29
GRAY
Ishifted in the corner of the gym, trying not to cringe as I watched Westin block another punch.
Apparently, Westin attended a self-defense class every Tuesday atAlpha Gainzz. When she told me about the class, she said Pack Ashwood offered to drive her instead of me, but I said I would take her. It was my job to protect her, and I felt strangely uncomfortable letting anyone else do it. I’d been tempted to joke with her about the name of the gym, but then I remembered that wasn’t our relationship anymore. This was strictly business.
So now I was here, watching the gym owner, Luc, teach a group of women how to punch and block. And completely unable to take my eyes off Westin.
Silvery strands of hair hung in her face and her cheeks were flushed with exertion. She looked stunning. And she was doing well. She’d been paired up with Ben—one of Josie’s alphas. Her arms moved more slowly than I’d like, but she methodically blocked every punch Ben threw.
Then Ben switched up his punch and Westin’s block came just a moment too slow. The pad got her right in the side of the face.
I saw fucking red.
He hurt her.
Before I knew what I was doing, I was across the room, standing in front of Westin and growling.
Ben and the other omegas looked shocked.
“How dare you hurt her?” I snarled.
Ben raised his hands up and wisely backed away. “It was an accident. Westin—” he said, trying to peer around me. I moved to block his view. He didn’t get to look at her.
“I want to see if she’s okay,” Josie demanded, moving towards me.
Ben quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him.
At least he could be fucking smart.
But Josie’s words sank in.
Shit.
I hadn’t even checked to see how Westin was. Did she need medical care?
I whirled around to face her. Her bright, wide eyes met mine, her lips parted with shock.
“Are you okay?” I asked gruffly.
My arms burned with the urge to pull her in close, to run my fingers down the side of her face and kiss away any pain. She was luring me in with her big, stupid omega eyes.
“I’m okay,” she finally said.
“Let me see your face.” I grasped her chin.
Fuck, her skin was so soft.
She didn’t protest as I looked her over. Her cheek was slightly red, but nothing looked broken.
“Ice.” I gripped her arm and dragged her to the corner of the gym where I’d seen the first aid station. I was surprised she didn’t fuss at me as I looked her over again and handed her an ice pack.
Her eyes on me were almost… trusting.
She winced as she pressed the ice pack to her face and rage filled me again. Why was she even attending this useless class? I glanced over my shoulder to where Ben and Josie were talking. My fingers itched to punch Ben in the face. See how he liked it.
I turned back to Westin, my chest rumbling with a growl.
