Page 37

ENDER

Today had been pure and utter torture—and in every way imaginable. Watching Wren push herself to the point of exhaustion. Watching her endure physical and emotional pain. But she never stopped. She was too damn strong for that.

But worse? I’d had to watch my brothers touching her.

The way Brix’s expression went soft as he leaned in to whisper encouragements in her ear.

How King held her hand for just a beat longer than necessary when he pulled her to her feet.

Puck’s lingering kisses and the way his fingers tangled in her hair.

How Locke wrapped her in his arms, giving her a place to rest.

I hated them all for it. And they were my brothers . My family of choice. But my wolf was so jealous he wanted to rip them limb from limb. And my human half wanted to join him.

My back teeth ground together as I gripped my bo staff. Sparring was exactly what I needed, and maybe simply being in Wren’s presence would help my wolf get himself in check.

“You trying to give me a black eye or a broken nose?” Wren clipped.

“You should always be aware of your surroundings. Expect the unexpected.”

Wren let out a low growl as she stalked toward the fight ring. “If that’s a pep talk, you might want to take some lesson from Princess.”

Annoyance flitted through me. Even my damn cat was in love with Wren. The worst part? I didn’t blame her or any of them.

My fingers tightened around the staff. “You don’t need my coddling. You have four other mates for that.”

A variety of growls lit the air, and I knew King would likely kick my ass later for the comment. But I’d welcome it, anything to distract me from the clawing need pulling me down to hell.

“I’ll show you coddling,” Wren muttered.

She struck out with her staff, connecting with mine in a surprising show of force. My lips twitched. My kitten was feisty.

We circled each other, striking with testing jabs. Gods, she was a vision. One I could watch for eternity and never get tired. Wren was so damn petite, but every inch of her packed a punch that showed just how strong she was.

Her staff hit mine with a force that had me stumbling back a step.

“You’re losing your touch, End,” Puck called. I didn’t miss Brix’s snicker of agreement. Assholes.

I focused, increasing my speed. The moment my bo hit Wren’s, I was already moving to the next strike. She cursed, fighting to keep up with me. Her chest heaved in her tempting workout tank, the swells beneath it rising and falling with each pant.

“You can’t let your fatigue get the best of you,” I gritted out as one of my hits nearly took Wren down.

She bared her teeth at me. “Next time, you have to do all the other training with me. Then we’ll spar.”

“She has a point,” Locke yelled. “It’s not exactly fair.”

My lip curled as I executed a spin move and took Wren by surprise. “Life isn’t fair. You and your opponent will never go through the exact same things on the exact same day.”

Wren grunted as my staff clipped her ribs. “What are you, some life coach guru?”

Puck snickered, and I sent him a glare. It was just a split second of distraction, but Wren didn’t let it go to waste. Her staff struck my lower back, and I let out a pained grunt. But she showed no mercy. Instead, she pressed on the back of my knee until I started to go down.

But I wasn’t about to let the little kitten win. I dipped into a forward roll, then sprang up and spun around.

“What the hell?” Wren muttered.

I was already on her, my staff about to come down hard on her shoulder. She spun and lifted her bo to block at the last second.

“Good,” I praised. “Maybe there’s hope for you yet.”

She scowled at me, my patronizing words only stoking her anger and fueling her fire for battle.

“Use it,” I growled. “Whatever your opponent throws at you, let it fuel you for the fight to come.”

“Well, I’d say you give me plenty of fuel with your assholery,” Wren shot back as she swung her bo in an arc of beauty. The move wasn’t textbook, but that was part of what made it work. It was surprising, just like her.

The blow hit me in the shoulder, the pain stunning me for a moment. Wren didn’t wait. The staff swung around and swept my legs out from under me. My back hit the mat with a force that shoved all the air from my lungs, and then Wren had the end of her bo pointed right at my throat.

“Yield,” she growled.

My eyes flared, and my dick hardened. Fuck. She was stunning.

“You forgot one thing,” I rasped.

Wren arched a brow. “And that is?”

“It’s not over till it’s over.” I grabbed her staff and yanked it hard, throwing her off-balance.

I pulled Wren to the mat and then rolled on top of her, pressing a forearm to her throat.

We were close—so close the scent of wildflowers and rain was all around me.

So strong I swore I could taste it on my tongue.

“Yield,” I whispered against her lips.

Wren’s turquoise eyes flashed silver. “Never.”

“That could get you dead in the wrong circumstances.” But damn if I didn’t admire the hell out of it.

“So be it.” She met my gaze, nothing but defiance in her stare.

Gods, I wanted to kiss her. To know what her skin tasted like. To bury myself so deep inside her it would brand her for all eternity.

Fucking hell.

I was off Wren faster than she could blink, jumping to my feet and stalking toward the gym door. I needed a cold shower.