Chapter 151

Cassie

Sweat beaded my brow as Scarlett again used my weight against me and sent me sprawling onto my back on the thick mats.

I stared at her for a second, seeing her smiling face light up in triumph before she reached down and heaved me to my feet. I took her help gratefully.

"I think you have me at a disadvantage." I pointed out , rolling my shoulders until they made a clicking sound and went back into the right position.

"How so?" From the edge of the mat Ian asked. His eyebrows low over his eyes as he stared at us.

"She's a dancer , she's quick on her feet. And -" I shrugged. "I'm making excuses." I added lamely. Laughter met my admission and Ian nodded.

"You have what you need to take her down , you just think too much-" he trailed off as the door to the small training area opened and a bedraggled red faced Kip stumbled in. Blowing out a breath , he bent over and with his hands on his knees heaved.

Ian's eyes flicked to him and then back to me. "You think too much and he-" he head jerked. "Doesn't think enough. I don't know what you were thinking making him your protector." He added and not quietly.

Straightening, I turned to the young man. "I see something in him. He kind of reminds me of you." I hid a smile as Ian bristled. "I think with the right training he might be as lethal as you."

Ian's brow furrowed. "With my training he might stay alive. But I'm not promising that. And talking about training where does Julian think you are?" His eyes narrowed.

"Training." I said sweetly. "Because that's what I'm doing."

"And he believes that?" Ian asked and all eyes turned to me. "It's been over a week and -"

"I am here." I pointed out. "And I am training. If he shows up then here I am." I held my sweaty arms out wide. "He doesn't need to know the rest."

"You're playing a dangerous game Cassie."

"I don't think so. Julian is sometimes too stuck in his ways. We need the other shifters."

"I know." Ian's eyes skirted away. His shoulders hunched for a second before falling when he sighed. "I heard from Yanna this morning?"

"You did?" My ears perked up. "What did she say? Tell me everything?"

A pink tint coloured his cheeks. "Well I'm not going to tell you everything." He stressed. "But her father has been talking and we might be getting somewhere."

"Somewhere with what?"

All of us turned in shock to find Julian there. Lounging against the open door just behind Kip. Who was still wheezing.

"Remind me to never put your protector on watch duty ever again Cassie." Ian muttered under his breath. His lips twitching.

"So what are you three talking about?" Striding into the room Julian came to stand at the edge of the mat. "What is getting somewhere?" He met each of our eyes in turn. I was the first one to look away.

"Cassie is." Ian said smoothly and I blinked up at him in surprise. It scared me sometimes how good a liar he was.

Julian's eyebrows shot up. "She is?"

I wanted to elbow him for the surprise in his voice. Sensing the tension, he looped his arm around my waist. "Not that I'm surprised." He added quickly. "She's my little fighter. Why don't you show me what you have been learning?"

I paled under the sweat and again Ian came to my rescue. "She's just fought. Why don't I show you how her young protector is coming along first. Kip." He barked out an order and the young man came towards us reluctantly. His head hanging low from the ten mile run in the rain Ian had just made him do for insubordination.

I hid my smile under my hand as he groaned stepping onto the mat. I knew he didn't want to fight Ian because he would get his ass kicked but he wasn't about to say anything either. Kip had my back.

Stepping back we went to stand against the wall and the entire time Julian's arm stayed around my waist. I watched as Ian lunged and Kip fell for it just like I always did.

The fight was over pretty quickly but I knew they were dragging it out for my benefit. I had come a long way since we had started training and carrying on our secret meetings every day but I still had a long way to go and Julian would notice.

The bout came to an end suddenly when Kip got his shoulder under Ian and flipped him. Scarlett gasped and my mouth opened in shock.

"Well that was unexpected." Ian chuckled. He tapped the mat and Kip jumped to his feet. His young face beaming with pride. "Well done Kip." Climbing up after him , he clapped the younger man on the shoulder harder than was expected.

"Well done indeed." Julian clapped hard. "Cassie seems to have chosen well."

Kip grinned and I grinned right back at him. I knew I had been right. There was something about him.

"You're all full of surprises aren't you." Julian continued and turning to me. My smile faded, my heart sank. "Now why don't you show me what you're made of?"

"She would your highness. But the last match she hurt my ribs pretty bad." Scarlett made a pained look as she held her ribs theatrically.

Julian reached out and brushed my hair behind my ear. "I'm sure my wife would be happy to show me what's she made of."

I stared at him open mouthed. He couldn't be serious? Could he? "You want to fight me?" I whispered, sending an imploring look at Ian who shrugged.

"Unless you don't think you can take me?" Julian goaded me. "I can go easy on you?"

"Go kick his ass Cassie." Ian laughed. And I looked between the two of them bewildered. I was no way ready to fight my husband. He would wipe the floor with me in three seconds flat.

"You're the only one of us who can." He nodded his head. "Trust your instincts." He added.

Taking a deep breath I nodded and stepped on to the mat.

Fuck