AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I couldn’t. I was attacked from behind this time.”
He sighs. “Fine. We’ll work on that next.” When I clap, he glares again. “Next week.”
“But—”
“NO BUTS, NORA. You are not training this week. Do you want to kill yourself? You may think you feel fine, but your body needs time to recover and regenerate.”
I get what he’s saying, but I honestlydofeel fine. I’m not just saying that. I feel like I’ve been speed healing. I’m stronger today, recovered. I can’t explain it, but IswearI’ve healed. Still, there will be no convincing Rook.
“Fine. No training. I guess I’ll see you next week.”
I stomp out of the gym. I’m being a brat, but I can’t help it. I was almost killed twice, and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it. That’s not a great feeling.
I don’t get far before Rook calls out to me. “Nora, wait.”
I whirl around, hopeful. “Yes?”
Rook is staring at me, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, you’re already here,” he says. I think this means he’s giving in, and my face lights up. “Damn it, woman, don’t look at me like that. We’re not training.” And cue my face fall…and his sigh. “I was just going to say that since you’re here, you might as well stay for a while. If you want, we can walk—slowly—over to my place, and I’ll cook you a steak.”
Every wolf in the gym—and there are a large handful—gasps. I frown at all their gawking. Why is that so weird? Is it because I’m human? Wulf said shifters generally like humans. And it’s true they aren’t glaring—well, one woman is—but the other men aren’t. They’re just shocked. I decide to ignore them, and I pat my stomach. “Thanks. I could use the walk, but you don’t have to cook for me. I already ate lunch.”
Rook smiles, seeing that I’ve given up my pouting. “You need the protein. Think you can eat more?”
Well, if he’s going to continue to offer…I grin. “I can always eat more. Especially if it’s a nice, juicy steak.”
He matches my smile and cocks his head toward the gym exit. I fall into step beside him, and we both ignore the stares as we head out of the clubhouse at a casual stroll.
Rook passes me his track jacket the second we set foot outside. He’d told me to come for my sessions in shorts and a sports bra so that I could move easier and he could see the way I was moving my body. He swore it was a training thing. But I flat-out refused, and we compromised on stretchy yoga pants and a clingy T-shirt, so that’s what I’m wearing right now. I accept his jacket happily and zip it up to my chin.
It’s a nice day—sunny—but it’s a little chilly. Fall is in full swing, and if Michigan has a best quality, it’s fall. The air is crisp, and the trees are in full autumn bloom. The entire compound is a canvas of vibrant greens, oranges, yellows, and reds.
The walk is revitalizing, and just what I need. Rook must see how much I’m enjoying myself, because he walks in silence, allowing me to take it all in. He’s a very comfortable walking companion.
In the silence, my phone chimes at me. I have a feeling I know who it is, and I don’t want to talk to him, so I ignore it. Rook cuts me a sideways glance, and I just shrug. He lets it go without comment.
We pass through most of the community, and the gasps, stares, and whispers keep coming from every wolf we pass. You’d think they’ve never seen Rook with a girl before, but the guy is freaking hot. And nice. And dominant. Which I know is big in the werewolf world. Wulf claimed Rook doesn’t date, but I have a hard time believing heneverdates.
Rook lives on the very outskirts of the community next to the river and up against the park. His home is a modest one-story, light gray with blue trim and shutters, and he has a sprawling lawn. There are no fenced yards in the compound, so I can see a giant wooden deck built off the back of the house that wraps around the side.
Instead of going inside, he leads me around the side of the house and up the steps onto the deck. I whistle. The deck is huge and has a view of both the river and the park. He’s got a grill and a patio table in one corner and a set of couches around a built-in fire pit. It’s anicedeck. “Wow. You’ve got quite the spread here.”
He grins, not a shred of humility. “Thanks. I built it myself. I don’t like to be indoors much.”
“Youbuiltthis?”
Now he does shrug modestly. “I’m good with tools.”
He turns on the grill and then disappears into the house through a wide sliding glass door. I take a seat on one of the couches, and seconds later he calls out, “I have red wine, beer, Coke, milk, and water.”
“Water or Coke is fine, thanks!”
“The fire pit’s gas. There’s a switch on the side, if you want a fire.”
I’ve never seen an actual gas fireplace, so I turn on the fire. I can’t believe it dances to life literally as easy as the flip of a switch. It’s somehow not warm the way a wood fire is, and it doesn’t smell like one, but it’s still pretty, so I sit back and stare into the flames.
My phone dings again. I break down and look at the messages. Sure enough, they’re both from Parker.
Parker: I understand you’re angry with my clan, but I really need to speak with you. Will you at least call me?
