A sharp knock was all the notice I got before Daniel poked his head though the door, asking if it was safe to enter. Despite my doubts, the hour had flown by quickly and I was grateful the book had held my attention so completely. Having already called Mason, I was eager to get out of the room so I quickly placed the book mark and returned the novel to my bedside table.
“Of course, it’s safe to enter. What were you expecting? World War Three or something?” I laughed at the look of surprise on his face as he glanced around my room.
“I was at least expecting a few broken things. You know, from throwing them at that stubborn alpha of ours after he laid down the law.” Obviously not finding what he was hoping, he looked back at me, shaking his head. “Now, now Darcy, where is your female indignation from being ordered about? Tell me there were at least tears? Threats? Pouting?”
“You’re a dork!” I laughed, punching him in the arm. He flinched, rubbing the spot, acting as though I’d given him a mortal wound. “Oh come on, that couldn’t have hurt. You’re such a ham, Daniel.”
Laying off the theatrics, he stopped and suddenly looked serious. “Of course not. I was merely trying to make you feel better.” A slow smile curled his lips and he leaned in for effect. “Besides, has anyone ever told you, you punch like a girl?” He took a large step backwards, avoiding the second swing of my arm by a mile. “See what I mean?”
“How else am I supposed to hit, Daniel? Hello … I am a girl!” I used my hands to show my body. “Is this why you don’t have a girlfriend? Are you confused about what we look like?” I squealed out loud as he reached out to swat me, and I tried my best to block him. My arm went wide, resulting in the painful sting of his hand connecting with my side.
“Crap, Darcy. Do you not know how to defend yourself?” His cheeky grin now turned incredulous.
“I’m a werewolf. I always assumed I had the natural ability to take care of myself. I didn’t think it was that important,” I paused.
“Until now.” All joking was gone as Daniel finished my sentence.
“Yeah. I didn’t like how it felt being so defenseless. Avery cut me off from my wolf completely. I was helpless against his compulsion.” I looked up to find eyes filled with compassion. “I don’t want to feel like that again.”
“Then that’s what we’ll work on.” He offered no more explanation as he took hold of my hand, leading me from my room and out of the house. He kept a brisk, steady pace as we made our way to the back of the property, to the space where Mason had a gym installed.
Throwing the doors wide open, Daniel made quick work of turning on the lights, revealing a place filled with every kind of fitness equipment you could imagine. I glanced over at the treadmill. That was by far my favorite because I was able to read while I walked and avoid just staring off into nothing. I moved to go climb on it, but I was directed elsewhere.
“Welcome to your first ever lesson in self-defense … Daniel style.”
I raised my eyebrows at the last part of his comment because I had no idea what he meant by it. Judging from the cocky way he stood, I’d say I was in for an education of sorts.
“Ready? Assume the position.”
I burst out laughing, my hands covering my mouth. “What position?” I struck a pose and watched his eyes almost pop out of his head.
“Oh, no you don’t, I’m being serious. I know I don’t have much to work with.” He smiled as he walked a slow circle around me, flicking his hand at my ponytail. “But I need to at least show you some basics. This is the position I want you in.” He stood in a fighting stance, and I rolled my eyes.
“Why didn’t you just tell me to get into a fighting stance? Even I know what it’s called.” I blew a puff of air upward, moving a stray lock of hair out of my eyes.
I shifted my body until I was standing to the side with my right foot in front. I readjusted my legs, making sure they were a shoulder width apart and I raised both my hands up, curling them into fists. I leaned my weight onto my back leg and was instantly chastised.
“No! Never put all you weight on one leg. Distribute it down in the middle.” He moved forward, pushing down on my shoulders, causing me to bend them both. I felt my muscles begin to burn from the sudden tension.
“Why does it matter?” I asked, not sure why I even had to stand this way.
“Straighten your legs again … like you just had it.” I didn’t have time to respond before he shoved hard at my chest, sending me flying. Walking over to where I painfully landed, he pulled me up onto my feet. “That’s why it’s important. By keeping your weight equal, you can maintain balance. How effective will you be at defending yourself if you’re sprawled on the floor? The key is to stay upright. Try again.”
Dusting myself off, I got back into the stance, this time mindful of my body. I watched him strike out again, and even though he moved me backward, I was able to regain my stability and footing quickly.
“You learn fast, young grasshopper.” He smirked before returning to teacher mode. “Now, can you guess why it might be helpful to stand like this?” He moved his body to match mine, legs firmly apart. I studied him for a moment before shaking my head. A few answers filtered through my mind, but I didn’t know if I was right.
“What does this tell your opponent?” He raised both his fists, an expression of concentrated focus on his face. He appeared every bit the warrior, and I was glad for his help. Looking him over, I suddenly realized the point.
“It tells them you’re ready to defend yourself,” I replied as it suddenly seemed obvious to me as he stood there. “You can see every move they’ll make and be prepared.” His wide grin told me I was right.
“Exactly. Come stand in front of me—right there.” He gestured to the open space before him. “Now go slowly, and watch how I move. Throw a punch.”
Without hesitation, I let my hand fly and he deflected it away with a frontward block of his wrist. It seemed effortless and as he stepped in close, I noticed I was now free to be attacked. A slight jab to my ribs illustrated that fact.
“See how it opened you up? Try again,” he stated.
I threw another punch, this time coming from a different angle. His block also changed, but the results still the same. I was thrown off balance, exposed enough for him to strike again.
“Now instead of punching, come at me like you are going to grab me.”
I went to move and came in contact with his leg. Whether it was the front or back, foot or knee, I repeatedly tried to seize him as I met with resistance.
“Now I need you to promise me—swear to me—the move I’m about to show you, you will never use on me ... no matter how much you might be tempted.” There was a twinkle in his eye that made me curious so I quickly agreed. “Chances are those who’ll try to assault you will be men, and even though they’ll far outweigh you, and perhaps even be stronger, you do hold a few advantages.”
I instantly started grinning because I knew where he was going with this. The way he cupped himself was also an indication he was aware I understood.
“I already know I can knee a guy in the balls, Daniel. Hit them hard enough and it makes them fall to their knees, whimpering like a baby. Want me to show you?” I smiled sweetly.
His face whitened before he shook his finger at me in warning. Making sure he was out of reach, he continued. “Don’t be afraid to use it if you need to. It does require you to get in close, or at least have decent aim, but you need to make sure you hit hard. Put all your weight and force behind the blow. You want to knock them out of commission long enough for you to get away.”
“Okay, full weight … powerful hit.” I started raising my knee, pretending I was facing an attacker and I couldn’t help imagining Avery every time I made a strike. I held the perverse need to show him this exact move up close and personal. “What else you got?” I wiped away the sweat on my forehead with the back of my wrist, ready for more.
“Another thing you can do is this.” Grabbing hold of my hand,
he moved it in a forty-five degree angle, palm open and fingers slightly curved. Tapping the meaty heel, Daniel continued, “Use this part here and aim straight for the person’s face.” Demonstrating his own, he showed the motion I would need to follow and what I would need to target. “Hit them in the nose with the intent of breaking it. You’ll cause their eyes to water, blood to flow, as well as a crap load of pain. Everything I’m showing you is designed to give you time to escape. I don’t want you engaging them in combat.”
Moving my hand back and forth, helping me get used to the flow of movement, he released me, and I was able to maintain the motion without fault. If the pain I felt when I accidently bumped my nose was any indication, this would definitely hurt. My confidence increased, and I smiled widely.
“One more thing, and then I’m going to have you work on those girly punches.” Daniel laughed and with lightning fast reflexes he turned me, pulling me hard against his body, and placing his arms around my neck. “Sometimes your attacker won’t give you the courtesy of seeing them coming. Rude, I know, but what can I say? Any person who’ll attack a woman doesn’t exactly have a strong moral compass. Now, try to get out of this.”
He held me in a tight grip and squeezed hard. No matter how much I struggled, all I did was tire myself out, and I became frustrated. I tried bending over to break the hold. I couldn’t reach his private parts, and there was no prying him off. I even started to dig my nails into his flesh, but it only made him tense up.
“Remember, if the person is human, you’re not going to have any of these problems. As a werewolf, you automatically hold advantage because of your strength. It’s if your attacker is supernatural that you’ll need to keep your focus because you’ll both share similar abilities. What you need is the element of surprise.” He paused a moment before chuckling in my ear. “Given up yet?”
I growled, hanging my hands on his arm to try and alleviate the pressure. “Yes. Show me.”
“Okay, there are two things you can do. But first, remember you love me and would hate to hurt me. One, slam your head backward, it’s hard and can do a lot of damage. You want to stun them so they’ll break their hold.”
I repeated his instructions like a mantra. “Head back. Stun. Release. What else was there?”
“Next, lift your leg and smash it down with all you have on their foot.” He released me quickly and bent down before me, lifting mine. “Aim here, where there’s a curve and your foot attaches to your ankle. You can hit lower and break toes, but you want maximum exposure for pain. Strike hard enough so they’ll release you and then run. If you can’t just yet, you can turn around and kick them. They may be bent over, trying to protect their foot. You just step in there and knee them in the face. Down they go.”
It was a lot to remember, but I got the gist of the basics. I hoped I never needed to use any of this, but I realized I’d been foolish in not taking this seriously. I knew Daniel was giving me a crash course right now, but it gave me an idea.
“Do you think we can set something up where you teach me more—maybe weekly lessons? I would really like to learn how to defend myself against weapons.” I watched his eyes narrow and him start to shake his head. “Wait, hear me out. I prayed I never had to face that kind of situation, but surprise, I did. Gary held me at gunpoint and I can’t stop thinking it might’ve helped if I’d known a few moves. Yes, I could’ve changed, but I know I still bleed as a wolf. She could’ve been hurt too.”
“Let me talk with Mason first, but I don’t see why not. It’s a good idea and it never hurts to be prepared. Maybe we can even ask some of the others if they want to join in.” He looked thoughtful and I took the moment to stretch out my muscles. I was pretty fit, but the last hour had worn me out a little. Swinging my arms in circles, getting them limber, I pointed toward the punching bag. “Shall we?”
I loved watching people swinging at the leather bag, always wondering when it would break loose from its fixture in the ceiling and go flying. No matter how hard I’d seen Mason and the others hit it though, it was still pretty sturdy.
Maybe I’ll be the one to knock it loose. I snorted at the thought.
Daniel threw over a roll of tape with the comments to wrap my hands for protection. I watched as he prepared his own, and I soon had a matching set, moving my fingers to get a feel for it.
“Okay, show me your fists, Darcy.” I lifted my hands, curling them inward; making sure my thumb was tucked in properly. He rewarded me with a nod, using his own palm to crunch my fingers in tighter.
“You don’t want this loose and sloppy when you throw it. It lessens the force and hurts you more.” Pointing me in the right direction, he demonstrated a few punches, showing me the correct way to move before indicating it was my turn.
The impact sent a jarring wave straight up my arm into my shoulder, and I released a small oomph. Adjusting my stance and realigning my torso, I threw my fist again, and this time, it moved the equipment slightly. I looked over to Daniel triumphantly, and he rolled his eyes.
“Come on, Tyson, keep going.” He came and stood behind the bag, holding it firmly between his arms, and offered coaching tips. I put everything out of my mind and soon lost myself to the rhythm of each blow—one after the other. I felt myself begin to work up a sweat.
“Change it up a little. See if you can include some jabs.” He instructed me on how to do them, and I tested it out, each strike meeting the target.
I was so focused I almost missed Daniel’s next question.
“You know he didn’t mean to be so gruff, right?”
“I know,” I said, a little short of breath. “That’s why I didn’t argue. If knowing I’m safe helps put his mind at ease so he can concentrate, then I say guard away. I just wish there was more I could do. He’s still grieving, and without even a chance to take a break, he now has to deal with some crazy vampire usurper.” I paused from my activity and looked straight at Daniel. “As the Alpha, a lot of people look up to him, expecting him to be the level head in the storm, but I see more. He’s also a man who is fully aware of the danger we face, and is afraid of not being able to protect those he loves. Two warring parts of him, so even though it stings a little, I understand.” I threw one more punch. “Besides, I can always punish him for it later.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the look of curiosity on Daniel’s face.
“Don’t even ask. A wolf never kisses and tells.” Moving to take off the tape, signaling I was done, I headed over to the bench and took a seat. “I just want to be strong for him. Support him in any way I can.”
I felt the bench shift a little with the weight of his body resting on it. I bumped my shoulder against my pack brother, a gentle thank you for being there, and we eased into comfortable silence. It felt good to relax for a moment.
“I’ve known Mason my entire life. Seen him at his best and his worst, but the look on his face when he realized you were gone, I hope I never see that again. To everyone else, they saw their leader step forward and take charge. Behind the scenes though, when it was just the two of us, he looked like a man completely devastated. He’s a powerful wolf, one of the strongest and most lethal I know—it’s why I’ll follow him to the grave. But he also leads with his heart, and your kidnapping was the final straw in a brutal attack. I’m glad you’re not giving him a hard time because I know once this is all over, he’ll be back to himself.” Reaching over to take the ball of used tape out of my hand, he combined it with his own and aimed towards a nearby wastebasket. “He’s the best man I know.”
“Thank you for being his friend … for being loyal.” I hugged him quickly. “And for sharing with me.”
“Sharing what?” A new voice interrupted as Mason entered the gym. He strode into the room, his lengthy step eating up the distance between us. He looked back and forth, waiting for an answer.
“About how much you miss me kicking your ass in here. It’s been a while, Brother. Care for a rematch from the last time?” Daniel c
ocked his eyebrow, a smirk covering his face as he issued a challenge.
“Whatever, we don’t have time for that. I came looking for you to let you know we’ve received another message. Seems we’re not fast enough for Avery and he’s grown impatient. He’s sent an address for me to meet him so we can discuss the shifting of my alliance.”
A feeling of doom and foreboding swept over my body, causing a chill to raise goose bumps on my flesh. “Please tell me you’re not actually going to go, Mason. It’s got trap written all over it. Hell, it’s got neon signs blazing.” I turned to Daniel, hoping he would help talk some reason into him.
“Not now, Darcy,” Mason answer was short, his attention focused. “And don’t think I didn’t notice the lack of phone call from you.” Addressing his second in command, he added, “I’ll need you to get ready. The meeting’s set for two hours, but I want to do a little reconnaissance first—see what we’re up against before attacking. I want you loaded up with weapons, but I’m ordering you not to kill unless it’s absolutely necessary. He’s mine, and I want the pleasure of destroying him.”
Having been surrounded by werewolves my entire life, violence was something I was familiar with, but as I listened to the bloodthirsty tone in Mason’s voice, it was hard to get used to. Here was the man who could sweet talk me like no one else, who could reduce me to a puddle of desire, so the cold steel that edged his words seemed completely foreign.
“Can’t you wait? Take more time to plan. Call more people. I don’t like the feel of this.” My anxiety levels increased, and my wolf was also agitated. I’d spent hours with the vampire and I couldn’t help worry about his intentions.
“No, we’re at war. We need to act, and as Alpha it’s my duty to take every opportunity to ensure the safety of my pack. You should know this more than anyone.”
“But at the expense of your own safety though ... and that of Daniel? I know what you want and why, but how much clearer do I need to be … I feel like something bad is going to happen at this meeting. You can’t trust Avery.”
“I’m not a fool to go in blind.”
His anger rose, and I desperately wanted to pull back. I didn’t want to challenge his authority, or his ability to lead. I loved this man so much and it broke my heart to keep pushing, but I felt so strongly about this, I thought I would choke. I just knew if I didn’t speak up, get him to acknowledge what I was saying was worth listening to—there was a very real possibility of losing him. I needed him. The pack needed him. The Mystic Wolves would be devastated without Mason.
“Take her back to her room to meet her new guard, and I’ll see you in fifteen minutes to go over our plans.” He put heavy emphasis on his last word, staring at me with such a force, I felt glued to the spot.
Tears sprang into my eyes, as frustration filled me. He wasn’t going to listen. “Mason."
“Enough,” he roared, the loudness of his voice piercing the air. One look at him told me there was no reaching him. He had completely shut himself off, allowing full rein to his instincts, and I lowered my head in submission.
Thanking Daniel for his help, I began backing away toward the door so I could return to my room. I heard sharp whispers, a thud as someone was hit, followed by the words, “Don’t be a jerk.”
“Wait.” Mason’s shout brought me to a stand-still. I remained where I was as he ran up behind me before I turned to face him. Gazing up, I still saw the hardness, but I could also see regret. Leaning in, he brushed his lips against mine and promised he’d stop in to see me before he left.
I nodded, not able to speak quite yet, and I could see Daniel shaking his head in the background. Caressing the side of Mason’s face, feeling him lean slightly into my touch, I offered him a smile. “See you then.”
Not waiting for his answer, I turned again and left.
Chapter Eighteen