“Your speed and agility are your two greatest assets against my strength, use them.”
I step back, wanting to impress him. I may only be a she–wolf but I’m a strong Alpha female.
I go at him again. And again. And again. Each time he blocks, swerves, ducks, or leaps away from my hits and kicks. Each time he captures me, pinning me against his body, telling me I’m doing well.
“Except I’m not doing well, am I?” I finally snap when he releases me for the umpteenth time.
“Why do you say that?” he asks me.
“You’ve captured me each time I’ve attacked you. You haven’t even come at me but I’m pretty sure you could take me down before I even knew you were about to strike,” I say, completely frustrated.
“Actually, I doubt that’s true. My biggest competitors are always the she–wolves. I’m fast, but my larger build keeps me from being as agile and fast as most she–wolves. The only Alphas to take me down at the Academy were she–wolves. Why? Because they use their strengths against me. If I could land a punch, it would slow them down enough for me to take them down. But that was a big ‘if‘. More often than not, they showed me my own ass. You’re letting your frustration get the
wn better of you. I’ve trained in ways that you haven’t. That doesn’t make you less of a fighter. It just means that I’m going to make you a better fighter by drawing on your strengths.”
cross my arms over my chest, still feeling defensive.
Christian narrows his eyes at me then quick as a snake, he punches a jab at my face.
I knock his armi away before he makes contact.
“Hey!” I snap.
He doesn’t respond, but he continues focusing on me. This time his punch is aimed at my gut. I knock it away, dancing out of his reach.
“What are you doing?” I growl.
He spins fast, his foot aimed at my head. I duck and as he spins, I punch his inner thigh with all my strength.
He grunts as I spin back up to stand, facing him.
He looks down at his inner thigh where I can see a bruise in the shape of my knuckles already forming.
“I’m not trying to make you feel inadequate in your fighting technique, Enya. I am trying to make you better, faster, and stronger. You already have great instincts. Stop fighting against me and becoming defensive. Everything I’m teaching you is meant to improve your fighting skill. Take it in, absorb it, practice it, and enhance your already incredible fighting skills,” he says, lowering his arms.
I lower my arms and stare at him. I don’t get defensive in sparring class, or I never have before. But I’ve also never felt the need to impress anyone like I feel the need to impress Christian.
“Training is over. Let’s eat and then you can show us the kitchens,” he says, gesturing for me/to head inside ahead of him.
I look around and realize that most of the other warriors are already gone. Shane is watching me with a frown on his face. He knows I don’t
get defensive, and yet I did.
“Sorry about today,” I say to Christian.
“No need to apologize. I’ll be working with others tomorrow, but I’d like you to practice what we talked about today with your partner tomorrow.
”
“Okay,” I say, heading inside. Shane falls into step beside me.
“Enya, what is up with you?” he asks.
I shrug, looking over my shoulder at Christian who is talking to Braden.
It’s a good question. What is up with me? Why is this man under my skin, making me feel flustered, like a silly schoolgirl who wants to impress the new, cute boy in school? That’s never been who I am. I’ve never cared about wanting to impress anyone before.
So, what is it about Christian that is stirring all these new and uncomfortable emotions inside of me?
Enya
I have to say, it feels good to be able to answer all of Christian’s questions without feeling like I’m stuttering or stupid. My mother trained me on how to be a great Luna, so here in the kitchens, I know more than anyone else in the pack.
I can tell that Christian is surprised and pleased with my knowledge. I wish I knew why his impression of me matters so much, but I does. So, I show off more than I planned to. However, no matter what I show him, he seems interested and asks pertinent questions.
When I show him how we decide on the meals for each week, I ask
him if he has any special dishes that he would like for us to prepare.
