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WREN

I woke to a whole new level of warmth. Warmth and grumbling.

“Your hard-on is poking me in the ass,” Puck snarled at Brix.

“Then you shouldn’t have hogged Wren last night. Sacrifices must be made,” Brix said, rolling onto his back.

“That’s better than having King kneeing you in the spleen all night,” Locke muttered.

I pushed myself up against the pillows and then burst out laughing. The five of us were taking up only about a third of the massive bed. “Why didn’t you guys spread out?”

King pushed up onto one elbow and pressed a kiss to my bare shoulder. “Because we all wanted to be close to you.”

The sentiment had my heart squeezing, but my gaze sought out Ender. He hadn’t slept with us in the bed, but he hadn’t left either. He’d opted for the couch, saying he needed his space. I’d have to take it as a win.

He sat up, holding Princess to his chest and running his free hand through his hair that hung around him in wild waves. My fingers itched to delve into it and get lost in the tangle. Princess let out a perturbed meow.

“You know Princess doesn’t like getting woken up before eight,” Ender muttered.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I cooed.

She leapt off Ender and hopped onto the bed to headbutt my chin. I giggled and cuddled her to me. “Hi, sweet girl.”

Her purrs started like a race car engine.

Puck leaned over, moving to stroke her belly. “You make her all docile?—”

The moment Puck’s fingers touched the cat’s fur, she snarled, biting and kicking his hand.

“Goddammit, Ender! What is wrong with that cat?” Puck yelled.

Ender just burst out laughing. “She has good sense. That’s all.”

“Be nice, Princess,” I chided. The kitty just licked my chin.

“Traitor,” Puck muttered.

I glanced at him. “Me or the cat?”

“You,” he clipped.

That only made me laugh. “Sorry, buddy.”

“Adding insult to injury,” he griped.

I stroked under Princess’s chin. “Okay, baby. I gotta go get ready.”

A series of growls sounded, but it was Brix who spoke. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To the gym. Franco has his bout in three days. This is our last training session.”

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” King began.

“Oh, no, you don’t,” I said, sliding to the end of the bed and putting Princess down. “You’re not going to keep me hidden in a tower for the rest of my days. If anything, yesterday should have proven I know how to handle myself.”

A muscle fluttered in Kingston’s jaw. “I know, but?—”

“No. This isn’t up for a vote. My life, my choice. And I won’t let this bullshit keep me from being a good friend.”

“Let her go,” Ender said, pushing to his feet. “We’ll be with her. And I doubt anyone will make any moves for quite a while. People are shitting their pants that The Diablos found a mate. Some people on the forums are saying supernaturals should move out of Colorado altogether just to be safe.”

I shook my head at the pride in his voice. “Feral fucking wolves.”

“Don’t drop your shoulder,” King called from ringside.

“And protect your goddamned face. Your guard is slipping,” Clyde snapped.

“Hell,” Franco muttered as he circled me. “I’ll be glad when this fight is over just so I don’t have to listen to those two.”

I snickered. “Only if you win. If you lose, you’ll never hear the end of it.”

Franco groaned. “Dammit, you’re right. Save me, Wren.”

I laughed, moving in to attempt a double-leg takedown, but Franco was too quick for me this time. He used it as an opening to sweep my legs out from under me. The second my side hit the mat, he dropped and pulled me into an armbar.

I grinned, showing my mouth guard as I tapped the floor in submission. Franco instantly released me and hopped to his feet, offering me a hand.

“Good job,” I praised, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Finally,” Juan called from the sidelines. “Only took you three years to best her.”

I chuckled as Franco flipped off his friend. Pulling out my mouth guard, I slipped between the ropes and jumped down. Puck offered me my mouth guard case while Locke handed me a water bottle. Brix and Ender just stared at me with their arms crossed.

“You let him have that one,” Ender clipped. “Even not using your shifter abilities.”

“Shut up,” I hissed, glancing over my shoulder. But Franco was huddled with King and Clyde, getting last-minute tips. “What he needs going into Saturday is confidence. So that’s what I gave him.”

Brix’s expression softened as he reached for me, pulled me to him, and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “You’re a good friend.”

“Should’ve kicked his ass,” Ender muttered.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“So, what time are we meeting up on Saturday?” Juan called, sauntering over. “I’m thinking a little pre-game at Arcane.”

I pinned him with a hard look. “No getting wasted before the fight even starts. Save it for the celebration after. We can meet there at seven, right?” I suggested, turning to the guys.

I was met with thunderous stares.

“You think going to an MMA fight when you have a bunch of heat on you is a good idea?” Ender snarled.

“Oh, no, you don’t, Mr. Pussy Palace,” I snapped.

Juan leaned over to Locke. “Did she just say pussy palace?”

“I haven’t fought this hard to stay alive to not truly live. I am going to that fight. Whether you come with me is your choice.”

Ender glared at me. “Oh, I’m going with you. And I’m going to tear out the eyes of anyone who even looks at you twice.”

Juan winced. “Note to self, wear shades to the fight.”