When we arrived for training, he gave us assigned gym attire with the same enchantment our uniforms had. Then he instructed us to change inside the designated changing rooms before meeting outside.
The uniforms were a pair of navy joggers and a white sweatshirt with Fate Hollow Academy’s emblem on the right side, and they were comfortable. Although I had to admit that I preferred shorts to joggers, and the sweatshirt held in too much body heat. So I opted to keep my button-up blouse on with the joggers instead.
I stepped out of the woman’s changing room to find Damien and Lachlan leaning against the wall, waiting for me.
They wore their joggers and sweatshirts, and they looked utterly handsome in it.
“You look fucking perfect in that, little bird.” Damien pushed off the wall before slinging his arm over my shoulders. “I love that you kept that top on.”
Lachlan rolled his eyes and walked to my other side before threading our fingers together. “He’s right. You look gorgeous.”
Heat spread across my face. “Thanks. You guys look good too.”
“Wanna fight me?” Damien’s breath tickled my ear as he leaned close and licked my lobe before pulling back and smirking.
My mark tingled, and I slapped my hand over it, attempting to keep that pesky shadow at bay. “My shadow does.”
Lachlan chuckled. “Why haven’t I seen it yet?”
“Maybe it doesn’t like you.” Damien arched a brow as mischief twinkled in his eyes.
I giggled as we walked toward the back of the building, where two double doors led to the outside training yard.
The training area was stunning. The ground was covered in a couple of inches of snow, and thick wooden walls fenced the area in. There was an arch that led to the pathway around campus, so students could look in and see others training.
Coach Simmons stood underneath the arch with his arms crossed. Light gray hair sprinkled through the brown, and laugh lines creased his face. He was older, maybe as old as my parents would be now.
That thought sent a pang of grief through my chest, and Damien’s head whipped toward me, cutting off whatever argument he was having with Lachlan.
“Little bird?” His lips pressed into a thin line as he stepped closer to me, his gaze studying mine.
“I’m okay.” I placed my palm against his cheek, and he rubbed his lips over it. “I was just remembering my parents.”
His gray eyes flicked up, and he pressed a kiss to the center of my hand. “I love you.”
A smile quirked my lips up. “I love you.”
Lachlan rubbed his scruff, leaning forward to look at me. Before he could say anything, Coach Simmons spoke.
“Good morning. Welcome to Offense 101. Call me Simmons and drop the Coach. There’s no need for formalities here. This is where you learn how to fight. I’ll be teaching you offensive moves this term. We’ll be finding your best fighting style against an opponent.” His blue eyes flicked around the class before landing on me and widening a bit. “You.”
My brows raised, and I pointed to myself slowly.
“Yes, you.” He chuckled, waving me over to him.
Damien let out a low growl as I made my way toward him. I heard Lachlan scold him for growling at a professor, and Damien assured him he didn’t care.
I stepped in front of Simmons with an inquisitive look.
“Arctic fox shifter, yes?” He grinned, and I nodded.
“I’m a fox shifter as well,” he said. “Try to hit me.”
I stiffened. “What? Likeactuallyhit you?”
A few snorts sounded from my classmates, and I flushed with embarrassment. I’d never had this many eyes on me before.
“Punch, slap, kick, knee, something.” He moved, widening his stance and holding his arms out.
