A crowd was beginning to form, but Visena didn't care. 

Something inside her was itching — no, clawing to come out. Her frustration rose when Eve frowned at her request. "I can't do that."

"Why not?" She didn't want to whine, but she needed a release. Prim's weak, baby punches weren't cutting it.

Eve walked backwards with her hands up. "It's not right... I'm sorry." She didn't look very sorry.

Jed wouldn't meet her eyes either.

"Ugh." Her muscles were aching now. "Will someone just humour me, please?"

"My pleasure, little Fae..." Liam's cocky grin was perfect fuel for Visena. She grinned, and his smirk faltered imperceptibly.

"Come on then." Her tone was seductive. Come into the spider web, little fly.

Just when she thought he would back out, he stepped into the square, pulling his shirt off in one smooth motion. Liam's core definition would put most men to shame. He surely had less than five per cent body fat. She could see every muscle the human anatomy could offer. His punch would hurt if she was wrong.

Prim stepped between them momentarily. Visena couldn't stop thinking, If she tries to stop this, I'm gonna kick her ass.

Thankfully, she didn't. "If it gets too much, you can step out of the square, and the match will end."

Both of them nodded as Prim backed away. All sound ceased as the pack's eyes were on them. Gideon looked on from the background wary but intrigued. Visena sensed if Liam actually hurt her, there would be hell to pay.

They circled each other, and she saw Liam's eyes drift behind her where Gideon was standing. His head dropped slightly before he met her eyes again. She watched his adam's apple bob a few times when his fist flew at her face. She was just out of range, and she felt the lightest tap of his knuckles on her nose, causing her to sneeze.

A few chuckles sounded out around them. "You didn't even try to block or parry. This is a terrible idea," Liam grumbled at her.

"You were out of range, don't be a little bitch."

His brows rose into his hairline, and he cracked his knuckles. "Little Fae has claws, huh?"

She met him with a grin as he jabbed, checking his reach. She pushed his fist down a few times so he would go through with the cross. Finally, he threw a real punch at her head. She shifted ever so slightly on her feet, ducked her head, and pushed his fist over her shoulder, but she was out of practice.

He clipped her cheek just hard enough to break skin inside her mouth. She tilted her head down as her tongue probed the cut and realised her mouth was quickly filling with blood. Visena swore she could hear the crowd's hearts beat faster in the silence.

A low growl emanated from across the yard, but an over-the-shoulder wink from Visena was just enough to quiet the Alpha. She stood tall and reset her stance, mouth pressed closed. Liam looked pale, which only made Visena annoyed. 

"Again, " she demanded, letting the torrent of blood spill down her chin. She heard gasps from the pack, and Liam stepped back. 

"Are you okay?"

"Trust me." She wiped a backhand across her mouth, shaking the blood splatters onto the dirt below. "One more time."

She could see him gathering the courage. She was sure Gideon threatened him somehow. "Please."

Something changed in his eyes, and he lowered his stance.

Her muscles held memory. She knew they did.

This time when he swung, she ducked and threw two hard punches to Liam's kidneys. He barely flinched, but his surprise gave her an opening. She ducked behind him and jumped onto his back, getting him in a rear chokehold. His hands clawed at her arms before he rolled her over his shoulder. Landing on two feet, she pivoted and dodged his next punch, grabbing his opposite wrist and twisting it high behind his back. She didn't stop until she heard a pop, and she circled out of reach. A slight shrug had his shoulder popping back into place. 

Dammit, wolves heal fast. She was impressed.

Each jab and cross he threw, she dodged with ease. His movements appeared slower as the fight went on, but only her perception increased speed. Soon they were dripping with sweat, and a bell tolled. 

The training was over. 

Liam stepped back, panting and grabbed a towel from a pack member wiping his brow.

"That was..."

Prim's hyper screams cut off Liam. "Oh my god! What the hell, Visena? That was incredible. Why didn't you say you could fight?"

She shrugged. "I didn't know for certain..."

Liam's scoff was comical. "You didn't know? I could've killed you if you were wrong."

"Meh, I've realised I'm not usually wrong." Visena found a clean towel and dried herself off. Liam walked off muttering to himself, and the man of her dreams filled his space. Now fully dressed. Dammit. "Hello, again," Visena quipped. "Do you want a turn with me now?" The question was purely innocent by intention but was taken very differently. 

Gideon's jaw clenched as his eyes bore into hers. "Everyone, head home. We'll pick up again after lunch." The crowd dispersed from his command until they were the only people outside. Curious eyes peeked through darkened windows.

"You kept up with my Beta," he stated.

Visena picked up her clothes and tucked them under her arm. "Seems that way."

"Either I need to find myself a new Beta, or you have a higher fight IQ than anyone I've ever met."

He turned and headed towards the pack house with Visena in tow. "I don't know what that means." Her voice was low. Guilt swirled in her chest. She was starting to regret sparring with Liam.

"Come with me." 

She thought they were going back inside, but Gideon continued walking down the path. She jogged lightly to keep up and put her jumper on to fight a sudden chill.

After a few minutes of silence, they reached the end of the cottages. Gideon kept walking.

"Are you gonna kill me in the forest?"

Gideon was silent.

Oh shit, she thought. Maybe he is...

Over a slight crest in the path, she saw an overgrown cabin. Honeysuckle, Ivy, and Wisteria climbed along a rotten trellis resting against its timber siding. Webs and tattered drapes framed each window. "I could just go... I'm sorry I was better than Liam. I'll never come back." An ache formed in her heart when she thought of Gideon hurting her. 

His exasperated sigh eased it a little."I'm not going to hurt you." 

After three firm knocks, the door opened and revealed a stunning woman. She wore a velvet dress the colour of mulberry with a thigh-high slit showing toned legs. An ornate dagger was strapped above her knee and gleamed in the midmorning sun. Strawberry blonde hair complemented the outfit superbly.

Visena felt underdressed. She tilted her head to look at Gideon, who stared tensely.

"What do you need, Dee?" Her voice was husky. Alluring. Goddammit, she was perfect.

"I need a locator spell done on her mother."

That was not what Visena expected him to say. She resisted the urge to let her mouth drop open, instead gnawing on the inside of her cheek.

"The Fae girl?..." A slight sneer marred her face. "Can't you just feel her Anima child?"

The foreign word went straight over Visena's head."I have no idea what you're talking about."

"She has no memories, Cal." Gideon's patience was wearing thin. He wanted answers too. He had to think of his pack.

"Ahh, fascinating. To find your mother's location, I will need something from her. Something of her, rather."

Gideon was about to snap at the witch when she finally said,

"A tear."

~~~

Hmm... what's all that about then...

Thank's for reading <3 

Until next time xxx

;)