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Apparently I was making a spectacle of us despite my best intentions. The back door whispered open. Before I’d found the will to draw back from the kiss, Marco’s familiar chuckle carried across thelawn.
“I’m thinking we need a recap on the differences between training and makingout.”
I eased away, tipping my forehead against Serenity’s just for a moment. She sighed with what sounded like regret. We both looked up to see the other three alphas standing in aline.
“Sometimes a little of the latter can help guide the former,” I said lightly, standingup.
* * *
Ren
Ipushedmyself onto my feet and gazed back at the assembled alphas. This time, only a flicker of embarrassment warmed mycheeks.
Why shouldn’t I be kissing Aaron? Why shouldn’t the rest of them see it? I was supposed to be kissingallof them at some point or another, from what he’d said. It was practicallyfated.
Apparently all I needed was one tiny excuse and I turned into a total exhibitionist. Who would have guessed? Not any of my ex-attempted-flings, that was forsure.
“If you’ve got some better idea for unlocking the dragon in there,” I said, tapping my head, “I’m allears.”
Nate cocked his head, his expression pensive. I couldn’t look at him without picturing the huge bear that had stood in his place for a little while yesterday. His chestnut hair gleamed exactly the same shade. But the way he’d behaved toward me so far had been more teddy bear thanpredator.
“If Aaron’s strategies aren’t working, I’m not sure any of us could come up with something better,” he said. “But if there’s anything you need me to do, just sayso.”
“Maybe we should leave the shifting aside for now and find out where we can get with the powers she’s already showing,” West said, with a skeptical glance over my body. “I’d like to see what she cando.”
And what I couldn’t, his toneimplied.
I raised my chin. “Fine by me. Where do westart?”
“What were those qualities you mentioned?” West said, glancing at Aaron. “Speed, agility, and strength? Speed seems like an easy place tostart.”
“She’s not really dressed for working out,” Natesaid.
“She’s not going to get to call a time-out and go change every time she has toact.”
I brushed my hands over the silky violet shirt. I’d worn jeans through most of my exploits in the city. They felt perfectly comfortable. The blouse was light and flexible enough, just fancier than I usually bothered with. “As long as Marco doesn’t mind me possibly ruining his nice clothes, I’m good togo.”
Marco smirked. “There’s plenty to go around. I’m looking forward to seeing you in action,princess.”
“We can start simple,” West said, as if I needed coddling. “How fast can you run from one side of the yard to theother?”
“Faster than you, maybe,” I said, but he glowered at me rather than responding to the challenge. I shrugged and ambled over to the line of trees that bordered theyard.
“You don’t have to go along with this,” Natesaid.
“It’s fine.” I smiled at them all, with a little extra sharpness for West. “If it shuts him up for a few minutes, it’s a win allaround.”
Marco raised his hand to his mouth as if trying to hold in his snicker—and failing. West turned his glare on the jaguar shifter. Marco just raised an eyebrow. “You asked forthis.”
“Itwouldprobably be useful for us to know exactly where your abilities are at,” Aaron said calmly. “Are youready?”
“On your marks, get set, go,” I said, and pushed my feet off the lawn’s spongy ground. I dashed for the stretch of trees across from me, pushing all my energy into my legs, as if there was a police officer chasing after me. Or a mark who’d caught on to a theft. Or some guy who really didn’t want to take no as ananswer.
All situations I’d experienced at leastonce.
My feet pounded the grass. The warming air rushed past me. I burst past the first few trees and caught myself, spinning around. A grin split my face. That had been kind offun.
I walked back to the edge of the lawn, wiping my hands together. “All right, what’ve you gotnext?”
