Page 75 of Alpha Mates

“I think you enjoyed that a little too much at the end, Jewels,” he chides as he combs his hair back.

“You’re the one who told me to have fun.”

“And did you?” he asks, with sudden hopefulness.

“I did,” I say, and our bond warms. “Thank you, Aiden.”

He beams, radiant, and Goddess have mercy, I’ll never get tired of seeing that.

“Anytime,” he replies, before he stands and offers me a hand. “Now, let’s get to sparring.”

“Arms up!” Aidan barks, and a Black Moon wolf obeys just in time to block the incoming blow aimed for his temple. “Good,” he commends, before we carry on, walking between the matched pairs. Leaning close, he whispers, “Your wolves’ defence is shit.”

“We’re fast,” I counter, watching a young girl from my pack make a fool out of one of Aiden’s bulkier warriors. “Agile. Thoughtful.”

“Cocky, too,” he mutters. “Don’t drop your guard!” he shouts for her, and my warrior scoffs, ignoring him completely. It’s to her own detriment because the next time she uses one of her kick combos, the bulky man grabs her leg mid-air and uses it to slam her on the ground.

“Next time, listen,” I tell her, helping her up.

“Good job, Tryn,” Aiden commends the man, and my brows twitch. He’s not the first one he’s called by name. In fact, there hasn’t been a wolf from his pack that he hasn’t, while I can barely name ten of my own. Shame pricks, but it sparks a clear purpose—to learn as many of my wolves’ names as I can.

“Okay,” I admit as we carry on, winding through the many fighting pairs, “we’re a bit proud, but we can work on that.”

“And I think we can learn how to be a bit faster on our feet,” he replies with a nod. I return the gesture, my heart swelling in my chest.

That’s another thing, Aiden is so focused out here. It’s not like I haven’t seen this side of him since the coronation, but it’s never been like this—unwavering and undeniably devout to the task at hand. He likes being out here with his wolves, likes helping them even more.

It makes working with him easy and enjoyable, and for all my earlier reluctance, I almost don’t want the session to end. But all too soon, our allotted time runs out.

“Ready to wind things down?” Aiden asks at my side.

“Yeah,” I say, scanning the heaving mass of wolves, their musk bittering the open air. “We’ve done a lot, and they’re exhausted.”

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Aiden cups the back of his ear, blinking owlishly. “Did you just agree with mewithoutinsulting me?”

“Please die,” I mumble.

“Ah, there he is,” he says, making me smile before I shout for everyone’s attention.

Those fighting stop their skirmishes with noticeable relief, while others crash to catch their breaths and steal a sip of water.

“You all did extremely well today, especially since this is the first time you’ve trained with another pack,” I state with honest pride. I mean to end there, but decide to try something a bit more Aiden’s style. “I’d like to think we also had a good time?”

“Downward dog!” someone shouts, spurring whistles towards Aiden, who flips them all off.

“I’ll happily take that as a yes,” I chuckle, and my mate flips me off too. I shake my head, before wrapping it up. “Head home and get some rest. Again, good job, everyone.”

As some collapse to the ground and others break off into conversations with newly made friends, Aiden tugs at my arm, practically dragging me away from the field.

“Hey!” I protest, pulling him back. “We have to make sure everything is alright before we go.”

“Emitt and Beckett will handle that, won’t you guys?” The pair throw us thumbs up, and Aiden tugs me after him. “We’re going to go to your new place and relax. We’re done for the day.”

“But—”

“But nothing, Jewels,” he says with a shove that forces me a few steps in front of him. I stumble before righting myself on the path that leads into one of the pack’s larger lanes. “You’ve done enough today, and for the last few days, so I’m kidnapping you until further notice.”

“But what about—”