Nolan scoffs with a heavy sneer. “Try hunted down and killed if he doesn’t leave pack territory-- which is the whole state of Oregon, by the way.”
“And everyone is just okay with this?” I cry, horrified of not only what Connor faces but the sad acceptance my friends have over it. My hands curl into fists, and there’s a sharp bite of my nails digging into my palms.
“No, everyone isnotokay with this,” Donovan growls, rolling up off the floor. He flips his hair out of his eyes, showcasing a growing bruise on his jaw. “But the piece of shit Alpha is the law within the pack.”
“And no one stops him?” I snap back, rage boiling in my belly. There’s a gust of harsh wind that smacks against the windows.
Nolan grabs my shoulders and turns me so I have to look into his artic blue eyes. “Callie, you have your warrior witch look, and we need you to calm down. Destroying my house won’t help Connor.” He releases a weighty breath, his sharp features stretched with bitterness. “We would love to go over there and fuck up the Alpha for what he’s doing, but we can’t. Connor literally begged us not to-- for his safety as well as ours.”
“There’s more to this isn’t there?” I whisper, feeling heartbroken and helpless, as the breeze outside stills.
Nolan pulls me into a hug, my head pressed against his smooth, hard chest. His heart beats wildly in my ear, and with me this close, I can smell the hint of engine grease that seems to cling to him regardless if he’s actually touched an engine recently.
“Yeah, but it’s Connor’s story to tell,” he murmurs into my hair, his arms wrapped tight across my shoulder blades and waist. “You need to understand that pack business is as complicated and dangerous as witch business, maybe more, and there’s no forgiveness for the ignorant. We just have to do what we can to help him when he’s with us.”
“And if that means he has to beat the crap out of Donovan once a week, then that’s the sacrifice we are willing to make,” Felix chimes in, forever able to pull us back from the edge.
I step back from Nolan, his embrace taking a moment before fully releasing me, and I kind of sniff-laugh in response.
“Thanks,” Donovan grumbles at Felix, walking over and using his towel to wipe down his chest. His knuckles are bruised on top of the growing collection all over his body. “Man, I really thought I had him when I knocked him on his back.”
“Connor’s always been difficult to pin down,” Kaleb comments, his gaze distant like he’s replaying the fight in his mind. “I’d recommend trying for choke hold submissions verses heavy punches to the head.”
“Yeah, you say that, but the last time I tried, I ended up with several broken fingers,” Donovan counters, flexing his hand like he can still feel it.
“Then use your legs next time,” Kaleb replies like it should be obvious.
I take it all back. They’re as crazy as I am.
Donovan rolls his eyes before looking over at me. “I’m going to rinse off real fast, then I’ll be back to help you. We’ll go through some punches, kicks, and throws, so in the future, when you’re cursing my name for making you do 100 reps of shin kicks to the heavy bag over there, you’ll remember what it’s all for.”
“Great,” I squeak, pulling on the sleeves of my sweater.
Donovan chuckles. “Don’t worry. We have protective gear around here somewhere, and it’ll be a while before you even attempt what you just saw.”
“That’s good,” I reply with one raised brow. “Still not looking forward to 100 reps of kicking a heavy bag. Having superhuman healing doesn’t mean I’m even remotely in shape.”
“And that’s 100 reps on each leg, by the way,” he adds with an evil wink before sauntering out of the gym.
“Fantastic,” I groan.
Rolling on his toes, Felix grins while pointing out, “Remember, you volunteered for this.”
I squinty glare at him, because what else am I going to do? He’s a ghost.
“I think I’m also going to shower, then see if I can put together something for lunch,” Kaleb says, his stance more relaxed than before and his grip loose around the towel.
Confused, I look over at Nolan. “I thought you had a personal chef?”
“During the week,” he answers simply, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Not that we have a huge staff, but all of them get weekends off. My parents felt that we should be able to function through at least two days on our own-- though we often eat out those days.”
I giggle over his self-deprecating smirk, and Kaleb shakes his head as he walks out of the room, leaving just me, Felix and Nolan.
The music shifts to a fast-paced electronica song that sounds almost hopeful, as the vocalist sings of the war of life raging on, calls on their fellow for help, and how together they’ll survive the trials. My heart warms, because if there was ever a song that symbolizes the guys, this is it.
“So, are you actually going to work out, or are you staying for the show?” Felix teases, lacing his fingers behind his head.
“D said he’ll need me to help with Callie’s training,” he replies, casually shifting his weight to one side. “He didn’t specify how, which has me worried. I need this face preferably not covered in bruises.”
