Page 47 of Scarred Savages
I swallow hard, trying to ignore the heat radiating from his body.
We move on to kicks.
Axel takes the lead, showing me how to pivot for maximum force.
“It’s all about the hip rotation,” he explains, demonstrating a roundhouse kick that looks effortless. “Try it.”
I attempt to copy him, but my kick is weak and wobbly.
Axel shakes his head, smirking. “Not quite, Wildcat. Let me show you before you kick yourself in the face.”
He stands behind me, one hand on my hip, the other on my shoulder. “When you kick, rotate your hips like this,” he says, guiding my body through the motion. “And keep your upper body stable. You’re not a washing machine on a spin cycle.” His voice dips, his breath hot against my ear. “Though I wouldn’t mind watching that, Wildcat.”
We go through the movement several times until I can do it solo. My kicks are nowhere near as powerful as Axel’s, but they’re improving.
“Much better,” Oli grins, giving me a thumbs up. “You’re a quick learner.”
As the training continues, I feel myself getting stronger and more confident. The guys are impressed, I can tell. Even Hudson, who’s been mostly stoic, nods approvingly as I execute a perfect takedown on Ethan.
“Not bad.” Ethan chuckles from his position on the mat. “But don’t get cocky. I let you have that one.”
I roll my eyes, offering him a hand up.
The afternoon passes in a blur of sweat, punches, and aching muscles. By the time Hudson calls it quits, I’m exhausted but exhilarated.
I feel… alive.
“Hit the showers, everyone,” Hudson orders. “Luna, good work today. We’ll pick this up again tomorrow. Try not to ShifterTube any cage-fighting techniques before then, yeah?”
13
Axel
Iwatch her from the chair in the corner of her room. Been here three hours now. Maybe four.
Who’s counting?
Well, I am. Three hours, seventeen minutes, and approximately forty-three seconds since she fell asleep.
Not that I’m obsessed or anything.
Fuck, who am I kidding? I’m completely obsessed.
She’s beautiful like this—vulnerable in a way she never allows herself to be when awake. Her silver hair spills across the pillow, and I have to clench my fists to stop myself from running myfingers through it. Her face is peaceful, lips slightly parted, and I wonder what she’d do if I—.
No. Bad Axel.
We have rules now.
Hudson’s rules.
Stupid fucking rules.
My wolf is pacing under my skin, snarling at me to claim her, to sink teeth into her neck so the world knows she’s ours.
But then she whimpers, and all thoughts of rules and claims evaporate. The peaceful sleep doesn’t last.
It never does.
