Riley POV
He wants me. He really wants me. I'm so excited that it's difficult to breathe. He's not going to reject me. The thought that anyone, let alone the King of the Lycan's wants to claim me is so far beyond anything I could have ever imagined. As we step outside, I gaze around the grounds in wonder. Everywhere I look, I see nothing but beauty, even in the wildness of the grass and the flowerbeds that are carefully created to surround the pack house.
I see flowers of all descriptions as he gently tugs me by the hand and we begin to walk. Forest surrounds us on all sides. The air is sweet and the breeze is gentle and cool. He stops to speak to a pack member. "Christina," he says as the woman pauses in her walk "I'd like you to meet someone."
The woman is slender with long black raven hair and dark eyes. She glances at me and then does a double-take. Her skin is pale and smooth, almost transparent. Without needing to be told, I know she's at least half vampire.
"Siren" she whispers.
I give a slow uncertain nod.
Instead of looking fearful though she lets out a squeal, shocking me completely. "Oh, I've always wondered if I would get to see one" she flings herself at me and hugs me while Bailey stands back looking amused "Oh I love your hair" she gushes, picking up a strand and examining it closely "so natural while I would have to use a dye to get that color. I'm so jealous" she pouts as I try not to gape at her.
"Anyway I'm being rude" she trills and sticks out her hand "I'm Christina and you are?" she cocks her head expectantly while I fight back my laughter.
"I'm Riley," I say softly.
"My mate" Bailey cuts in drily as Christina gives a gasp.
"You're mate Bailey, oh isn't that wonderful? I did think it was strange you weren't in your lycan form anymore but then maybe one of the witches managed to turn you back or..." she trailed off.
This woman was immensely cheerful. Bailey rolled his eyes and reached for my hand "Yes well we have to keep going. I'll talk to you later" he said, striding off while Christina merely waved.
I giggled. "She'll spread the news to the entire pack now," Bailey said with satisfaction "soon everyone will know who you are."
"That's a bit mean" I scolded him but I grinned nonetheless "I like her, she seems bubbly," I said with consideration.
"Bubbly and very cheerful despite how she looks" Bailey chuckles "her mate will have to be a saint in patience" he added shaking his head "or mute I'm not sure which when she meets him."
I swatted his arm playfully as he grinned at me.
"Do you have a training ring?" I asked as we turned and waved at a few more pack members.
He snorted. "Do I have a training ring? Of course, I have a training ring" he said looking highly offended "did you want to go check it out?"
I hesitate but my curiosity gets the better of me. "Sure, why not" I shrug, despite the fact my heart is racing "I never really got to train but I like watching others do it."
There's a curious look on his face but I don't question it. He calmly leads me further onto the grounds, where the training ring is located. There are already two men inside, sparring and a crowd of people watching intently.
One of the men is Thomas and I watch slack-jawed as he uppercuts his opponent and sends them to his knees. He pivots on his leg and gives a roundhouse kick to the opponent's chest, sending them sprawling backward. It's not so much the moves he does, but the ease with which he does it and the speed that has me marveling at it. The other man looks furious as he gets up. He attempts to tackle Thomas but he neatly sidesteps and brings his arm down and around, hitting him in the ribs and causing the other man to give a strangled noise that sounds as though he's in a lot of pain.
"He's really good" I murmur.
"There's a reason he's my second in command" Bailey agrees lowly "but he also has a heart of gold so don't let his rough exterior fool you. These men respect him because he trains hard and he works hard."
Thomas proceeds to give a rapid bout of punches, breaking the other man's nose and sending him howling backward. He looks like he's barely broken a sweat, while the other man is panting and breathing heavily.
"Do you forfeit?" Thomas's voice is gruff and deep.
The other man shakes his head, a look of rage on his face.
"Idiot" Bailey murmurs "he's letting his anger get in the way of his thinking. He's about to get hurt even more badly than if he would just submit or admit defeat."
I glance at my mate who is focussed on the match. His eyes are narrowed and his jaw is clenched. He looks at the opponent with a look of disapproval on his face. Thomas looks resigned. The other man refuses to back off. He lunges towards Thomas.
Thomas defends himself against the first punch and catches the man's fist in mid-air. He's so quick my eyes almost miss it. He headbutts the man, hurting his nose even more and causing him to howl. He then thrusts his elbow into the man's ribcage. I wince as I hear the distinct sound of bones breaking. The man's face goes pale ashen. Thomas kicks his feet from under him and sends him sprawling onto his stomach before stepping back.
"Do you admit defeat?"
Thomas's voice is loud and clear. The crowd is silent. They gaze at the opponent expectantly.
"Surely he's going to admit defeat," I say a little anxiously "you would have to be stupid to want to continue."
"You would be surprised," Bailey said with a chuckle "how many men would let their pride get in the way."
The opponent gets to his feet. He sways. I suck in a breath. Surely he's not going to continue fighting with broken bones and a broken nose that's slowly turning purple? His eyes are narrowed as he glares at a calm Thomas.
"Fuck you" he spits.
Thomas gives an audible sigh. The man staggers towards him. There's no way he's in any condition to continue fighting. He can barely walk. Thomas just narrows his eyes.
"Eventually you have to know when to give up" he says in disgust as the man spits out blood onto the ground.
I try not to let my disgust show on my face. The other man cracks a grin and then darts forward. He's taken down with one swift punch by Thomas and falls down on his back, his eyes staring up at the sky.
"Is he dead?" I gasp.
Bailey chuckles "No, the idiot is merely unconscious," he says as two men from the crowd peel out and begin to lift the man up and drape him over one of their shoulders "Toby there will take him to the hospital and get him seen to. He should have quit while he was ahead."
He shook his head "Pride cometh before a fall" he intoned with a solemn expression and then dissolved into laughter.
I sighed. Thomas cracked his neck and then cracked a smile, coming out of the ring and shaking Bailey's hand.
"Good work, holding yourself back like that" Bailey complimented him "you could have seriously hurt the man otherwise. You showed great restraint."
I stared. Restraint? Held himself back? Was Bailey being serious right now? "Are you kidding?" I asked in disbelief "Thomas held himself back?"
Thomas's eyes were alight with mirth "If I hadn't I could have killed him" he said nonchalantly "it's good to see you again Riley" he added as I shook his hand feeling somewhat shaken.
"There's very few men here that can match Thomas's strength or agility" Bailey said calmly "which is why he's one of the best teachers we have when it comes to training."
I glanced around at the crowd. To my surprise I spotted women amongst them and found a question hovering on my lips. "Do you train the women as well?"
Thomas and Bailey shoot each other surprised looks. "Well yes, if they are willing" Thomas divulges "is there a reason we shouldn't?"
"No" I swallow hard "it's just that" I trail off unsure how to phrase it "I've never been allowed to train because of my father and I was wondering...."
I still couldn't say the words. They got stuck in my throat.
Bailey seemed to sense what I was asking because his eyes narrowed in concern.
"You want to train" he said finally.
"Yes."
"Oh" Thomas said faintly "I'm afraid that I won't be able to teach you Riley" he says apologetically.
My shoulders slump. I don't understand why. Bailey lets out a low growl "He can't teach you because my Lycan will get jealous. I'll teach you" he tells me calmly as I brighten "but first how about a demonstration between Thomas and me, to show you why I'm the Lycan King?"