radicalducati Chapter 124
Chapter 124
Watching Brynlee sparing with Aunt Asteria in the training grounds, it takes everything inside me not to march down to the ring they use and break up their fight. Brynlee is fast as she dodges each punch and kicks thrown her way, landing a blow on my Aunt after each successful dodge. She has grown stronger in the last week since our meeting on what to do with the upcoming war. I was furious when she said she would train alongside us, needing to be in peak fighting condition to take down Tanya and Valor. I had argued with her on this, not wanting her or our unborn pup to get injured.
She won the argument in the end when she led me to the training grounds and proceeded to beat the ever-loving shit out of me after I accepted the fight. She was fast and furious, her body dodging and weaving between my punches and landing blow after blow against me until I was left bloodied and bruised on the ring, with barely a scratch on her. In the end, everyone was right. Brynlee is stronger than me and quicker than me.
Quincy and Caspian had to help me back to our cottage where Brynlee tended to the wounds she gave me all while in her human form. I apologized to her, admitting that I let my judgment become clouded and that I do in fact need her to fight beside me. She accepted my apology readily, snuggling close to my side in bed happily, looking so smug like a kitten that caught a fish twice her size.
The next day, she and I started training together, Brynlee helping me to become stronger and faster in the days that followed in between our regular Beta duties.
“She will make a fine Alpha.” I jump when someone says this, turning to find Jett behind me, watching Asteria and Brynlee fight.
“Yeah. She kind of beat that notion into me.” I admit, Jett chuckling at this.
“I heard.” He says with amusement, moving to stand beside me.
“You have changed a lot, Rune. That I can give you.” Jett continues, giving me a proud smile. Warmth spread through me, as if I was being praised by my father, and in a way, I am. Jett was my mother’s Goddess given Mate.
“But you still have that stubbornness that Valor beat into you. That ‘women are weaker than their male counterparts, especially when pregnant’ mentality. But we all know that this mentality isn’t true, not with how Brynlee left you battered and bruised last week.” I laugh at this, agreeing that Jett is right. Women are not as weak as I once thought they were. Brynlee has proven that to me time and time again.
Unfortunately for me, I keep thinking I need to protect her. To keep her safe from harm's way like an idiot. What I really should do is have her by my side. Have the two of us work together watching each other’s back and taking on what the world will throw our way together.
Jett and I watch for a while longer, Brynlee getting the upper hand on Aunt Asteria and flipping her over her shoulder. My Aunt just lays on the ground, panting and holding her hand up.
“You win, Brynlee.” She says as she catches her breath. I smile, pride swelling inside me at how strong my Mate has become. Brynlee helps my Aunt stand to her feet, the two grinning eat to ear.
“What time will Tristan and his men be here?” I ask Jett, turning my back on the training ground as the two of us walk outside towards Jett’s Jeep. Today Tristan and his men are coming to begin training with our wolves for the upcoming battle. Uncle Gale had asked for my help in cleaning out the guest house now that all the Rogues had been initiated into the Pack and given proper lodgings.
“Around six tonight, so in four hours.” Jett answers as we climb into his vehicle.
[Are you going to help Gale now?] Brynlee’s voice flickers into our link as Jett turns on the Jeep and drives away from the training grounds.
[I am. See you at dinner?] I reply back, watching the trees pass by.
[Yep. I am looking forward to seeing Tristan and meeting Delilah finally.] Brynlee answers back before shutting off the link. I chuckle, wondering if Tristan is ready to get his ask kicked by Brynlee as well during training. I know Delilah will enjoy the scene, and so will Avery considering Brynlee and the two other she-wolves have talked every day since our meeting last week.
Arriving at the guest house, Jett and I find the doors wide open with Omegas running in and out. Confused, Jett and I look at one another before shrugging. It seems this place needs a deeper cleaning than we thought.
“Uncle Gale?” I call out as we walk into the building, dodging an Omega with arms full of bedding that they are taking to the basement for laundering.
“In the kitchen!” I hear his reply and chuckle. Jett states he is going to help the Omegas gather the linen before racing up the stairs while I make my way to the kitchen to find my Uncle cursing at the oven.
“What happened?” I ask, watching my Uncle lean against the kitchen island and rubbing his face.
“The oven broke last night. I have been trying to fix it but I think I need to buy a new one.” He answers, sighing at the end.
“If you want, I can take Brynlee’s truck and go get a replacement.” I suggest. Uncle Gale perks up at this, telling me he will call the appliance store in the nearest town. He’ll have Jett help him remove the old oven and clean up the area so that the area is ready by the time I get back.
With a nod to my Uncle, I link Brynlee telling her I am borrowing her truck for a few hours and why as I leave the guest house and make the long trek to the cottage. She instantly okays this, telling me to pick up some apple juice while I am out and I smile. It seems the apple craving isn’t going anywhere soon.
Reaching the cottage, I open the door and grab the truck keys from the hook just in arm's reach of the door. From there, I climb into the truck and back out of the small gravel driveway. I know that eventually, I will need to get my own vehicle, but that can wait until after we take back Pine Moon.