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Donovan stopped his bouncing. “You’re not going to beat me.”
I grinned. “Maybe not, but it’ll be fun to try.” And if I could hold my own against him, then maybe, just maybe I could start gaining some approval in the pack.
Donovan lunged toward me and I slid to the side. It was on. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, but he’d still push me.
I threw a series of punches at him, trying to break through his guard, but he batted my fists away easily. On my last punch, he grabbed my wrist, yanking me forward.
Before he could put me in a hold, I arced into an aerial. The force of my motion with my whole body weight was enough to yank my wrist free.
I smiled at the muttering from the pack, but only had a split-second before Donovan started at me again.
Donovan kicked. I caught his ankle and twisted, sending him spiraling to the ground. He hit the stone with a heavy thud. I was pretty sure I heard a “Jay-sus” in the back of the room.
Donovan rolled to his back and grinned up at me. “I should really have mats installed.”
“You think?” I wiped a little bit of sweat off my forehead with my shirt. “This room isn’t doing you any favors.”
Donovan kipped up. “Let’s get it sorted right away. I’ve a guy we can call.”
I stepped back, raising my hands up to be ready for whatever Donovan threw at me next. “Good.”
With that, Donovan attacked again. Kick. Kick. Jab. He’d throw them, I’d block them.
Every time I managed to get a hit on him, more and more people joined in to cheer me on. It gave me a nice rush. Thirty minutes later, Donovan had me pinned. I’d built up a good sweat, but it was over. It was the same pin I’d used on Max. I was flat on my stomach, my cheek pressed against the stone. Donovan had my arm wrenched in an impossible position behind my back, and his knee was digging into my spine.
I couldn’t help but laugh. At the sound, his arms relaxed, and he bent down to brush a kiss across my forehead. “We need to work on your offense. You’re good with defensive moves, but you don’t plan ahead.” He pulled me up. “You don’t press me.”
I shrugged. “Agreed. I’m all about defense. Especially when fighting against someone stronger.”
“But if it’s someone stronger, you’ll need to fight smarter.”
Fair enough, but I wasn’t sure how to do that and not get my ass kicked.
“I’ll show you how.” He rolled off of me and rose to his feet before holding out a hand. I didn’t need any help getting up, but it was nice that he offered.
“That was impressive,” a voice said, and suddenly, I was aware again. The audience had fallen away while we were fighting. I’d heard them cheering occasionally, but ignored them. Sparring with Donovan took one hundred percent of my focus.
There were more Weres now. Almost the entire pack must have been watching us. Some faces were shocked and others were mad. Some looked impressed and pleased, while even more were… I’d call it unhappy.
But at least I’d won over half of them.
Ian came up to me. “I don’t believe it.”
I shrugged. “I’m a Wayfarer. Plus, I’ve been training with Donovan pretty much all the time for the last few weeks. And while he was gone to Canada, I had my older brothers on my ass, twenty-four seven.” I wiped sweat from my brow. “I wasn’t half this good a month ago.”
“That’s a lie,” Donovan said. “I can’t teach that in a year, let alone a month. She’s better than most Weres I’ve come across but has yet to realize it.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.” He was talking me up to them. That wasn’t true.
I’m not lying.
You don’t have to say that. We’re already mates.
It’s the truth. I swear it.
Part of me wanted to believe it, but I was used to being around so many amazing fighters that it was a little hard.
A couple guys came up to talk to Donovan, and I stepped aside, scanning the floor to find my hoodie. It fit perfectly to my body without being too tight, and it was cashmere. I’d never find another like it. Throwing it on the ground in a packed room might not have been my best call.
