“Yeah... That’s what happened to you, isn’t it? They lured you in and groomed you to perform for money?”
“I guess I never put words to it like that but... yeah, I guess I was.” I shake the thought before I fall in too deep.Later.“You asked me something... What was it?”
“How old were you?”
“I think I was... nine? Ten? Hold on, let me think. If my birthday is in two days...” I talk to myself.
Caleb waves his arms in front of him. “Hold up. Your birthday is in two days?”
“Yeah, why?”
Chapter Forty-ONE
Jay
Iwake gently to the sun beaming through the big windows and birds singing.
My eyes flutter open. I’m in Caleb’s bed, his arms wrapped around me. I lift my chin to look at him above me. He’s still asleep, but at my movement, he wakes, too.
With a gruff voice he says, “Hey.” He kisses the top of my head. “Morning.”
“Morning,” I say, nuzzling into his chest.
Last night was easily the best of my life. Not that the competition was ever strong to begin with, but even if it was, this one would take the cake.
He stretches with me still on top of him, making that strained noise one does.
“How late did we stay up?” I ask.
“Late. What time is it?”
“I have no idea.”
It’s then Caleb’s eyes glaze over, so he’s speaking to someone.
“Who is it?” I roll over.
Caleb springs up and shuffles for his clothes and hands me mine. “Get dressed. Quickly.”
“What? What’s going on?” I fumble with my dress that’s inside out. Finally getting it, I pull it over my head and let it fall on my body.
“We have to get to the Hunter’s Quarters. I’m late for training, and now the king is looking for me to be his sparring dummy.”
“Don’t you mean partner?”
He shoots me a look. “I wish.”
“What’s the Hunter’s Quarters?”
“I’ll explain along the way. Let’s go.” He grabs my hand and leads the way to Bloodhound’s Hunter’s Quarters. Once there, Caleb faces me and places his palms on my shoulders. “Alright, are you going to be okay here while I train?”
Caleb’s tan body is glistening from the sweat. I hadn’t had much of a chance to look at it on the way here with him leading the way.
When you’re done drooling, he asked you a question,my wolf snaps at me.
“Oh... uh, yes. Of course. But uh...” I peer over Caleb’s shoulder, taking in the training happening around us.
There are people sparring... and not very well. The king is barking at someone who complained it’s too hot out to train. Sam is partnered with the king and although Sam isn’t complaining, he winces every time King Dax demonstrates an action on him. I can only imagine the red under his eye has something to do with it.
