub a hand over my face, wishing the floor would swallow me. “Anyway, they’ll be there.”
“Protective and handsome? Paige, please. I’m living vicariously through you right now.”
Iugh, even though embarrassment heats my skin. “It’s not like that.”
I can practically hear her smirk. “So you’re saying if I asked Jax <i>who </i>tucks his mummy in to bed at night, he wouldn’t list off all four names?”
“Poppy!” My voicees out halfugh, half–protest.
She cackles. “God, I missed this. You’re blushing, aren’t you?<b>” </b>
“Goodbye, Poppy.”
“No, no, wait! I’ll behave,” she says, her voice softening. “Seriously, <i>though</i>, I’m <b><i>d </i></b><b><i>you’ve </i></b><b><i>got </i></b>people looking out for you. For both of <i>you</i>. After everything with Greg, I <i>worried </i><b><i>you’d </i></b><b><i>try </i></b><b><i>to </i></b>do it all on your own again.”
My throat tightens. I grip the phone a little harder. “I’m not <b>alone </b><b>this </b>time.”
<b>516 </b>
< Chapter 96
+25 Points
“I know, and I’m d. Now go enjoy your harem or whatever you’re calling them. I’ll bring pizza tomorrow around six.”
“You’re impossible.”
“Love you too. Kiss Jax for me.”
When the call ends, I sit there for a long moment, staring at the phone in my hand.
She doesn’t know half of it.
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