Namely that they’d hurt my mate. “I was content to pretend they didn’t exist for the rest of my life, even after what they did to Mom. Let’s be real, she wasn’t really innocent. But when they hurt you… that was where my tolerance ended. They will pay for what they did, no matter what it takes to make it happen.”
Kellan dropped a brief kiss on my head. “Fiercely protective Emme is one of my favorites.”
It wasn’t anything new to want to keep him safe, but after almost losing him, the feeling had turned into a calling of sorts. I’d never survive going through that again.
When he opened the doors and hit the lights on the shooting range, it looked exactly like ones I’d seen on television: booths with rows and targets at the end. It smelled like metal and sulfur, but not the magic variety, one slightly sweeter.
Kellan gently placed his case on the large table spanning the back wall and used his thumbprint to unlock it.
When he lifted the lid, I leaned forward to peer in. “Whoa,” I said, taking in the array of weapons fitted perfectly into individual slots. I counted two handguns along with one larger, more deadly looking gun. There were also three short, ornate blades, and one longer blade that reminded me of a samurai sword. “Just so you know, when I grow up, I want a cool weapons briefcase.”
Kellan traced his finger along the top of one gun, a brief chuckle escaping. “Tell you what, Shortcake. When you can hit the middle of the target ten shots in a row, I’ll get you one.”
Oh, I loved a challenge.
Kellan spent the next thirty minutes running me through all aspects of the guns, one at a time, showing me how he broke them down, cleaned and serviced, and then put them back together. The blades were next, as he went over the ways he kept the edges in prime condition.
Eventually, we ended up in one of the shooting booths, and from where I stood, the targets appeared to be miles away. “As I said, this is a standard Glock,” Kellan said, handing me the black piece. It was heavier than I’d expected, but completely manageable. “Now, I need you to do the checks we went through before, then we can work on stance.”
I ran over everything without missing one item off his checklist, and after he corrected my stance and hold, it was time for me to take my shots. We both slipped on protective gear for our ears and eyes, even though as shifters we’d heal any injuries immediately, and I gripped the Glock once more.
I tried to relax and ignore how foreign the gun felt in my hands—Kellan had told me that the best way to instinctively use a weapon was to practice until it felt like a natural extension of your own hand.
Maybe one day I’d reach that point.
Switching off the safety, I breathed out in one deep breath and pulled the trigger, missing the target by a mile. I hadn’t been prepared for the recoil and slight burn on my hand, and would have dropped the gun if Kellan didn’t snatch it from the air.
With a rueful smile he lifted my earmuff. “Sorry, Shortcake. That was on me. I find this one has a moderate kick. Next time I’d suggest easing back on the trigger rather than jerking it hard.”
I nodded, my heart beating fast. “Makes sense. Sorry.”
Kellan shook his head like I was silly, and then gestured for me to put my ear protection back on. He proceeded to fire off one shot after another, and every single one hit the target directly through the middle of the smallest circle. It almost looked like each shot went through thesamehole, which had to be nearly impossible. “My dad was a marksman for the Shifter Guard,” Kellan explained when we lifted our ear covers again as he reloaded and handed the gun back to me. “He taught my brothers and me how to use every weapon, right around the time we learned to walk.”
“I’d love to meet your parents,” I blurted, feeling this strange urge to know every part of Kellan’s life. Including where he’d been born and raised. Hopefully, the mention of a pack member’s parents would go over better today than it had last time with Hunter.
I was relieved to see Kellan’s expression turn soft and hopeful. “They’re going to love you, Shortcake. They remained with their pack back in Thorny Gardens, but will absolutely be out for Christmas.”
Christmas.One of the few holidays that shifters and humans shared, even though we didn’t share deities or other traditions. Mostly, it was a shifters love of gifts that propelled the cities into that holiday. I’d never really celebrated, and I wondered if there were any special events in Golden Claw during that time.
“Okay, sweet mate, I think that’s enough chatting.” Kellan gestured toward the gun. “It’s time for you to take another shot. I need to know you can protect yourself if we’re not around.”
As terrible as it was to imagine these alphas not being around, I was aware of the crazy shit happening in the world. Learning how to protect myself would never be a waste of time.
Kellan, to no one’s surprise, was a patient and easygoing teacher, and at the close of our lesson, I’d hit the target—close to the bullseye—with all my shots. Even managed to disarm Kellan when he “attacked” with a knife.
It was a quiet drive home, and once inside I dragged my sorry ass off to shower, completely wrecked. Wrecked but happy.
Today felt like a small achievement, and hopefully if I kept these lessons up, I’d just continue to grow stronger and more capable.
When I finally snuggled into my soft bed, I let my mind wander, excited by the prospect of Kellan and Hunter joining me soon. I was quite quickly turning into one of those females who could not sleep without her pack. Which should terrify me. But I was taking it one day at a time. Enjoying the little moments.
When I reached over to hit the master light switch beside my bed, I waited for the normal darkness to descend, only to find a wash of green filling the room.
With a shriek, I scrambled up in bed, staring around in horror.
Holy fuck.What…?
“Shortcake!” Kellan’s shout echoed, but I was too shocked to form a reply.
