Taffy and Oliver were hunched over, both struggling to catch their breath as Dillon and I stood with our hands braced on our hips, our chests heaving. Everyone had taken a decent beating, and Shade looked exhausted.
“I’d like to try one more time,” my mother interjected. “But this time, I would like for Caelan to spar against Dillon, and for Shade to focus on Caelan. I have a theory.”
“Care to share it, my love?” my father asked.
“Let’s see if I’m right first,” she replied, motioning for us to proceed.
Dillon and I dropped into our fighting stances. He swung, the sickening smack of his fist connecting with my side ringing out as I tried to block. We were always a little rougher when we fought each other because we knew the other could take it.
I felt it the moment Shade’s gift was unleashed, but it wasn’t the same as it had been in the arena. It felt weaker, like it wasn’t just focused on me. My concerns were confirmed when Dillon’s attacks grew more frenzied.
“Stop,” my father called.
We sprang apart, pacing as we both struggled to calm down. I glanced at Shade, who swayed slightly on her feet.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured feverishly, putting a hand to her head. “It’s harder to focus it than I thought.”
“I think that’s enough for today,” I announced as I walked toward her, snaking my arm around her waist and taking her weight. “She’s pushing herself too hard.”
“Just once more,” my mother countered. “I think I’ve worked it out. Dillon, Taffy, and Oliver, if you would all attack Caelan together. This will be the last attempt, Shade my dear. I promise.”
Shade nodded, sweat glistening on her brow as she leaned into me.
“Are you sure you are all right?”I asked through our mind-link.“We don’t have to do this anymore if you don’t want to. I’ll tell them to stop. Just say the word.”
“No. Your mother is a very wise woman. If she has a theory about all of this, then we need to see if she’s right. I’m fine. I can try one more time.”
I nodded, still uncertain this was the right decision, but I respected Shade’s choice.
“We’ll do this once more,” I said sternly. “After that, I wantShade to rest. If we can’t figure this out today, then we’ll try again another day. Okay?”
“Agreed,” my mother replied. “I want the three of you to keep Caelan away from Shade. Whatever it takes. And don’t hold back. If we want to trigger the same response, the threat has to seem real.”
I kissed Shade on the forehead before hurrying back to the training ground. I crouched as my two betas and gamma squared off against me, ready for anything.
Dillon rushed forward as I felt Shade’s power start to curl around me. I parried his strike as Taffy darted in, dodging her kick and ducking as Oliver leapt for me. I could feel Shade’s ability surging through me like an electric hum in my veins.
Suddenly, my vision sharpened, my speed increased, my strength tripled, and my determined gaze locked on my mate. I blocked their strikes without a thought, every fiber of my being focused on one thing and one thing alone.
Shade. I had to get to her, and they were standing in my way.
I snarled as the three of them tried to drive me back, the hair on my arms standing on end as I felt the same energy from last night course through me.
My body shifted, my claws elongating as my limbs lengthened. Fur spread out across my skin as my form stretched, my halves merging into the ferocious creature from the night before.
I towered above the three of them, standing on my hind legs with ease. I could feel the energy dancing around me, radiating from this brilliant white light. It called to me, swirling and pulsing as it fed into me like a power source.
Shade.
She looked like an angel as she stood there emitting that heavenly glow. Her gift traveled across our bond, her worry and love only fueling me further.
This was for her. It was all for her. Everything I had been before and everything I would be from this point forward belonged to her.
Getting to her became my greatest desire. I surged forward, tossing Dillon, Taffy, and Oliver away like they were nothing.
Some part of me knew they were not my enemy, but they were preventing me from reaching my mate which couldn’t be allowed. I pushed through them, knocking them back on their asses as I stomped toward Shade.
The fight doesn’t matter. Nothing matters. Only her.
