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.”

so?” Ace asked,

knowing what Ace was

not claiming her and not rejecting

in the

Are shrugged, “Snooze you lose, buddy, you

he was angry with Cole. He was letting his father win and

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New Body, Who’s This?

able to see it that way yet, but it was true. If he couldn’t see that truth for himself, Ace

that, so instead, Ace asked, “When do I get

expect,” Cole wiped his face with the towel, It’s not like she’s locked in my basement or something. But Ace, seriously, don’t start your shit…

would never… he pretended to be offended, putting his

nearby speaker, Lucky for them, this part of the gym wasn’t very crowded. The training facilities consisted of three rooms, each connected to

weight room. The weight room was hectic and so was the cardio room, but the ring only had one or two other groups sparring. They were the only women though and that fact didnt go unnoticed. J had made one or two

definitely sending interested vibes,” Jaz

hit Lita squarely in the abs but the heavy material of her clothes kept

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

Lita sulked. “But..

those clothes?

get back out of the ring. She went for the bench full

sweatpants

for Lita. Stace moved to hang over the

slapped at her arms like they were prized possessions, “There’s not as many competitors as the men but

what do you think of the prospects? They began whispering the pros and cons of the two men fighting in another ring

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.

Tank Top

each other as they walked through the doorway into the equipment room. Cole spotted Stace and at first, moving toward

of space behind her. From that angle, the men had a premium view of Lita tugging off the last of her clothes. She turned back

the bags, I was spurring with Lita but she’s wearing ten pounds of clothes,” Stace

caught in his throat as he finally noticed her. Then his eyes went to Cole and back to it, “You alright buddy?” Ace nudged Cole’s rib when

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New Body, Who’s This?