The One He Claimed

Chapter 47: Sparring

Hunter

As I was sparring with my mate yesterday, I realized that she was getting into her own head. She knows how to spar, but whether she just needs to get back into it or she needs to realize she won't hurt me, I'm not sure, but by the end, I was starting to see her training coming through. Another week and I think she'll be back, maybe not to full fighting strength, but back to being able to hold her own.

I know the pack is still stunned with Sophie's acceptance of me and of our touching in public. They've been around Kinsley for a year and I'm sure it hasn't gone unnoticed that Lucas never touches her in public, or on the rare occasion that he does, she jerks away from him.

Sophie is the exact opposite. It's like she craves my touch. When I had pinned her down, I'd heard Allison's gasp, saw the moment when she considered attacking me. I was glad she held off because I'm not sure how Sophie would have responded. We're still new in our mating and another she-wolf tackling me, even if she thought she was protecting Sophie, probably wouldn't have gone over well with my mate.

'Maybe jealousy is the way to get her out of her sparring shell,' Shaw says, pleased with the idea that our mates might be jealous of another woman touching us.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

'Killing the she-wolves we promised refuge to isn't helpful,' I reply, wryly. 'Sophie will get there. I'm sure you felt Hedda's frustration like I did.'

'Yes. I don't like my mate feeling frustrated,' he says, contritely.

'Neither do I,' I tell him. So today, I'm going to change things up with Sophie. I' m going to go on the attack, and I want to see how she blocks. My mate isn't a fighter, so perhaps her skill is better seen when she goes on the defensive.

As we walk out to the training field, my mate smelling of me and me of her from our morning love-making, I think about Allison and Letti's concerns about Alphas Kayce and Robin coming to visit. It's a valid concern and one I' m debating on how to handle. I briefly consider cancelling their visit, but I

need them on my side when Sophie and I meet with the council next week.

I decide on how to approach them with the knowledge that I'm housing she- wolves who have run from their packs as Lucas and I go through the warm- up. I can already tell that Sophie is better today than she was yesterday. I'm also excited to see Allison and Letti joining the group. They ordered clothing last night when they returned from seeing Nikki, but it hasn't arrived yet. However, Sophie and Kinsley were able to find them some clothing so they could participate today.

After the warm-up, I ask if they want to be paired together, rather than with other warriors in the pack. Both women should have been involved in sparring in their packs because they are ranked she-wolves. However, Letti seems to have less training. When Allison agrees to pair off with other warriors, I put her with Lucas, expecting that her skill set will be similar to his and I pair Letti with a warrior. I intend to continue working with Sophie while the rest of the group learns from one of Alpha Carter's warriors.

When everyone is paired off, I pull Sophie aside. Last night was eye-opening for me to find out what positions my mate is enjoying and it spurred my ideas for new positions as well. Since she chose being on top and riding me, I chose spinning her around and having her ride me in a reverse cowgirl position. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure my mate really enjoyed that position too, so if she defeats me today, I expect that she'll choose that one as one of her positions tonight. I love that no matter if I win or lose in our sparring, I still win. My mate is adventurous, and her body is so responsive to mine that no matter what position we're in, we're both able to find pleasure and our release together.

I watch as Sophie takes a stance as if she's ready to attack.

"I want to try something different today. You're not a fighter by nature. You're good at fighting, but your nature isn't that of a fighter, so rather than you attacking, I want you to go on defense and see how you block and counter my attack on you," I say.

She frowns, standing up out of her crouch. "You think it matters?"

"Maybe not, but there's one way to find out," I tell her. "When you're ready," I say.

She gets into a defensive stance and nods. I start off easy, coming at her, but not too hard, letting her adjust to my larger size and body weight. However, very quickly I realize that this is working much better for her. I was right, my mate isn't a fighter, but if she's in a position where she has to fight, she's more than capable of taking down her opponent.

I begin attacking harder, moving faster to get to her, but she's blocking me, getting in her own strikes to push me back or get out of the hold I put her in, even some of the holds she wasn't getting out of yesterday.

"Come on, Sophie. I'm an Alpha. You can't hurt me. Give me everything you've got. I need to know you can defend yourself against an opponent, especially another Alpha. If you're going to hit me, hit me like you mean it," I tell her, going at her hard again.

This time, she blocks, and her punch is hard enough that I can feel it.

"There you go, come on, Sophie. You're an Alpha wolf, you can punch harder, you can move faster," I encourage her.

She blocks me again, and again her punch is decent, but it's not as strong as I know she is.

"Come on, Sophie. Imagine I'm Alpha Owen. I'm hunting you down, tackling you to the ground, ready to claim you. Is that how hard you're going to hit me? Because I'm just going to keep coming for you until I sink my canines into your neck and claim you as mine," I say, trying to get her to stop pulling her

punches.

This time, she doesn't, and holy shit can my girl throw a punch. I shouldn't be able to breathe, but Shaw heals me.

'You're welcome for the quick healing, now get your ass moving,' Shaw says, but I can hear the pride in his voice at our mate's strength. I feel like my words opened pandora's box, because Sophie is fighting hard. She gone from defense to offense, kicking and punching until I'm the one stepping back and nearly losing my footing. It's taking all my strength and training to block some of her hardest hits, so I'm not bruised for half the day.

She's coming at me hard and fast. I can see the anger in her eyes, the ferocity in her, the determination that no one will ever claim her like that. When I finally get an opening, I grab her arm, whipping her around and pining her back against my chest, her arms crossed in front of her. Both of us are panting, gasping for air at the battle my little mate just gave me.

I bite down on her ear, gently. "You win, my love. You are fucking fantastic and sexy as hell. I'm so proud to call you my mate," I say to her. She turns her head to look at me, pulling her ear from my teeth. "That really pissed me off, because it almost happened."

"I know, but you're mine now and Owen better keep his filthy paws off you."

I feel the shift in her emotions, going from anger to desire. It's not uncommon after a battle, and especially when I know she can feel my pride in her through our bond. I lean in and take her mouth in a dirty, possessive kiss, growling my possession over this incredible woman loud enough for all to hear.

Our moment is broken by the clapping of our warriors all around us. Sophie jumps and I release her, but she immediately turns, leaning her body against mine.

"What? You've never seen two mates kissing before?" she says, repeating my words from yesterday and making me bark out a laugh. Damn, I'm a lucky bastard.

I feel even luckier a moment later. "Here, let me give you something to clap about," she says, and jumps into my arms, wrapping her body around me as she initiates the same possessive kiss I just gave her. The pack begins howling and clapping, but this isn't the same feeling that you have at a marking ceremony. This is happiness and pride that I feel running through the entire pack. They are proud that their Alpha and Luna are so much in love.

When she pulls away, she hops out of my arms and takes my hand, leading me back inside. Her eyes are twinkling with mischief, and I can't fucking wait until tonight, to see what positions my adventurous mates wants to try as part of winning today's wager.

It isn't until we pass them, that I realize that Allison and Letti are standing there with looks of shock, a hint of fear, and incredulity on their faces at Sophie's very public display in front of our warriors and pack members. Good, maybe they can tell Alphas Kayce and Robin exactly what they've seen between me and Sophie while they've been here. I really could use two more Alphas on my side when we face the Committee of Alphas.