"Asshole!" I grunt bitterly, clutching my jaw where he'd cheap shotted me.
My fist collides with his nose, the slight crunch telling me that I definitely fractured it. It makes me feel better about my jaw.
Swiftly ducking from his attack, I punch his hard abdomen in hopes of slowing him down. Maddox gives as good as he takes, meaning that every training session ends in blood and sweat.
I've noticed the more I train with Maddox, the easier it's becoming to recover from each blow. I could barely take a punch off Kade, and now Maddox is punching me, and it barely knocks my attention from my opponent.
"You realise next week is our last session right?" Maddox breathes, hunched over to get his breath back.
I'm not better, my heart pounds in my chest, my skin clammy and burning hot. My limbs feel practically lifeless, but it's a good feeling, or it will be once I shower.
"Can I convince you into extending the six weeks into twelve?" I manage to say, gulping down some water to ease my dry throat.
Maddox shakes his head, smirking. "You're insane."
I chuckle. "I call it enthusiastic."
"If only you felt the same way towards your marriage." Maddox snorts, his back to me as he grabs his towel from the bench.
"Excuse me?" I quiz defensively, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion.
"No offence to you, Hardin is driving everyone nuts, if he's not day dreaming about you then he's too busy beating the crap out of the punching bags in his gym." Maddox is literally appalled by it.
"Kinda' seems like his problem, not mine." I retort coldly.
"I just meant that if you want back in with the pack, then make it perfectly clear." Maddox sighs.
"I have, he doesn't listen." I state, glaring at Maddox in anger. He assumes that he has the right to bring up my non-existent relationship with Hardin.
"Talk louder." Maddox says, like it's the most simple thing in the world.
I felt irritated beyond belief.
"See you next week." I mutter with distaste, grabbing my towel and exiting the training room.
My first destination is the shower, so I can get clean and patch up the minor cuts on my face and hands. The first week was worse, I thought I'd broken at least half my ribs. I didn't, but I certainly felt like it.
"How'd it go?" Jackson collars me from the kitchen as I pass it, rushing to catch up with me.
"Fine." I exhale.
"We've been stuck in this place for months now, don't you want to explore Italy?" Jackson asks hopefully, using a tone that I know he only uses to guilt trip me into doing something.
"Jackson, I love you...but you're not driving my car." I muse, knowing exactly what he wants.
"Come on! I won't put a scratch on it." He practically begs.
"When you can ride Apollo, I'll let you drive my car." I smirk, entering my room and closing the door in his face.
"That's cruel!" I hear him shout through the door, utterly appalled by my answer.
Laughing, I strip off and jump in the shower, finally scrubbing away the sweat.
*
*
*
"How're you doing, huh?" I approach Apollo lovingly, but he's more agitated than usual. Maybe he's tired of being in his stall?
With a smile I put his bridle on, keeping ahold of him as I let him out of his stall. Instead of riding him, I grab the long lead rope from the equipment pile and clip it to his head collar.
Apollo walks behind me as I lead him away from the single stable and around to the front of the huge mansion. Truth is, the mansion is like a castle, and the land around it is heavily guarded. But it's all woods, meaning the only place I can work with Apollo is out front.
Clicking my tongue, I signal him to start walking as I let out the lead, moving away a couple of feet. Apollo begins to walk, and I use the slack end of the lead as a guide to keep him moving where I want him. Not only will this tire him out, but it teaches him to follow direction.
For a while I work him, back and forth, around and around, and around again until his breathing is heavier, and I know he's somewhat tired.
So I reign him in, praising him with a kiss and strokes.
"You're a good boy, huh." I smile at the large beast, leading him back to the stable so I can brush him out and cool him down. The heat is beginning to pick up, Apollo doesn't like it much.
"Didn't know you were into horses." Maddox's voice fills the air, and yet he doesn't come close.
Apollo becomes a little antsy, shifting to the side as if to make sure he can see Maddox.
"I wasn't, but he was too beautiful to pass up." I admit, stroking the large stallion affectionately.
"You know those things are dangerous, right? They pack as much power as a grown wolf, and they don't much like wolves." Maddox comments, telling me nothing I didn't already know.
"You're scared of a horse?" I retort with amusement, rising my eyebrows at him.
Maddox is on edge, and he doesn't like my taunting. I suppose it must be very emasculating to be afraid of a horse, while someone as small as me owns one.
"You're insane." Is all he says, ignoring my previous comment.
"Do you need something or?" I ask curiously, not exactly certain of why he's still here.
He clicks his fingers, as if remembering something.
"Right. I just got a call from Hardin and he's refusing to renew the alliance because it was a deal I made with you, except you're not part of that pack anymore." Maddox explains.
Every alliance is renewed after five years, which means it most likely ran on a couple months ago and Maddox has been trying to get it signed by Hardin. Except Hardin is refusing.
"Tell him that-"
"I did." Maddox states.
With a sigh, I place the brush down, giving Maddox my full attention.
"What do you expect me to do?" I question.
"Anything necessary, he needs this agreement as much as I do." Maddox tells me.
Hardin needs the wolves, and Maddox needs the alliance. The promise that Hardin will have his back during any crisis.
"I'll talk to him, but I'm not making any promises." I say with a stern glare, not exactly pleased that I have to face Hardin so soon.
Hardin is stubborn, he knows by refusing Maddox it will involve me. Maybe that's his plan?
"I appreciate it, thanks." Maddox gives me a respectful nod before leaving, for real this time.
With a heavy exhale of air, I turn to Apollo and rest my head on his firm belly.
"I wish I could take you with me." I sigh, resuming brushing him.
While I'd love nothing more than to have this conversation over the phone, I get the feeling Hardin won't agree. The Elders don't get involved in these kind of issues, they find it best not to take sides when it comes to alliances.
Leaving it to little old me.
YOU ARE READING
ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️
WerewolfLife after the ceremony was different. Kali was completely alone for the first time in her life, no parents making her obey, no mate to confide in. Still, she found ways to adapt. Five years. Five years since she laid eyes on the man she once ador...
