Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 236

"This," I said, raising my voice over the murmurs, "is what we're facing. And you're going to learn how to fight it."

"Get into your stances," I commanded. "He's not here for show. He's here to help you train."

Some hesitated. I didn't give them time to dwell on it. "Now."

That snapped them into motion.

The first round of drills began. Brian was fast—inhumanly fast-faster than any vampire or werewolf I'd seen-switching forms mid-combat, exploiting blind spots, adapting to their attacks with chilling ease.

He was stronger than most of the warriors could comprehend. He held back, but he didn't go easy on them. I could tell. He wasn't here to maim. He was there to help.

It was almost mesmerizing. And terrifying.

Micah, Jason, and I stood back, just watching.

"Damn," Jason muttered. "He's efficient."

"Calculated," Micah added. "Doesn't waste energy."

I nodded, arms folded, eyes on every movement. "That's how the rest of them fight. They are ruthless."

We kept watching, analyzing every strike, every maneuver. Brian didn't brag, didn't showboat. He was quiet. Precise. Lethal.

It had been maybe thirty minutes when a giggle broke the tension. That's the only warning I got.

Something warm and small slammed into my chest.

warm and small slammed into my

I instinctively caught her.

shock as her little arms wrapped around my neck, and she beamed

found you!"

ground went completely

and touched my cheek, her smile

aching swell

cracked me open with nothing but a smile and those bright, trusting eyes. She didn't care that warriors were staring. That gasps echoed across the

I

smiled. "You found

that I dream of you and that I will find you with my nose. I told her you smell like fire and

laughed. It caught

brushing her tiny nose

you

wide. "You

Disney shows with Piper when she was young, I am proud to say that

are my

a hush falling over the warriors as they took

cradling Aspen

conversation with her.

I said, without looking away from

butterfly, she'd seen outside the

cleared his throat behind

around my shoulder. "Hi," she

smiled. "Hey there, little