Page 31 of My Haven
As they walked away, he heard Kendrick ask. “Not even noodles?”
Without missing a step, she hooked her left foot behind her to kick the back of his knee, causing him to stumble. He was still grumbling when the door shut behind them.
“Men, move out,” Caiden ordered.
He paused when he heard his mother say, “They won’t mind.” But decided ignorance was bliss and headed out to the training area with his unit.
*****
Hunter was bent in half, breathing hard, when he reached out a hand to grab Caiden’s arm. “How...how is he still moving?” he asked, gasping for air.
Caiden was having a hard time breathing himself, so he simply shrugged. “He’s our Unit Commander for a reason,” he managed to reply.
The only one who was keeping up with Aiden was Bryok. An hour after they started, the fae returned from his ‘Button Mission’ and had been in lock step with their commander since.
“We’re notthatbad,” Zev said, staring at the two men circling one another in the training area.
“I believe it is not that we are bad, it is that they are that good,” Konstantine added.
Bryok paused and pointed in their direction. “The kids are tired.”
Caiden bristled a bit at being called a kid, but realized Bryok was probably much older. He bowed to both Aiden and Bryok. “Commander, if the men aren’t up to standards, blame me. I have clearly failed them.”
Aiden grinned and shook his head. “You’re the third unit leader to say something similar after running drills with me for the first time.” He pointed to the woods. “Noctem Falls is protected by the earth, Éire Danu is protected by being in another plane, and Storm Keep is protected by magic. Lycaonia however, up until recently, didn’t have any protective measures for the city. We fought ferals on a regular basis, so, our drills are a bit more intense.”
Bryok reached down and picked up a bottle of water before passing it to him. “All of the Éire Danu warriors were limping for days after their first session with our commander.”
“Got room for one more?” a voice called out.
They turned and Caiden laughed. “Where in the fuck have you been?”
Mikel Appleblossom walked up; his bike helmet tucked under his arm. “Chasing bad decisions.” He walked up and clasped forearms with him before turning to Aiden. “Being mated looks good on you.”
Aiden pulled him into a bear hug and pounded on his back. “Damn good to see you. I heard my mate made you an Elder.”
Mikel winced. “I am both humbled by her faith in me and finding myself wanting to run for the hills.”
Caiden smiled at the reunion. It was common knowledge that Mikel had been chosen to be the witch warrior for Alpha when Aiden took over. “Where are you staying?” he asked.
Mikel groaned. “I want to crawl back and hide in the Sigma unit house, but I have too many asses to kick at the Fire Temple.”
Aiden cracked his knuckles. “I’m ready to go whenever you are.”
Zev stood from tying his boot laces. “Why are we kicking asses at the Fire Temple?”
Aiden’s face darkened. “Because they went after a unit warrior’s family.”
Hunter growled low. “Who did they dare go after?”
“My baby sister,” Mikel said, through clenched teeth.
“Welp, fuck then. Let’s go,” Zev said, pulling out his sidearm.
“You okay with Nu playing escort?” Caiden asked.
Mikel grinned evilly. “It makes more sense for you to play escort than my old unit, you have more political clout.”
“Alright men, we get a break from Aiden and Bryok to help Mikel beat some high-handed assholes at the Fire Temple,” he announced.
