Page 12 of Huntress and the Thorn Court
“True, but I can’t have you sparring with the dominant wolves. They’re too proud to handle losing and it would only create more trouble while you’re here. I can’t be around all the time to stop their aggression. I’ve given the order that you are not to be attacked but there are other ways they can get to you.”
“But—”
“This is my home, Isabel. You are not a guest but my prisoner and if I say you’ll train, then you’ll train. There will be no more discussing it.”
With that, he was gone. My room suddenly felt huge without Gideon’s authoritarian presence in it. I glared after him not used to being spoken to in such a way and yet I couldn’t wait to be in the Alpha’s proximity again.
7
Only a week into training the Omegas and I was bored out of my mind. Teaching them was like instructing teenage hunters. It wasn’t an attitude thing, which plenty of them had toward me, but their skill level was more than lacking. I had hoped that some of them might surprise me and have an interest or ability that most Omegas didn’t when it came to fighting, but I’d been disappointed. Gideon had gathered every Omega in the country to his central pack. It was in an Alpha’s nature to protect those weaker than him. I suppose it made sense that he’d want them under his roof to keep an eye on them. While male Omegas were a rare occurrence, Gideon had several.
“Training going well?”
I peered up seeing Gideon standing before me. He had a way of moving that even I, with all my training, struggled to track. We were taking a break after anincidenthad occurred.
“God, did someone tattle on me?” I whined taking in the way his arms crossed over his chest as he eyed me. “Look I didn’t mean to break his nose. I thought he’d dodge when I took the swing.”
He chuckled and I think it was the first time I’d ever seen Gideon without his scowl.
“Sounds like you’re enjoying yourself.”
“You have no idea,” I groaned letting my head sag between my shoulders.
“I’d like to see the progress they’ve made.”
I smiled hesitantly. I called the group back together before having them break off into pairs.
“I’d like for you all to practice the series of moves we learned earlier. Partners closest to the door are on offense.”
I watched as group after group made the attempt. It was a simple sequence; jab, jab, kick, while the defensive partner blocked the jabs and stepped out of range of the kick. No one was putting any real effort in. The defensive partners were getting tapped, not that it hurt them because the offensive partners weren’t putting any real power into the hits.
“Stop!” I called out threading my fingers into my hair, fighting not to rip it out at the roots. I didn’t know how else to get them to see what they were doing wrong. Then it occurred to me. “Gideon?” His brow rose in response. “Care to help me demonstrate?”
Narrowing his eyes at me because I put him on the spot, he shoved off the wall from where he stood. He wouldn’t refuse my request in front of pack members. They could misinterpret his refusal as a vulnerability. I struggled not to smile completely aware of what I’d just done.
Gideon moved with a grace I didn’t expect from someone of his stature. My brow furrowed when I noticed he was undoing his dress shirt. Shrugging it off, he tossed it onto a weight rack revealing his white wife beater. I was unable to stop my eyes from raking over him. Gideon had an amazing physique. Werewolves were generally in great shape, but Gideon’s appearance seemed more ripped than a standard wolf.
“It’s a simple sequence,” I said clearing out my throat.
“I caught on,” he stated.
I nodded. “You’re offense.” I took my stance.
He smirked just before his fist shot out so swiftly, I barely had time to deflect. When the other flew, I realized he wasn’t aiming for me, but just off to my side. It was a snub that I couldn’t abide. When he kicked, I changed the sequence by spinning out of the way only to hit him with my own kick.
His brow pinched just slightly before he charged using the same sequence but when it came to the end, he didn’t cease and I didn’t ask him to. It wasn’t until that moment I realized how much I needed the fight. Everything I’d shoved down since arriving rushed to the surface needing a release. Not only was I stuck teaching people who had no interest in what I was offering, but Gideon had been the ultimate manipulator and then he had the audacity to treat me with kid gloves when we sparred? All the frustrations from the past week boiled over as I blocked his blows waiting for my opening.
I saw it. His side was opened.
Faking left, I spun knocking a kick to his kidney. He hissed and I struck again. His eyes flickered amber. I barely saw him move before I found myself on my back, pinned down by Gideon.
“Out,” he barked. The Omegas scurried, moving brisker than I’d seen them go all day.
I lay there panting, struggling to catch my breath with the weight of him on my stomach. He held my hands pinned on either side of my head. When the last wolf closed the door behind him, Gideon stared down at me saying nothing.
“What?” I spat trying to shift his weight so I could catch my breath.
“You attacked me,” he stated coolly.
