Chapter 39 - Surprise

**Hailey's P.O.V.**

We show Luka to a room, and I turn to the others. I'm glad some people from other packs are having a change of heart, but I know they all won't.

"I don't trust him," Jessi says. She was on Luka so fast earlier that I barely had time to comprehend what was going on.

"I think he's okay. With him having no pain from rejecting his mate even though they had marked each other, it makes me think she wasn't his fated mate," I say as we all head toward the office. It seems to be the only place where we can talk without worrying about spies from other packs or realms being around.

"If he starts acting funny, I'll send Davina in to set him straight," Jessi says, looking at the fairy who has been unusually quiet. Her head shoots up.

"You want me to fight him?" She asks. Her eyes shine with excitement.

"No. I want you to sing him a couple of your songs. That will take down any man." Jessi and the others laugh, but I see the hurt in Davina's eyes. She tries to cover it up when she sees me looking at her. I know they all love her, but do they actually see her?

"Davina, can you help me with something?" I ask her, standing up.

*"What's going on? Where are you going?"* Dante mindlinks me in a panic. We haven't been apart at all since I was kidnapped and for a few minutes when we saved Natalie. However, sometimes a girl needs to breathe.

*"I just want to talk to her alone for a few minutes. We'll be right outside."* I lean over and kiss him quickly before walking out of the room. Davina follows me after giving Jock a kiss. I shut the door behind us and lead her to the loft area, where there are a couple of chairs and a couch.

"Are you okay?" I ask her, taking a seat on the couch. She sits next to me and smiles.

"I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Davina replies.

"I know your friends love you, but I can't imagine it feels good to have them always making fun of you. You hide it well, but I can see the truth in your eyes." I say softly, watching her expression. She turns away.

"I don't know what you're talking about. They would never do anything to hurt me. They're not bullies." She says, still looking away.

"I'm not implying that they're bullies. In fact, I don't think they could be further from, but sometimes joking can be hurtful even if it's not their intention." I take her hand, and she looks at me with her beautiful green eyes.

"I know they're just kidding around, so I don't let it get to me. Before I met Jock and the others, I was alone for many years. It was a sad time for me. So much so that I didn't even want to be a fairy anymore. I wanted to be anything else if it meant someone wanted me around and would love me. Selene took me to her realm and told me she had an important job for me and that I would finally find happiness. I am happy now, happier than I've ever been." Davina smiles at me. She has such a beautiful heart. I hug her, and she hugs me back.

"Anytime you need to get away from things, just tell me, and we can talk, okay?" I tell her.

"I will. Thank you." We return to the others, and Jessi looks at us suspiciously.

"You're not trying to steal my best friend, are you? If so, we're going to have some issues." She says as Divina sits between her and Jock. The fairy giggles and takes Camilla from her mother.

"No. I just needed to talk to her about something." Talk about overprotective. Jessi moves closer to Davina and puts her arm over her shoulders while staring at me. I guess there's no coming between the two of them.

"What's next?" Kerri asks, pulling my attention away from Jessi.

"I guess we have to wait and see what's coming. We can't prepare until we know. We have the triad after us and Shirley, but I'm sure there are many others. Maybe we should get some training in." The others nod, and we all stand up.

"Good idea, and I think you should be my sparring partner, Hailey," Jessi says. Oh shit, did I just wake the beast? I'm a daughter of the Moon Goddess, but why do I suddenly feel like I'm about to get my ass kicked? Something tells me Jessi doesn't take it easy on her sparring partners.

"Sure," I say with false eagerness.

"Jessi, are you sure?" Wyatt asks her as we walk toward the training facility behind the pack house. Jessi's cracking her neck like she's getting ready for a brawl, and I can't help feeling intimidated.

"Positive." She replies. I see Davina singing and giggling with Camilla. Can't I sit this one out? Maybe I could be the babysitter for this training even though it was my idea. When we get to the facility, the warriors and guards are already training, but there's plenty of room for all of us. Our group stays near the back.

Jessi and I find a spot and get into our stances. I glance around and realize no one else is preparing to spar, and the men who were already here have stopped to watch. That's just great. Now I can get my butt kicked in front of my pack. I'll never live this down.

Having an audience doesn't faze Jessi as we begin circling each other. She's doing the same thing I am, looking for a weakness. We lunge for each other at the same time. She goes high, and I go low. I fall on my face when she puts her hands on my shoulders to flip through the air. When I get up, she's already facing me and back in her stance. How the fuck does she do that so flawlessly?

"Wow. That was incredible." Thanks, Kerri. I don't need you to encourage her.

We start circling again, and I hear Camilla fussing. Jessi takes her eye off me for half a second, and I use it to do a spin kick to her chest. However, all I get is air as she ducks, grabs my leg, and sweeps my other leg making me fall on my butt.

"That's low to come for me when I'm checking on my pup. However, I did that on purpose to see how sneaky you are and if you'll take advantage when your opponent gives you an opportunity. You're a good fighter; I can tell by your form you're just a little rusty." Jessi's speaking to me like she's training me.

"She was the best fighter we had until she came here. She has been out of practice for a while," Kerri says in my defense. Jessi nods and gets back into her stance.

"Come on, Hailey, show me what you're made of. You're the strongest daughter of the Moon Goddess and have enemies coming at you from all directions. How are you going to defeat them?" Jessi asks. I finally get it. She's not mad at me like I thought for stealing Davina away for a few minutes. I should have known better; that's not her style. I understand why the king and queen sent them to us now. Jessi and the others are going to whip us into shape so we can win.

"Let's go. Please correct any mistakes you see me making. I want to get back to how I was." Jessi nods and looks around.

"Unless you all are planning on standing around when the next battle comes, I suggest you get your lazy asses to work training. You can't expect us women to always be there to protect you." Seeing someone as small as Jessi yelling at a bunch of huge men is funny as hell. Seeing those men scramble to do as she says is even funnier. Yeah, I think I love her.

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**Zaleria's P.O.V.**

I watch Shirley leave and shake my head in disgust. She has the nastiest disposition of anyone I've come across. Why on earth would she think I want her sexually? I let her believe what she wants because she thinks that's what everyone wants from her. In reality, I would much rather choke on a hot dog than lick a taco. Once she's gone, I snap my fingers and return to my real home.

I remove my black dress and put on the green sparkly one I prefer. I don't like playing dress up, but I have to when I deal with people like her. Selene asked me for help protecting her daughters on earth because I'm one of the few who can appear to be what I'm not. I killed the real witch Zaleria and took over her persona a few months ago. I spin around and return to my natural self.

I'm actually petite with long strawberry-blonde hair and green eyes. My name is not Zaleria; it's Kaida, and I'm not a witch. I'm a dragon shifter.