“I’m going to put my hands on you. I’m assuming I have your permission?” he asks.


    “Yes,” I say, feeling a bit ufortable. The man literally just came in my mouth and now he’s asking if he can put his hands on me?


    Something is off.


    “Are you sure you’re okay, Sebastian?” I ask him.


    “Yes. Still reeling a bit from that orgasm, I guess,” he says. The smile he gives me is forced. Part of me wants to tell him to forget about this but when he starts to carefully rub his hands over my stomach, I moan.


    This time, his smile is more genuine. “Does that help?”


    “Yes, it does,” I say.


    He doesn’t rub my stomach too long. Just long enough that it feels better. He seems to know just how long is enough and not too much. Then he has me roll over and he begins rubbing my lower back. He takes longer here, going deeper into the areas where my back is aching.


    The heating pad continues to loosen the muscles that are cramping and sore and by the time he’s done, I barely feel any cramps at all.


    “Sebastian, that was incredible,” I tell him.


    “Good. It feels like some of the tight muscles have rxed. Take the heating pad. Use it tonight and hopefully tomorrow morning, you’l feel up to showing me your n for defeating the Beast.”


    I stand, pulling my robe on.


    “And how are you feeling. Sebastian?”


    “I’m pretty sure I’m going to sleep like the dead tonight.” he says.


    “I’ll see you in the morning then.” I say, getting the heating pad. “Sleep well. Sebastian.”


    “You too. Christina.” he says, walking me to the door. “And make sure you get medical clearance before ss in the morning.”


    I walk to my room and when I look, he’s there, watching me like he always does. I wave and he nods. before I step into my room, still feeling like something is off between us.


    Christina


    The next morning. I wake up feeling better than I did yesterday thanks to Sebastian’s massage and the heating pad that Iid on most of the night.


    The first thing I do is go to the infirmary and get an x–ray of my hip. The bruising is gone and I’m pretty sure that the bone is healed, but I know Sebastian won’t let me ride the Beast today without the clearance.


    Once I have it. I decide to go for a run to loosen up my muscles before breakfast and then I shower and get ready


    When I walk into the dining hall, I see Sebastian and Alpha James talking quietly in the corner, away from everyone else. Whatever they are talking about must be private, so I don’t bother them, going to get my coffee


    Since its Monday, breakfast is more formal and heartier, knowing we have Strength ss again this morning.


    “Ready for today?” Ezra asks, walking in and getting coffee.


    “I am. How about you?” I ask him.


    “I’m ready to win some points today,” he says, grinning.


    “Christina, did you get medical clearance?” Sebastian asks, walking


    over.


    “I did. I’m good to go.”


    “Good. I’m excited to see what you’vee up with today.”


    “You figured it out?” Tyler asks, walking up.


    “I’ve figured out my own n of how to defeat the Beast, yes,” I tell


    him.


    “Good for you!” he says, and I know he means it. “How about you?” he


    asks Ezra.


    “Oh, I’ming for you,” he says, and both of themugh.


    “I think we’ll have to draw straws this morning, Seb. Our young Alphas are getting close to defeating the Beast and first toplete gets ten points,” Alpha James says.


    “First toplete in each form,” Sebastian rifies. Damn, I hope Ezra doesn’t try for wolf form. That’s my n and so far, no one has run the Beast in wolf form. I think the guys expect to be able to use their strength in human form to defeat the obstacles, but I’m more agile than most in wolf form and other than the fire, I’m feeling very confident today.


    ”


    At breakfast, we draw straws for the Beast. Tyler gets first, then Noah, then me, Ezra, Liam, and finally Logan.


    When we walk out to the field, the air feels almost electric with anticipation.


    “Wee to week two of Strength training, young Alphas. Last week,


    This week, we’re going to exploit them. Before we start, Tyler, you’re up.” Sebastian


    we spent time getting to know your weaknes phas. Last week,


    says.


    “I challenge Alpha James, human form,” Tyler


    says.


    Alpha Jamesughs, cracking his neck, and bouncing on his toes.


    “You’re going down, kid,” Alpha James teases.


    “We’ll see,” Tyler says as they walk to the starting line.