Page 41 of Glitched Fates & Stolen Mates

Self-defence training. With Kit. Starting Monday.

I groaned and let my head fall back against the wood with a soft thunk.

I pulled out my phone and started browsing for security cameras, but my mind kept drifting. Kit’s massive hands teaching me how to block a punch. Him getting exasperated when I couldn’t do it properly. Kit’s entire body pressed against mine as he demonstrated proper defensive positioning.

I wanted to cry. This was going to be a disaster.

Kit’s name popped up at the top of my screen. I was already groaning before I even tapped on the notification.

Kit

I forgot to say, if you need me, ring me, and I’ll come right back. Don’t worry if it’s the middle of the night. I’ll be there as quick as I can.

I stared at the message for an eternity, wondering what to reply. Eventually, I settled for the thumbs-up emoji.

Nice and simple.

That was the appropriate response, surely.

Right?

Right?!

13

Kit

Ispent the weekend punishing myself.

Saturday morning, I ran twenty miles without stopping—twice my usual limit. No water breaks, only pushing myself until I finally cracked, dry-heaving in a ditch somewhere near Croydon.

Sunday, I skipped meals. Sat in my flat staring at the wall, replaying that moment when Felix spotted me lurking outside his building like a predator. Because that’s what I was, wasn’t I? A predator stalking innocent prey.

Such a bloody fool.

I’d been creeping closer and closer to his flat on each of my visits, trying to get a better view. But Friday night, I’d stepped fully into the open, abandoning the concealment of the bus stop. My wolf had been restless—we hadn’t seen him yet, and I’d wanted a better chance of catching a glimpse of him.

Pathetic.

At least he hadn’t seen my face. My hood had saved me from that humiliation. Though I’d had to jog half a mile back to my motorbike afterwards to stash my coat before I went to his flat, terrified if he saw me in that coat he’d clock it was me.

I’d really frightened him. Had been frightening him for God knows how long.

It was laughable, but I truly didn’t think he’d noticed me before. I was a professional, after all. A wolf. We were built for silent stalking, for moving unseen through shadows. I’d tracked enemy combatants across hostile terrain without detection. How had I gotten so sloppy with Felix?

Because he made me lose my bloody mind, that’s how.

Oh, why didn’t I stop after the bin incident? That should have been a wake-up call.

Now he was jumping at shadows, calling Seb in a panic, probably terrified out of his mind. All because of me. His mate. The person who was supposed to protect him had become the thing he needed protecting from.

Self-loathing churned in my gut like acid. I’d failed in the most fundamental way possible—I’d traumatized the one person I was meant to keep safe.

And the worst part? I’d been rewarded for it.

Seb had handed me exactly what I’d been craving for two years. Quality time with Felix. Regular, scheduled contact. Training sessions where I’d have permission to be close to him, to touch him, to put my hands all over his body in the name of self-defence.

My wolf practically purred at the thought.