Page 3 of Owning His Mate

“If I used my magic, you’d learn the true meaning of pain.”

The narrowing of his eyes tells me he isn’t sure if I’m joking or not. Truthfully, I’m not sure either. The only thing that stays my hand is knowing I need these sessions to continue, and Beck might be reluctant to keep letting me get rid of all this pent-up emotion if I truly hurt him.

“You’re not here to test your magic.”

I lift my hands in front of my face, balling my fingers into fists. “Stop talking and show me what you can do.” I bounce on the balls of my feet, my eyes locked on his.

He doesn’t waste a second. Beck comes at me fast and furious. I dodge the first punch, but the second glances off my rib cage, stealing my breath from my lungs. Wheezing, I stumble back out of his path and try to drag in air, but he doesn’t give me a second.

In a flash, he’s on me again and smashes my shoulder with his meaty fist, propelling me back several steps before I’m able to recover enough to defend myself.

That’s all I can do.

He outmatches me in every way, and I don’t know how to defeat an enemy that is this much better than me without using my magic.

Once again I find myself on the mat, staring up at his face, my spine aching.

I slam a hand against the ground, frustration drawing a raw growl from my throat. This time when he offers a hand, I take it, but only because I’m so winded I don’t think I can stand without his help.

When I come upright, spots stance through my vision before I’m able to blink them clear, and I must sway because he grabs my biceps to steady me.

“That’s enough for today,” Beck says.

I shake my head. “I’m fine. Let’s go again.”

“We’re done, Apryle.”

Anger blazes through me. “That’s not your choice to make.”

“You know he’s just gonna keep kicking your ass.” Archie’s voice holds a hint of humor as he steps up to the mat. “I don’t know why you keep fighting him and expecting a different outcome.”

I glare at Beck’s brother, dragging my forearm over my forehead to wipe away the sweat. I know I’m breathing heavily while he looks as if he’s just strolled around the room before sitting with his feet up. “Maybe I’ll fight you next,” I threaten, my lips quirking at the corners. “Show you just how strong I am.”

Archie chuckles as Beck leans down to grab his water bottle again, a signal he thinks this is over. I rush at him from behind, wrapping my arms around his neck, and try to drag him back.

I almost succeed. I’m not sure if it’s the element of surprise, the angle of attack, or just pure luck, but we both fall back. The air is forced out of my lungs as his weight hits me, crushing me beneath his huge frame.

I suck in a breath as he moves so he’s straddling my hips with my wrists pinned over my head. Thrashing against him, I try to unseat him, but he doesn’t move even an inch. Tired, I slam my head against the mat and glare. This position leaves me vulnerable and completely exposed to any attack he might make.

He smirks down at me, but I notice he’s careful not to give me too much of his weight. “Are we done now?”

I roll my eyes at him. “I’m never going to get better if I don’t train.”

His brows knit together. “Why do you need to be better, Apryle? You have magic.”

I had magic when I ran from my pack, terrified they were going to tear my insides out if they caught me and I had magic when the Order found me and almost succeeded in capturing me. It was Hester that saved me then, because the truth is, I’ve always been weak and defenseless.

And I hate it.

“You don’t understand?—”

One moment, Beck is on top of me, and then his weight is gone, along with him. I barely have a second to compute what has happened before a large figure takes his place above me. Idon’t recognize him, but his scent is vargr wolf, and dominance rolls off him in such heavy waves that it brings my wolf out.

She surges to the surface, snapping her teeth before she whimpers, but not in fear. It’s as if she’s urging me to submit to this male.

Not. A. Fucking.Chance.

Everything inside me balks at the idea. I will never allow anyone to get that close to me again.

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