I awoke the next day feeling refreshed.
“Well, good morning,” Sonny said as I walked into the kitchen looking for coffee.
“Good morning.” My words came out softer than I had anticipated.
My eyes swept the kitchen, and I noticed there was another woman there. She was young and pretty, with short dark hair. I was surprised to see her glaring at me.
What was her problem?
Had word gotten around about me?
“Are you hungry? There’s coffee, and plenty of food.”
Sonny’s voice pulled me out of the staring match I was having. I realized he had stepped closer to me. I smiled sweetly at him.
“Yes, coffee would be amazing. I don't usually eat this early.”
He nodded his head as he moved towards a cupboard and pulled a cup out for me. I followed, and I couldn’t help but notice the girl's eyes following me as I moved closer to him.
“Here you go.” He said, handing me the cup of coffee.
I smiled again.
“So,” he continued, “I was thinking you may want to come with me this morning.”
“Come with you?” I wasn’t sure where he wanted me to go with him, but looking around the pack more would be beneficial for my cause. I had to learn every inch of this place.
“Yeah, I am heading down to the training grounds. I thought you may like to come down and watch. You can see how we train our wolves.”
Seeing how they trained and picking out weaknesses would be a good idea.
I was also slightly curious to see how in shape Sonny really was. I saw him rip that rogue apart, but I sensed that it wasn’t a full show of what he could do.
“Yeah, I’d like that. Especially if I get to spend more time with you.”
Slick, Clara, I thought. Don’t overdo it.
A scoffing sound came from the girl. Both Sonny and I watched as she stood, put her plate in the sink, and stormed off.
“Did I do something wrong?” I asked, looking toward Sonny.
“No. Don’t worry about her. She’s always like that.”
Sonny didn’t seem bothered by the girl, but I was deeply concerned. I thought back to Vincent’s reaction to me.
Whether it was because I was a newcomer, or because I was a rogue… that sort of suspicion would be a problem for my mission. I wasn’t here to make friends, but I wouldn’t be able to operate if everyone distrusted and disliked me by default.
“Come on,” Sonny said. “Let’s get going.”
***
The training arena was large and hidden in the forest. Despite the private setting, it was extremely busy.
I was surprised by how many wolves were there—and it wasn’t just men. Women trained as well.
“Wow, this is impressive,” I said softly.
Of course they would have an amazing training area like this. It made me sick.
I couldn’t wait to make this Alpha lose everything.
“Yeah, it’s great, honestly. I am going to get some sparring in. You can find a place nearby and watch. Unless you want to join?”
As enticing as the offer was, I needed to stay back and observe. I didn’t want to draw too much attention to myself, either.
“I’ll watch for now. Just so I can see how you do things.”
Sonny nodded his head, and jogged off towards the one he called Vincent. Vincent looked like he was running things… was he the beta? I wished I had known when we’d met.
As everyone paired up and began sparring, I mentally took notes on who to watch out for, and who was sloppy and would be easy to take down.
As my eyes passed over Sonny and Vincent sparring, I had to admit that both were formidable. However, the beta seemed to have some flaws in his movements that Sonny picked up on.
When Vincent hit the ground, I was in shock.
Vincent was the beta… How did a mere warrior get him on his back?!
The way the takedown was done had me chuckling to myself, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Vincent. He scowled at me, and Sonny laughed.
“You think that’s funny?” Vincent called out to me, causing others to look. “Why don’t you come out here and try to take me?”
I winced. My muscles were itching for a good match—but I knew it was a bad idea. This was the alpha’s right-hand man; I didn’t want him to know too much about me.
Seeing my hesitation, he smirked. “Or are you too scared to get hurt?”
I blinked. Was he really taunting me?
I knew I needed to keep my cool, but it went against every instinct I had to ignore his insults. I was no ordinary wolf, after all.
“I forgot,” he chortled, a mean glint in his eye. “You rogues just ambush people and then run as soon as things get tough. Let me guess… you’ve never learned how to fight, have you?” He took a few steps toward me, putting a hand over his heart in mock gallantry. “I promise I’ll go easy on you.”
At that, something inside me snapped. I couldn’t take it anymore.
This was going to be good.
Jumping to my feet, I brushed off my hands and slipped off my shoes. As I slowly walked toward them, and the hushed whispers of the people around me grew louder.
“I’m not scared of you,” I said, “and I would love to spar. If you’re okay by being beaten by a girl.”
The smirk that crossed my face seemed to bother him, and his expression darkened. He gestured for me to take my place.
“Come on, Clara!” Sonny yelled from the sidelines where he was standing with three other men.
Vincent rolled his eyes. “Please. I know how you rogues are. I’ve fought plenty of you. You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”
Behind Vincent, a gaggle of shifters had gathered to watch. I saw the hostile glint in their eyes as they regarded me, like they were looking at something dirty.
I turned back to Vincent. He was leaning forward slightly, a dangerous look on his face.
“As a favor to Sonny, I won’t hurt you too badly,” he hissed. “But you need to learn your place—and there’s a world of difference from you and a real pack member.”
F*ck holding back. I was going to make him eat the mat.
He lunged forward, and the sparring match began.
I had already memorized the beta’s moves. Every step he took, I countered. Every throw he made, I dodged.
And at the last moment when he wasn’t expecting it, I pounced, swinging his body over my own and tossing him to the mat with a thud.
The crowd of people that had gathered around gasped.
“Oh shit!” The other guys said, and began laughing. “She got you down, Vincent!”
I glanced around. The wolves were mainly laughing at their betas embarrassment, but I could see that a few people’s hostile gazes had turned to ones of curiosity.
Not everyone, though. Some of them looked furious at what he had done.
My eyes swept over to Sonny, who was standing on the sidelines with his muscular arms crossed over his chest. My heart swooped when I saw a hint of amusement glittering in his eyes.
Vincent quickly jumped up, looking at me wide-eyed. I knew what was running through his mind. He had no idea how I was able to do what I did.
I looked small and weak, but I wasn’t. That wasn’t even my full strength.
“You think this is funny?” Vincent yelled at the onlookers. “You get your a**es out here and spar her.”
It was then that Sonny stepped forward.
For a moment, he said nothing, watching me intently. Then he smirked.
“What do you say, princess? Want to spar me next?”
Did he just call me princess?!
I was going to put him on his ass for that.
I got into position.
Slowly he pulled his t-shirt off, and I got lost for a second staring at his well-defined abs.
God, Clara! Get a fucking grip.
“Ready when you are, princess,” Sonny repeated, grinning. I was ready to wipe that smirk off his face.
I shot forward, and was surprised when he dodged my attack effortlessly.
I had to stay focused. I was the best fighter of my pack.
After all—I was the Morgan pack’s true Alpha.
We circled each other, and I threw the occasional punch. Not once did he lead with the initial attack.
He was calculating my moves, I realized. Learning where my openings were.
I couldn’t let him figure me out.
Rushing him, I climbed his body like a tree and spun around onto his back.
He gripped my leg and sent me flying through the air. But it wasn’t enough to get me down.
Landing on my feet, I rushed him again, and made my strikes faster and faster. He countered every one.
How was this even possible? No regular wolf should be able to keep up with me.
There was a slight pause in his movements, and I finally saw an opening. But I made the mistake of hesitating.
That was all it took for him to pin me to the ground.
My breathing came out in heavy pants as I looked up into his gorgeous blue eyes. Sonny was straddling me, and his face leaned in close, causing my heart to race faster.
“You’re very good for someone who got caught by a rabid rogue…”
Sonny’s words made my heart stop. Sh*t!
“Well…” I said, trying to catch my breath, “not everyone is perfect.”
The touch of his skin brushing over mine, the way he stared at me, were sending sensations running through me that I never thought I would experience. I felt a rush of emotions I had once longed to feel.
It wasn’t a sudden burst of sparks flying through the air, but more a sense of familiarity. As if there was no end or beginning to the way we touched each other.
I snapped out of my haze of lust as he slowly climbed off me. He held his hand out to help me up.
I hesitated for a moment, but then finally took it—and found myself pulled into his chest.
This was too close.
Groaning internally, I looked around to see many wolves talking in hushed whispers while looking at me. The last thing I had wanted was to draw attention to myself, but it was a little too late now.
Sunny’s voice pulled my attention back. “You are a worthy opponent, Clara. I am proud of how well you fought.”
Hearing him praise me made me feel some kind of way, and I didn’t like it. I couldn’t afford distractions.
God, this stupid matebond.