Page 86 of Second Chance Mates

How did you do that?

Less talking, more running.

I roll my eyes. Bossy.

Once I make it to the end of the trail and we’re back in the clearing, I press my hands to my knees and breathe as deeply as possible. Jaxon tried to mask some of the stabbing motions in my lungs, which I am eternally grateful for—I doubt I would have finished otherwise. I definitely need more training sessions to improve my stamina before I’m puking up my guts.

You okay? he asks.

I raise my thumb in a “good” gesture whilst I fight for my life.

“Okay, good warm up,” Jaxon shouts, and everyone turns deathly silent. “We’re going to do some light sparring to start, and later, we can get into some physical contact.”

My eyes widen. Physical contact?

Don’t worry. I won’t let you do anything you’re not ready for. Light sparring will be enough for today.

I gulp back my sudden wave of anxiety. Okay. Sure.

Have more faith in yourself. This is practice, remember? The pack aren’t enemies; we all want each other to do better.

I let his words ease me. He’s right. They train for a reason, not to hurt each other.

I listen as they’re split into pairs whilst the rest of the pack facilitates the sparring. My eyes immediately float to Jaxon as he teams up with Kayden, both of them smirking at each other with their dominant personalities. I’m not entirely sure what sparring should look like, but once they start going for each other, I realise it’s less serious than I imagined.

Their laughter filters through the air, along with playful insults as they throw punches and dance around each other. It doesn’t take long until both of them are dripping in sweat. There are a few close calls, but no blood to be seen.

Jaxon strips off his T-shirt, leaving his abs on full display. Kayden does the same, but I barely notice him. My eyes travel down Jaxon’s long torso and rippling muscles. His sweat gleams off the sun, biceps bulging and his broad shoulders rolled back but ready for action.

His chest heaves as he catches his breath, droplets rolling down his tanned skin. His hair is tousled and messy. They’re both covered in dirt as they continue to joke around light-heartedly. Goddamn. My body begins to tighten.

There is a sharpness in my crotch, and I shift to relieve the pressure building unexpectedly. The feeling is so alien that my forehead aches from how hard I’m forcing my brows together. I close my eyes to gather these erratic thoughts.

My mouth parts as I attempt to calm down. I can’t believe this is happening to me right now of all places. I whimper when my thighs roll together, and I finally look back to Jaxon, who is wrestling with Kayden against the dirt.

A part of me wants to be disgusted for having such thoughts, but then I remember back to a session with Gemma when I asked about female pleasure. She reassured me that having any sexual thoughts shouldn’t be seen as shameful—despite what I might have been told in the past.

Every woman has a right to pleasure, whether that be sexual or not.

I tell myself to ignore this sudden rush of fire. I can speak to Gemma once this training session is over—she will help me dive deeper into the cause.

A girl beside me begins to fan herself as she watches Jaxon and Kayden fight. I narrow my eyes as she bites down on her lip and releases a whimper. My face twitches at the sight of her gaze on Jaxon—she’s no better than me, but it triggers a wildfire in my heart.

An unsettling feeling ripples through my stomach, and I hate that it tastes like jealousy. Her eyes flare with excitement every time Jaxon throws Kayden down onto his back. I tighten my fists at my sides and find my entire body vibrating.

Time is called for the first groups of sparrers, and Kayden calls out the next pairs. I stand back as they weave in and out of the clearing. “Ava,” he shouts. “You’re up.”

My eyes widen, not expecting to be next. Jaxon appears at my side. “It’ll be okay,” he says, and I glance at his sweaty stomach. “It’s sparring, not actual fighting.”

“Right,” I whisper with a nod.

“Hey, Alpha Jaxon,” the girl calls over to him. “Nice fight.”

Jaxon releases a long breath. “Thanks, Rachel.”

Rachel. Rachel?

He turns his attention back to me and gives me a quick wink. “You got this.”

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