Page 17 of Don't Fae With Dragons

“I’m still sore,” Port grumbles beside me. “Can we take it easier today?”

I smack him on the back of the head and he shouts out in pain. I roll my eyes at his dramatic response as I say, “No, godsdamnit, we won’t take it easier today! We are entirely unfit for combat of any kind, and though Cory has our backs, I haveno intention of moping about like a helpless maiden while he defends us. We are alphas are we not?”

Port tuts. “The helpless maiden trope is a bit played out, don’t you think?” he asks. I groan in exasperation and punch him in the shoulder. “Ow!” he yells again, “I’ll show you alpha behavior,” this time punching me back.

I brush off his light hit and groan. “Is thisreallythe time to discuss the semantics of maiden and alpha plights? No? Great, then can we get to work?” Without waiting for a response, I lift Port up by the arms and move to stand a few paces away from him.

He sighs, but readies himself for hand-to-hand sparring nonetheless. I fasten my gloves as he does the same, strapping the leather a bit tighter as he shakes his head softly.

“What?” I ask, folding my hands over my chest.

He smiles endearingly, briefly glancing up at me. “You’re funny when you get all worked up.”

“Oh, am I?” I ask, already irked by his teasing.

“You certainly are,” he laughs, smirking charmingly. I feel my face heat up with irritation at his blatant mockery, and I roar as I charge for him. “Oh, I’m in a fix!” he screams as he tries to dodge.

He’s slender and more agile than me, but this time I’m too fast, and I slam into him with a force, sending us both rolling on the cold, damp ground. My alpha instincts of dominance and control are out to play. I straddle him, pinning his arms down with my knees as I punch him squarely in the shoulder.

“Ow!” he cries out, still laughing.

I point a finger menacingly in his face and say, “To be clear, I could have kicked your ass just now. And I’mnotworked up. You justaggravateme.” I tap his nose with my finger, a small, taunting gesture, and I realize as I catch my breath that I’m still straddling him. I grunt in annoyance as he laughs at my flushed face, and throw myself off him. I stand hurriedly, turning away to brush myself off – and hide my stupid, stupid blushing.

“Max.”

“What?” I say, flustered, as I whirl around.

Port laughs, his own cheeks redder than they were a moment before, and motions to himself. “A hand, if you will?”

I smirk and walk to help him up. “What, you couldn’t manage by yourself?”

“I just wanted a little help.” He smiles, raising an eyebrow. “Is that such a bad thing?”

“Oh, quit teasing me,” I beg, waving my hand to brush him off.

His grin wavers a bit as he spins me around to face him. “We can train, Max. We can work our butts off getting back in shape, getting ready to fight. But I want you to truly accept Cory’s offer to help. Alright?”

“I already have, Port.”

“No–” he continues “–it’s not just that. I want you torelax. Not let your guard down entirely, of course. Just ... maybe don’t be so hard on yourself all the time.”

I stare at him, weighing his words.

He takes my hand in his and stares right back. “We’ll have each others’ backs. Okay?”

“Alright.”

“You mean it?” he presses on.

I force a smile, then nod. “I do.” This is the other side of the alpha instincts coming out. I want Port to feel safe, and being in this pack will do that.

Just as Port claps me on the back, we both catch wind of a stranger’s scent; it’s floral, but masculine, and strangely ... dark. As if it were the air of a dangerous secret, breathed hastily out in a tense moment. We’ve smelled it a few times, only ever mentioning to each other in passing. I turn to face Port as his brows furrow, and his full lips purse in thought.

“What do you think?” I ask.

He just shakes his head, and goes to grab his short sword. “I don’t like it. Not at all. We should get back to the cinder cone and see if Cory’s sensed it, too.”

I scoff. “You think it’s someone dangerous enough to interrupt our entirely secluded, inconspicuous, private training practice?”

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