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Red"s POV
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"I see." Still in awe.
"Still want to match wits?" Joe asked.
"Sure" I relaxed and settled my body.
We both walked in a circle checking each others movements. I could see, there were hints of training. Mostly martial arts training from what I could guess. That is when he took a soft jab at me. I knew it was a test. I reacted quickly and easily to his first test. I took my own turn to strike. He quickly got out of the way and countered, placed me into autopilot mode. I started to punching, kicking and using his momentum against him. Neither of us angry just gauging the other in the intent to see who was on top. Both of us tried many ways to get the advantage. Neither of us managed. Neither of us tired either as if we had unlimited amount of energy.
"I will say you both are of equal strength in this endeavour." Lada's voice echoed above and around us.
Both of stopped and stood up. "I agree," sighed Joe.
"As do I" I nodded.
"Then it is understood, you both are on the same playing field?" Lada asked.
"Yes, minus he has magic and I do not." I announced deferring to his power source.
"I make a vow to never use that power on you unless you try to harm Lia." Joe knelt. Knowing this vow would be honor bound infront of Lada.
"I appericate that." I nodded.
"I also add that I will not interfere in your bond. Unless you have left this world for the one we all hope to get." Joe still knelt down added. Then rose and looked up to Lada.
"I thank you for that as well." I was genuinely thankful that there would be no power struggle between us over Lia.
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Shortly after that the place we were was no longer there. We were back in the world I knew. Lada had taken her paw off and Joe was back in wolf form heading away. "I know that needed to be done. Males need to know where they fit in the great scheme of things." Lada looked behind me. "Lia is awake. Go tend to her." I watched her get up and take off in the same direction as Joe had.
I walked back to the house, and breathing a little more easily. I caught the smell of coffee brewing, and heard pots and pans in the kitchen telling me she must be hungry. I opened the sliding glass door, "Hey beautiful," as I walked inside. Walking up behind her I wrapped my arms around her from behind and nuzzled my nose into her messed up hair and neck. Breathing in her scent, I kissed her cheek.
"Feels really good to be back," I heard her sigh.
"Feels great to have you back as well," I hugged her a touch harder.
It was about then when we both heard it. The scratching on the door. Both of our eyes met and then looked at the front door. When Lia looked back at me her eyes were that bright blue I had become aware was her wolf coming forward. It was gonna take me a bit to get used to that.
"Stud muffin, this is for me be right back." I watched her walk to the door. I kept an eye on her while I grabbed a cup of coffee.
By the time I had poured the coffee and took my first sip, she was closing the door and heading back to me. Her eyes their normal grey.
"What's going on?" I asked while handing her a cup of coffee.
"It appears I have magic lessons I will need to take." You could see how uncomfortable she was with saying it let alone knowing I had to hear it.
"I am sure all will be well." I took a sip of coffee. "Who is teaching you?" I was curious.
"Lada and Joe will be." I heard her say over her cup of coffee.
"You nervous?" I rasied a brow.
"No, just don't understand how we got to this point. So many changes." she breathed and sipped the mug of warm brown liquid.
"One thing I can say with certainty life changes sometimes faster then fleas on a dog." I kissed her forehead and wrapped my arm around her. "All will be fine, it will work out the way it was meant to." I hugged her for all I was worth.