CHAPTER 13

VENUS

We could train and train as much as we wanted in a fancy academy full of equipment, weapons and extravagant agility courses, but fighting a wolf was a whole different thing. Something that the Saint Claire task force would benefit immensely from, seeing as we'd get to practise with them in the flesh.

For now, it would just be Griffin and me training with the wolves. I'd asked Celeste if she'd wanted to come along to observe and learn but she not-so-politely refused to step foot on the pack property.

Before Griffin's surprise arrival, we had all of two Stone family training sessions in our back garden. Mum pulled out all the old equipment from the shed that we used when we were younger—from before I had given up on training. She'd created a few small stations that she made us work through.

We already had a boxing bag hanging under the porch that I still used occasionally, but she added gloves, skipping ropes, targets and a few practice swords; wooden ones that Celeste and I would play with when Xari would look after us as kids. I always thought they were so we could pretend to be warrior princesses, but seeing all these items again was unlocking some memories in my brain that I had clearly chosen to forget, or had seen in a completely different light as a child. It all made sense now.

Mum, like Thea, had access to the hunter gifts.

Celeste's mouth quite literally dropped to the floor when she witnessed mum do these crazy advanced-rotation kicks against the punching bag and then move into some high-powered ones that let her Knight strength shine through. She moved with such precision and skill that neither my sister nor I could keep our eyes off her. Seeing her in everyday life, I would never have expected someone of her age to move like that, using a beautiful and lethal combination of Karate and Taekwondo, heightened with her extra speed and strength.

"Teach me," Celeste had said in awe. And while it might take her longer to learn the magical side to the techniques, she could definitely learn the mortal versions.

An added bonus: the together time seemed like the best way to mend the relationship between my mum and younger sister.

Mum broke down the moves as much as possible and we practised what we could.

Once again, it did not come naturally to us. Celeste or myself. I at least had the advantage of all the training I'd done with the Knights. But we stuck to it for hours and it was a bonding session that I never expected, nor never thought we'd need.

"Do we have any signature powers?" I'd asked mum, recounting the gift of the Sight that Griffin's family had. Celeste looked at me like I was batshit crazy.

"Not that I know of, Cookie. I always seemed to have a natural forte for not getting hurt or avoiding attacks, until the one on my leg that caught me off-guard," she"d admitted. "But who knows what power your generation could have inherited as one of the original family bloodlines."

Luckily the properties around us were decently sized, enough that our neighbours—while directly next door—weren't too close. I wondered what odd things they'd pick up from our conversations or if they'd heard and wondered about the strange booming sounds coming from our backyard. If they did, they hadn't bothered to investigate or complain.

Following our conversations at the strategy meeting yesterday, Griff and I headed over to the pack house to train at the crack of dawn, the warm summer morning helping me get out of bed and be somewhat okay with the early start. These days, my body did seem to naturally wake up earlier than ever, given the routine it had gotten used to at the compound. My internal body clock was so different now, although I still enjoyed a sleep in whenever I got the chance.

As soon as we'd returned from the meeting, I'd raided mum's shed with Griffin's help, gathering all the equipment we thought would be helpful to bring to the pack house. The wolves obviously didn't need much to train with, usually utilising their wolf forms, but that didn't mean the human side to them didn't need to stay fit too. The fitter the human, the fitter the wolf. The extra endurance seemed to translate to both forms and aided their naturally heightened abilities.

I'd checked out their collection before heading home yesterday too and Sky showed me what they already had at the house. Mostly just some boxing equipment and a punching bag. No weapons. Their wolves were their weapons.

Once I'd raided both homes and made a list of everything we had, I"d dragged Griff to the nearest store and we picked up a few other bits and pieces, letting Kit know to bring anything else that we would not be able to buy from anywhere in Saint Claire when she arrived in a few days. Particularly the daggers, swords and speciality weapons that would raise more than a few questions from the townsfolk if we enquired about purchasing some.

Arriving at the pack house clearing now, I was surprised to find it already full. The whole wolf strategy team had clearly decided to get in on the action before they were scattered off on their respective missions and separated for God knows how long.

The large number of them didn't go unnoticed by Griff.

"Oh yay, all the reindeer are here. Let me just go get my sleigh. Be right back," he called out sarcastically to no one in particular as we walked up. I pulled his arm, keeping him moving towards them.

Seeing us arrive, River strolled towards us, embracing me in a hug.

"If it isn't Rudolf himself," Griff quipped, watching us closely and marking every placement of River's hands on my body.

Riv looked to me as if to translate. "Huh?"

"Trust me, you don't want to know," I answered, shaking my head.

Zander muttered under his breath—likely not something very friendly. Meanwhile Axel looked like he was trying very hard to hold back his amusement and the Maddox brothers actually laughed at Griffin's implication.

Weird things were happening.

Skylar stopped the combo she was doing, resting her hands on her hips while she caught her breath. She grinned, clearly amused, and called out, "Santa has nine reindeer. There's twelve of us."

"Snow dogs then?" Griffin inquired with a quirked brow.

"Usually eight," she said pointedly.

"You know, you're still proving my point by knowing the exact numbers of all the sleigh pulling animals," he drawled.

She just shook her head in response, a delighted gleam dancing in her eyes. And I loved her more for it.

"Can you maybe not annoy the only wolf that will likely tolerate you?" I questioned, giving him a stern look.

"Oh, come on, Cosmo. She loves it," he smirked, and Sky returned the sentiment before heading back to her training.

Griffin scanned their efforts with a glint in his eye, likely more than a little keen to get in on the action and possibly learn a few more tricks and techniques he didn't already know—while of course getting a chance to kick their asses. Which he'd clearly wanted to do since the moment he arrived. Probably even earlier. He'd been conspiring to do so since my early days in the compound when he'd heard about the elusive Saint Claire pack. Especially after finding out about my relationship with their Alpha and how he'd hurt me.

I let out a sigh and looked to Riv. "Can you help us get a few things from the car?"

We'd left the equipment in the Jeep, waiting to get a few of the wolves to help us carry stuff in.

"Sure." Warmth and sunshine seemed to radiate off him and he grinned happily at me. "Don't you look cute in your little training outfit," he added when he took in my black bike shorts and halter top. I had braided my long hair in two, hoping to keep it out of my way in the heat.

Speaking of heat, my cheeks did just that at his compliment.

"Thank you," I smiled demurely at him. "Not so bad yourself." It had been a while since I'd seen River's brawny build. He was in nothing but grey cotton gym shorts, his body coated in a sheen of sweat from the workout he'd already done. The fact that Zander waited nearby with almost the same appearance told me they'd been training together.

"Put a shirt on," Griff muttered in annoyance, his voice gravelly. Funny, those words coming from him.

Zander growled at him and then poked the bear by adding, "It's nothing she hasn't seen before."

Oh my god, this toxic masculinity was going to kill me.

"She's seen a lot better. Trust me," Griff retorted, earning an even more vicious growl from Zander as River's whole body seemed to go tense.

"What's wrong, dog? Want to test that theory in the ring?" Griffin taunted, catching River's shift in body language.

"Yes, actually," River replied. "I'd love to." His voice was lower than I'd ever heard it as he turned towards Griffin who was grinning like a mad man.

"Perfect." The hunter took off his own shirt, revealing the bevels of his marvellously sculpted body.

I noticed the gazes of all the females in the clearing now focused on Griff and I tried my hardest not to let that slither of jealousy I felt rising in me show.

You truly have no right, Vee.

"You guys are going to do this right now?" I squeaked, realising what was about to transpire.

"Yes." They both seemed to answer in unusual and concerning unison.

My brows raised and I looked to Sky for help. Her returning look held empathy but the shake of her head told me she had little sway when it came to the antics of wolf males.

I couldn't let this happen.

"But Riv, you said you'll help bring the stuff out," I tried, my eyes pleading with him not to do this now.

He looked at me, breaking the eye contact between him and his challenger. Seeing the expression on my face and the fear laced in my features, his own softened.

I knew that eventually they'd spar together, but it felt too soon to be just a friendly match between the Alpha and the Knight captain. They'd both bring unfiltered, raw emotions into it and I was not ready to deal with the aftermath of that. Not yet. Not between these two.

"Please,"I begged. Asking him to not give into Griffin's taunting right now.

"Okay, Vee." He turned his whole body away from Griffin's and towards mine.

"You do have a lot of ass-kissing to do to make it up to her," Griff jeered. "And not in the way I've been doing for the last four months."

River snarled at him; his golden gaze furious like I've never seen.

"Griff!" I scolded. "Stop. What the hell are you doing?" I felt my face flushing and my palms getting sweaty as I squeezed them tight, full of embarrassment and guilt and humiliation and everything all mixed into one overwhelming emotion.

He looked at me mischievously.

I knew his game. He was taunting him, using his sarcasm and condescension to push all of River's buttons. Not to mention Zander"s. The Beta was almost vibrating with the anger he was working hard to restrain.

Knowing Griff, he was probably also punishing them on my behalf, while having his fun.

Riv pulled himself away from Griffin, deciding not to deign him with a response. He walked up to me instead. "It's okay, Vee." Seeming to have fully calmed, he put his arm on my lower back and gently led me towards the Jeep. "Let's get the stuff from the car."

I nodded and Zander walked up to us, silently offering his help too but not before glaring back at Griff. The others still hadn't resumed their various forms of training but they tried to look busy now.

"Aww don't go, Zander. I can feel you checking me out from here. I know you want a piece of this," Griffin drawled and then lazily stuck his hand out, gesturing for Zan to come at him.

Zander growled, no longer able to hold in his rage. But he quickly glanced at his Alpha for approval.

River nodded at him and I saw Zander's eyes glaze over as they passed a silent message between them.

I stilled, fear coating me all over again.

But Riv gently reassured me. "Don't worry, it's just for training. Zander won't take it further, even if he wants to. Skylar and the others will cut in if they need to. We'll be back in a few minutes. Let them get it out of their system in a healthy way. They need this more than me."

"Are … are you sure that they won't hurt each other?" I stumbled out.

"Not too badly at least. They can handle it." He gently pushed me further along. "The wolves have their command from me. It'll be okay, Vee."

"What if Griff—"

River didn't let me finish. "It won't take us long to bring the stuff back, I'll get Dalton and Koda to help us so we can get it done quicker. Zander is strong enough to last a few minutes, and if Griff is getting a bit too riled up, I'm sure he'll listen to you when we return."

I had stopped to look back and River gently cupped my face, letting his warmth ease my nerves and calm me down. I wasn't so sure about his proclamation that Griffin would listen to me, but I trusted Riv. I could see how sure he was, and it settled me enough to convince me to leave them to it. They'd both dealt with way worse. Maybe River was right and they needed this.Pride at the fact that he didn't swelled in my chest.

I did everything I could to hurry along the process of unpacking the equipment, anticipation at making sure I could confirm that the two hotheads hadn't killed each other gnawing at me with every passing second.

With Dalton and Koda's help, the four of us only needed to make one trip and I was relieved to find both idiots alive but still going at each other.

They used no weapons, choosing hand-to-hand combat instead.

Everyone had stopped to watch, forming a haphazard fight circle around them, some of the wolves sitting while others stood. All of them had their eyes trained on the pair.

They threw jab after jab at each other, Zander coming at Griff again and again like a force to be reckoned with. But Griff effortlessly ducked and dodged, seeming to go with the option that would tire the Beta out.

While Zander was less strategic, his supernatural strength paired with his muscular build kept him in the game. He'd clearly been well-practised when it came to recreational boxing and I'd witnessed him train on occasion. But Griff had all those techniques and many, many more—as well as his hunter powers, which always kept him one step ahead of Zander. I mean, he was literally made to fight these creatures … and it showed.

A less stubborn and energetic wolf might not have held up this long, but no matter how many times Griff seemed to get Zander on the ground, he picked himself back up with such speed that Griffin hardly had a chance to land a blow. For once, the Gray heir did not look bored. He seemed … enthralled.

At first glance, to any unassuming spectator, the Beta would look like he'd be the obvious winner based on his sheer size in comparison to Griff. The Knight was proving that wasn't the case. Not that Griffin was small by any means. He was taller than River, with muscles I didn't even know existed so defined and chiselled that I'd wondered if he'd drawn them on. But he didn't have the burly, bulky build that River and Zander did.

Regardless, the Knight had the poor shifter in constant dead locks and used an array of feints to block essentially all of the attacks against him until Zander was puffed and slowing. But just when Griff was getting cocky that he'd worn the wolf down, Zander used a final burst of energy, aiming right at Griffin's jaw.

He saw it just in time, ducking enough that the blow scraped his chin instead of breaking the bone and knocking him down like intended. Once Zander's hand was extended past his jaw, Griff ducked low, aiming a hunter-powered punch at full strength to the Beta's gut. When Zander was bent over in pain, Griff angled himself somewhat under him, grabbed his arm and stepped in front, before pushing himself backwards, simultaneously flipping the giant male over his shoulder and to the ground.

Zander landed with a loud thud.

Griff was over him in a second, his shin on his chest pinning him down as he dealt him the blow that Zander had missed; full, and powerful, and directly to his jaw with a sickening crack.

"Zander!" I cried. But River held me back, ducking his face down to my ear. "He'll heal quickly, Vee. It's alright," he breathed out.

With Griffin still above Zander, I prepared for all hell to break loose and for Zan to lose his shit.

But instead, he laughed.

A full belly laugh until he truly was out of breath.

Griff's own face lit up as he smiled a self-satisfied, shit-eating grin before he moved off the Beta and held out his hand to help him up.

Against all odds, Zander took it and Griff pulled him to his feet. Then they did something even weirder and shook hands.

My jaw was slack with shock, my mouth hanging open and my eyes wide.

I guess Zander did need to be taken down a notch in order to respect Griffin. And vice versa; Griff needed to see Zander as a worthy opponent. I did not understand men and their pride.

"Not bad, wolf. Not bad," Griff admitted, nodding his head in approval.

"Not so bad yourself, hunter," Zander replied.

"Please, I handed your ass to you," Griffin smirked.

"You won't be so lucky next time," Zander casually threatened as he dusted off his hands. Griffin actually chuckled in response.

River clapped slowly from beside me before looking out to the rest of his gathered pack. "We clearly have a lot we can learn from the Knights. They'll be valuable guests." He turned to my fellow warrior. "Will you show us how to fight like that … Griffin?"

His name coming out of the Alpha's mouth felt a bit forced and unnatural. It was clear that River was putting his own pride aside for the benefit of his pack and the town. He was trying. Making the first initial move for peace and diplomacy. And knowing Griff, he'd need them to make that first move. I just hoped it worked and would take some of the edge off.

Griff took a step towards the Alpha and once again gave him that wicked grin that meant trouble.

His next words, though they held his usual cocky arrogance, went against the devious look on his face.

"Since you asked so nicely, River."