Like something I could get used to if I let myself.
I got up and pushed her swing lightly, my fingertips brushing against the soft fabric of her shirt. A jolt of electricity shot up my arm, searing into my veins.
Rissa stiffened slightly but didn't move away. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The world narrowed to the place where my hand had just been, the lingering heat of it.
I cleared my throat, forcing my wolf back. "All right. That's enough fun for tonight."
Rissa looked back at me, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. "Yeah. See you tomorrow, Alpha."
She stood, the swing creaking as it swayed in her absence. I watched her walk away, my wolf growling low in my chest. It took every ounce of self-controlnot to go after her, to pull her back and finish what we'd started.
But I wouldn't. Not yet.
Not until I was sure I could give her what she deserved. A man who was whole with a heart that was healed.A future that wasn't haunted by the ghosts of the past.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Tomorrow. I would see her tomorrow at the pack training. And maybe I would find the strength to keep my distance.
Or maybe not.
Chapter 13
Nathan
I stoodat the edge of the pack's outdoor training grounds, arms crossed, watching as wolves of all ages stretched and prepared for the session. Gavin had called earlier to say he wouldn't make it, he was tied up with the missing woman case. I understood that. I’d missed many of these before retiring from the police department and taking over as alpha when my father died.
The training grounds were positioned nearly halfway between my house and the pack house on the pack land. A good spot to shift back and forth without prying eyes.
My wolf stirred uneasily when I saw Rissa walking onto the field. I should'veexpected her presence to set me on edge, but the moment she stepped onto the dirt, it was like the whole damn world shifted. She was dressed in workout leggings and a tank top, her long black hair pulled into a high ponytail. I cursed myself for noticing how damn good she looked.
Rissa glanced around, taking everything in with amusement and calculation. She'd clearly been trained before. I could tell by the way she carried herself, but I still wanted to see her in action.
I cleared my throat and forced myself back to the task at hand. "Pair up," I called out. "We're working on defensive maneuvers first."
The pack members started grouping together. I walked among them, offering tips and adjusting stances and grips. But my gaze kept drifting back to Rissa as she squared off against her partner. Her movements were fluid and precise. She had a grace to her that was almost mesmerizing.
I shook my head, trying to clear the fog. This was training, not a damn spectator sport. I needed to keep my head in the game. But even as I turned my attention back to the other wolves, I could feel thepull of her presence like a magnet. It unsettled me, the effect she had. I didn't like feeling out of control.
"Good," I said, nodding at a younger wolf who had just executed a perfect block. "Remember, it's all about anticipating your opponent's next move."
As I spoke, I couldn't help but wonder what Rissa's next move would be. Or mine. Because standing there, watching her, I knew one thing for sure: whatever this was between us, it was far from over. My wolf knew it, too.
Rissa stepped toward Krystal, a playful glint in her eye.
Krystal grinned. "You any good?"
Rissa smirked. "Guess you'll find out."
I nodded approvingly, but for some reason, my stomach twisted. I should have wanted Rissa paired with Krystal. It was a fair matchup. But as I started demonstrating a blocking technique to another pair, I found my attention divided, my gaze straying to Rissa far too often.
Krystal landed a decent strike on Rissa's shoulder and stumbled slightly, laughingas she regained her footing. The sound carried across the training ground. It made something clench in my chest.
My fingers twitched with the ridiculous urge to step in. I curled them into a fist, trying to ignore the restless energy building under my skin. But my wolf wasn't having it. He prowled back and forth, hackles raised, ready to intervene at the slightest provocation.
"Rissa, come here," I said, carefully neutral.
She blinked in surprise but jogged over to me. "What? Am I doing something wrong?"
I shook my head, not quite meeting her gaze. "I just, uh, want to demonstrate something."
