Page 33 of In Plain Sight

Her forehead crinkled and she looked a little confused before I saw the resolve set in.

“Fine, but go easy on me, my muscles are already beginning to rebel and they say day two after a new workout is always the worst.”

“There’s some truth to that, but day three, four, and so on will be a lot easier if you don’t stop, and actually train your muscles properly.”

She got into position next to me without a fuss, and side by side we walked through the motions, slowly at first, then picking up speed with each round.

Peyton wandered out at some point and started watching us.

“What are you doing?” she asked in between sets.

“Bran thinks I fight like a girl and need to be able to fend for myself, so he’s teaching me self-defense,” Ruby said.

“Can I do it, too?” Peyton asked. “I’ve been practicing a little on my own using some YouTube videos, but it would be nice to have a partner to actually practice with.”

“Pey, is everything okay?” Ruby asked sounding very concerned.

“It’s fine, just something that’s been weighing on me. I mean, we studied basic challenge moves and combat as pups, but then we heard about everything Maddie went through, and Lily was kidnapped. Lily! She’s always seemed so much tougher than me and that just got me thinking. Then there was the Larkens’ attack against Lizzy and multiple attacks against Thomas. I just want to know I can handle myself if something like that happens to me.”

I could see this was something that had been weighing heavily on the girl. These were more words than I heard her say the entire night combined.

“You’re welcome to join us anytime,” I told her. “It will be good for Ruby to have you to spar with.” I meant that, too. I had to hold back when we fought, and the enemy would not. Peyton would be a closer match to her skill level and if it brought peace to her sister’s mind, then it was a win all around.

“How long were you watching? I can walk you through the steps,” Ruby offered.

“If you go slow, I think I have them memorized,” she surprised me by saying.

I stood back and let Ruby do the teaching. Peyton was a quick study and by their second round she had the motions down flawlessly.

“Why are we doing these?” Peyton asked. “I mean, I get they are blocking and tackle moves, but why aren’t we doing them against each other?”

“Muscle memory,” Ruby said. “And boy will your muscles remind you in the days to come.”

I laughed aloud as they worked through another set. It drew the attention of a few of the others, and Cole and Elizabeth soon joined me on the sidelines.

“What’s going on?” Elizabeth asked.

“I’m teaching Ruby to defend herself,” I explained. “And apparently Peyton, too.”

Cole chuckled. “So you are feeling rather possessive with a strong need to protect your mate.”

I shrugged, unable to deny his accusations and not willing to explain my reasonings. He could think what he wanted.

“How does walking through the motions help prepare them for anything?” Lizzy asked.

“It’s a classic battle concept. He’s basically training their muscles in the necessary motions, so when the time comes and they need to make that block or attack, their brains know exactly what to do and how to respond,” Cole told her. “It’s a solid theory. Patrick trains all our Pack in a similar way. After the Bulgarian attack he’s made sure every wolf in Westin Pack knows how to fight and defend our territory.”

It did not go unnoticed how he interjected himself as Westin Pack. I thought he had aligned with Collier and was transitioning over, but it did not sound that way now. If Cole was still that connected with the Westins, then I needed to be getting on his good side quickly. Maybe he was the connection I needed to get to Kelsey, and not Thomas.

Ruby

Chapter 12

“Bran, what’s next?” I hollered over to him.

He had a strange look on his face as he spoke with Cole, and seemed to have tuned out everything else around him.

“Huh?” I heard him say before turning to watch us.

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