Page 69 of Teeth To Rip & Tear

“Yes, it was, though next time, it may well be a Hydra.” Mitchell’s brows arched.

“Those exist?” I frowned, trying to think of all the monsters from films and fairytales and wondering which ones were real.

“I train the new recruits. It reduces the risk of fatality.” He stated.

“Fatality?” I echoed, my voice growing more high-pitched.

“I can teach you how to protect yourself. You need more muscle definition—” He added, reaching for my arm.

I snatched my hand away, stepping back. “Mitchell—”

He closed his eyes and took a deep, steadying breath. “You smell like Kaleb.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Do you think Dean—”

“Do you intend to fuck every single wolf in my pack?” Mitchell laughed bitterly.

Hurt slashed through me; Mitchell must have seen it on his face because his lips turned down at the edges. “I don’t mean to be hurtful. I like you, Mallory. You’re fucking funny, even if you don’t realize it. You’re beautiful. Just... Don’t think you only have a place among us, on your back, you know?”

“I like Dean. And Kaleb.” I snarled.

Mitchell held my gaze. “Kaleb bit you, didn’t he?”

I hid my wrist behind my back, though I knew he’d already seen the scar.

If he was insulted by my silence he didn’t show it. “You can train with the other women. If you’re worried about males.”

“I’m not worried about men.” I snapped, and before he could speak, I turned on my heel and marched away.

It seemed I was doing a lot of that lately.

I needed some alone time.

Though I had been married, Joel had worked grueling hours, and most of my time had been spent home alone, entertaining myself.

I wasn’t used to being surrounded by so many people.

As I marched through the kennels, my bad mood was a black cloud over my head.

When I finally got to my room, everything was as I left it, even with the door unlocked in my absence.

I hadn’t realized I’d left Dean with my bags from the market until I found the hessian sack on the end of the bed. Guilt made my stomach twist.

I pushed my fingers through my knotted hair and approached the bed.

I pulled the items from the bag, finding a place for each in a barren room.

I finally reached the bottom of the bag and noticed an unfamiliar velvet pouch. I opened the drawstring and found a dozen sewing needles and a rainbow of embroidery floss. I tried to remember if I had bought them, but I knew I hadn’t. I’d been stood with Mitchell, so I knew it wasn’t him.

Deanhad gone behind my back to get me a gift.

Warmth filled my body, from my cheeks to my fingertips. I pulled the threads between my fingers and marveled at the quality.

How had he known?

Excitement coursed through me for the first time in days, and a smile pulled my tight cheeks. I ripped off my cotton top and laid it over my legs, imagining all the flowers I’d seen and how to embroider them on the plain and baggy fabric.

I might not have been able to protect myself, I might not have been able to fight or hunt, but I could sew.

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