In the Alpha’s Arms

New Body, Who’s This?

Cole spotted Ace as he bench–pressed three hundred pounds like it was nothing. The two weren’t working too hard, aware they needed to keep themselves injury–free for the fights tomorrow. It was just enough to work up healthy sweat and it was supposed to be enough to clear Cole’s head but it wasn’t working. Fucking Lita was all he could think about. Her scent, her face, the damn hour she spent sleeping on Brody’s shoulder on the way here. He tensed. It wasn’t fair for him to be jealous. He had to keep reminding himself that and yet it hadn’t gotten any closer to becoming true.

The last month spent avoiding each other had kept his feelings in check where Lita was concerned. Aside from sudden bursts of emotion at night, things were settled between them. But they were back in each other’s space dice more. He was finding it harder and harder to ignore her or the effect she had on him. Ace grunted, resting the bar back onto its holder. “So tell me, what’s going on? You’ve had something on your mind since we got here. I can tell. Is it Erica?”

Cole switched places with Ace, readying himself for his own set of presses. Pulling the bar free, he blew out a breath, “That’s dead and buried.”

“Yea what’s this the hundredth time you two have broken up? Two hundredth?”

“No.” Cole pressed and pushed more air out, “It’s permanent this time. I told her I found my mate….

didn’t

go over too well… but it is what it is.”

“No fucking way! You? A mate? What’s she got, a hunchback? One eye?” Ace laughed, holding his stomach, I definitely feel like fate would fuck you over like that. You’re good at everything as it is! Your mate can’t be pretty too, that’s too unfair! Fate should even your shit out.”

Cole grunted out a smile, repeating his mechanical motion of the bar, “She’s fuck it, she’s perfect. But…”

“But what?” Ace had gone back to taking his sporting position seriously, his hands hovering just under the bar.

“But she’s human. And she’s… complicated, Cole breathed, pushing the bar back into its holder. He wanted to explain more. Then he could really get Ace’s opinion but the stuff with Lita was private. It wasn’t the kind of thing he should repeat without her knowledge. So he let it go.

“And…. what does that mean? Are human mates less fun in bed or something?

“It dilutes the alpha bloodline, you know that. You know how much my father instilled that type of shit in me…” Cole got up, wrapping a towel around his neck to dab his forehead.

“Yea, but I also know you need to let that go. He was a bastard. L, for one, am glad he’s not in your life anymore. Let that fucked up alpha bloodline with him for all I care. Good riddance! Take your chances with the sexy human mate and have pups that come out however the fuck they come out,” Ace shrugged, his eyes flashing with seriousness.

“I never said she was sexy, you ass,”

ass. Cole rolled his eyes.

“Didn’t have to. I can see that look. Plus, fate isn’t as cruel as it should be.”

“Look, as much as I want to move on, the shit with my dad is hard to ignore. You know that better than most. And anyway in the heat of the moment, I kind of already told her I was rejecting her, Cole pursed his lips, knowing now that had definitely been a bad play, “And I would have already done it if my wolf wasn’t being so stubborn.”

asked, “How long have you

grimaced, knowing what Ace was getting at, “Two

his water bottle and towel, “Two months spent not claiming her and not rejecting her… sounds like you’re waiting for someone else

dead in the eye,

shrugged, “Snooze you lose, buddy,

angry with Cole. He

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New Body, Who’s This?

he was still fetting him decide his future. Cole wasn’t able to see it that way yet, but it was true. If he couldn’t

instead, Ace asked, “When do I get

this weekend, I’d expect,” Cole wiped his face with the towel, It’s not like she’s locked in my basement or something. But Ace, seriously,

to be offended,

wasn’t very crowded. The training facilities consisted of three rooms, each connected to the other so one had to walk through the first two, to get to

so was the cardio room, but the ring only had one or two other groups

vibes,” Jaz whispered loudly,

the abs but the heavy material of her clothes kept the force from

is crazy,” Stace growled, “I can’t fight you while you’re wearing five layers of hoodies… Take

Lita sulked. “But..

under all those clothes? I mean you look like

out of the ring. She went for the bench full of their stuff and started

sweatpants

Stace moved to hang over the comer of the ring as Jaz walked up to stand underneath, “You’ve honestly never been in better

I’ve been working these babies hard.” She slapped at her arms like they were prized possessions, “There’s not as many competitors as the men

together, “So… what do you think of the prospects? They began whispering the pros and cons of the two men fighting in another ring as Lita focused on what she was

the two hoodies until they fell at her feet and she couldn’t deny the relief she felt. She had been sweating like a sauna, noticing the trickles of sweat she felt roll down her abs. She wasn’t even sure why she kept hiding out in all these clothes, as if it would protect her from her ow emotions. It wouldnt. Nothing would. She kicked the material at her feet under the bench, then began

Tank Top

equipment room. Cole spotted Stace and at first, moving toward them, “Whats up ladies? Sparring before your big debut Stace? I hope you’re not nervous,

moved closer to him, leaving a gap of space behind her. From that angle, the men had a premium view

working the bags, I was spurring with Lita but she’s wearing ten pounds of clothes,” Stace rolled her eyes in Lita’s direction as Ace followed

as he finally noticed her. Then his eyes went to Cole and back to it, “You alright buddy?” Ace nudged Cole’s rib when the man froze in place. He might not have been breathing anymore

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New Body, Who’s This?