“Sure you're ready?” Malachi widened his stance, the girl before him doing the same, her long chestnut hair flowed into her face the wind forcing her to brush it back. She nodded at him, a smile of confidence on her face. “You’re on.”They stepped side to side circling each other. He enjoyed watching her assess, her eyes darting to watch him. Her eyes slid to his bare chest, his biceps and he couldn’t help a smirk. He flexed, just a little watching a pink tinge on her cheeks. Sidestepping, he kicked out towards her chest, knowing the one to make the first move often lost. He'd lose for her. She blocked and smacked his foot upward using her body weight to add to the block. Malachi regained his footing and laughed, “Someone's got guts!” he declared as he moved his weight between his feet. Alissa jabbed towards his stomach which he easily blocked, he realised a little too late how much strength he’d put into the block and she shook out her arm. He gave her time to refocus, feigning a fe

Alissa stared at the phone. Part of her was surprised at what Malachi had said, yet another part… wasn’t that what she wanted him to say? Didn’t she want an excuse to forgive Luca. Feel his arms around her again. Stay up late chatting about anything and everything? She missed leaving packland with him. Missed their sparring sessions. She missed how much he lifted her up, supported her, cheered her on even when she felt she didn’t much deserve being cheered on. He’d made a mistake. Done one stupid thing… like sure it was a pretty bad stupid thing. If he did it again. Anything that made her feel bad. She didn’t care abou

  “Seriously! Training! I've only got Jack out there!” Blake shouted above them, his hands on his hips, tapping his foot.  “Five more minutes.” Alissa snuggled further into Luca's chest enjoying his scent and warmth. She really didn’t want to move. She was just so comfy!  “No! Now! Get your skinny butt out there!” Blake was still shouting but he no longer sounded angry. If anything, he sounded quite proud. A low growl came from Luca, “You don't talk about your Alpha Female's butt,” he snarled, wrapping Alissa tightly in his arms, his gaze furiously on Blake’s.  “Oh so you've set the date then?” he asked unapologetically.  “Yep! Harvest Moon. I hope the goddess smiles on us.” Alissa pushed

“Wakey wakey!” Light pierced through Alissa's closed eyes as the sound of curtains being pulled back insulting her ears so early in the morning. “Ew, Luca cover up.” Movement under Alissa alluded to the fact her pillow was Luca. “Ugh Kristen what are you doing?!” Luca shifted Alissa from his chest and sat up. Alissa also sat up rubbing her eyes “You, dear brother, need to go get your suit. We need to go dress shopping!” Kristen's excitable voice was at least an octave higher making the couple in bed flinch.  “And why… Can I ask… are you getting us out of bed at six thirty!?” Alissa cried looking at the clock “Well, you need breakfast and the dress shop opens at eight!” Alissa groaned and flopped back down hiding under the covers “We didn't get to

A spring poked into her hip. The scratchy, threadbear covers under her fingertips. Footsteps echoed up her steps, her head swam in fear. Her heart pounded so hard and her stomach lurched. She was going to be sick but she couldn’t or that would be something else to clean. Had she not been beaten enough that day? Her hands shook as she grabbed the dress beside her, bundling it beneath the sheets to hide it. It was all she had to wear for the next day. She just ensured it was completely hidden with no lump in the sheets as she heard someone outside her door. The door creaked open, the hinges much louder  than she thought they should be. They were shrill in her ears. A body slipped through the crack the door had opened. “Jack,” she breathed a sigh of relief, his slender but strong frame contrasted Mic