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WREN

That same familiar symphony hit my ears as I stepped inside Crescent Kingdom. I closed my eyes for the briefest moment to soak it all in. Gods, I needed this. To lose myself in working my muscles to the point of exhaustion. As a reminder that I could protect myself now. And to burn off a little of the energy brewing inside me at being in the presence of wolves again.

Wolves that pulled at different elements of attraction in me—dangerous attraction.

“Birdie,” a familiar British voice called.

My eyes flew open, and I nearly swallowed my tongue. Puck stood by a heavy bag, wearing nothing but sneakers, workout shorts, and boxing gloves. His tanned skin was on complete display, intricately inked artwork covering the canvas.

My gaze caught on different elements: a compass rounding his forearm, the word truth curving around it, and a scene of five wolves along his rib cage.

“You’re staring,” Puck singsonged. “Does that mean you like me?”

I jerked out of my lusty haze and glared at him. “Just in shock over that shitty form.”

“Told you that hook was getting lazy,” Kingston said as he strode across the gym toward me. He, too, wore workout shorts that hung low on his hips, but thankfully, he had on a T-shirt with the gym’s logo across the chest. “What are you doing here, Wren?”

I blinked at him a few times. “Uh, not trying to check out a library book.”

Puck chuckled and strode over to us. “She’s got you there, boss.”

Kingston’s pale-blue eyes hardened like glittering diamonds. “You took a hit to the head. You should be taking at least a week off.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “I’m fine. Trust me.”

I’d been back to one hundred percent hours later, but that wasn’t something I could tell Kingston. Instead, I lied. “He didn’t get me as hard as you thought.”

Kingston let out a low growl. It was so quiet that human ears wouldn’t have been able to pick it up, but I did. And so did my wolf. She practically preened , loving the alpha vibes clogging the air.

I had to steel myself against them because even though I’d taught myself to fight and withstand others’ dominance, my animal half was a naturally submissive wolf. It came with the ability to take on others’ emotional pain. You couldn’t do that if you were also trying to dominate them.

Kingston let out a long breath as if trying to get himself under control. “I saw Franco hit you. It wasn’t just a sparring blow. It packed heat.”

“I know myself and my body. If you want to check my pupils for a concussion, go ahead, but I’m training today.”

Puck looked back and forth between Kingston and me, a grin playing on his lips. “You can kick my ass anytime, Birdie. I volunteer as tribute.”

Kingston smacked the back of Puck’s head. “Shut up, you overgrown toddler.”

Their interaction had me fighting a smile. “While you two figure out your interpersonal dynamics, I’m going to warm up.”

I crossed to the far wall, setting my bag down and grabbing my water bottle out of it. Then I headed for an empty treadmill. I eased into a slow jog, feeling my muscles loosen as I cracked my neck. Gods, it felt good to move.

It wasn’t long before the treadmill next to me started up. My gaze flicked to the newcomer, who could’ve taken any of the other open machines, leaving space between us. Puck shot me a grin that did something to my insides.

“Decided I could use a run.”

I let out a snort that was in no way ladylike. “Has anyone ever told you that you have stalker tendencies?”

Puck chuckled as he picked up to a run. “A loveable stalker, right?”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” But I couldn’t deny that I liked his presence. His scent. His whole aura. And my wolf had been more at ease in the past twenty-four hours than over the past decade. Somehow, these men made her feel like part of a pack, even though we weren’t.

Just that simple thought sent a pang through me. And for the first time, I realized I wanted that. To belong. It might be far too risky for me to actually reach for it, but it didn’t stop me from wanting it with every fiber of my being.

“Birdie?” There was concern in Puck’s voice now.

“Oh, were you talking?” I asked, forcing humor into my voice. “I thought I heard the buzz of a gnat.”

Puck chuckled. “Not only is she violent, she’s vicious, too. I think I’m in love. ”

I scoffed, slowing the treadmill to an easy jog. “Pretty sure I saw you fall in love half a dozen times while slinging drinks today.”

“Charming,” Puck corrected. “I was charming them, not falling in love with them. Helps with the tips.”

I slowed to a walk, stretching my arms over my head. I bet it did help with tips. But I’d never mastered more than polite service in that arena. Never had with strangers.

Finally, I stopped the treadmill and hopped off. I moved my body through a series of light stretches until I heard a groan behind me. My head snapped around to find Puck staring at my ass.

I scowled at him, flipping up my middle finger. “Eyes off the goods.”

Puck just chuckled and jogged over. He reminded me of a puppy. A too-hot-for-his-own-good puppy, but a puppy, nonetheless.

“How about some partner stretching? I can help you really feel that burn?—”

“Puck,” I warned, but my head filled with all sorts of creative images. Shit.

He held up both hands in surrender. “Sorry, sorry.”

“How about I give you some real full-body contact instead?” I asked with a smirk.

Puck’s green eyes flashed gold briefly, his wolf rising to the surface. “Told you, Birdie. You can kick my ass any day of the week. Let’s spar.”

A low growl sounded just loud enough for my shifter hearing to pick up on it as Kingston moved into our huddle. “If she’s sparring with anyone, it’s going to be me.”