Caged

Chapter 11.

"Wh-what?" I breathed. I needed a moment. I never thought I'd have to deal with jealousy over a touch again but here we were.

He took a deep breath through his nose and his eyes opened, swirling darker. "What male touched you?"

His grip tightened slightly and I felt the heat radiating from him. Anger I hadn't felt in a long time welled inside of me. "Let go of me." I said firmly, quickly yanking my wrist away. I took a calming breath and tried to focus on his question instead of the tone in his voice. "It was nothing. Some guy stopping me from going into the training center earlier."

He wrinkled his nose in distaste before taking a calming breath, pinching his fingers between his brows. "I'm sorry Lili. I shouldn't have reacted that way. It's the damn bond messing with my head."

I nodded and crossed my arms across my chest as he looked up. His eyes has returned to their normal gorgeous blue and they looked conflicted as they gazed into my own. He reached out and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me reluctantly closer to him as I stood between his knees. "I mean it. I'm sorry. I won't do that again. I should never have touched you like that."

I sighed and let my arms fall from my chest. "It's ok. I'm sorry. It just felt a little too...familiar."

His reached up and brushed my hair from my face before his thumb stroked against my cheek. "You do not have to worry about me. I will not hurt you. I promise."

His eyes swirled with emotion before he leaned forward, brushing his lips softly against mine. I felt myself relaxing in his warmth as the bond coursed through us, electricity surging beneath his every touch. My heart fluttered and I felt myself relaxing as I leaned in to the kiss, deepening it.

A soft knock sounded on the door behind me. He pulled away after a long moment and sighed, leaning back to look at me. "I need to finish up some things here. Will you be all right for a while longer on your own?"

I nodded with a small smile. "Yeah. I actually met Elliott's daughter Ivy at breakfast. She invited me to meet with her training group at 2. So I'll be there if you need me."

His brows rose and he chuckled. "Really? Looks like someone works fast. Just be careful. Some of those she-wolves are vicious."

I stepped away and headed for the door, speaking over my shoulder as I walked away. "I think I can handle it."

I heard him laugh quietly as I walked out of his office and down the long hall toward my room. I slowly made my way back to change into a sports bra and fitted workout tank and pulled my hair up into a high ponytail before making my way down to grab a quick bite to eat. The dining hall was busy with some of the same faces from breakfast. I finished my plate and checked the clock. 1:30. May as well make my way over to the training center instead of wasting any more time. I placed my plate in the slot for dirty dishes and walked out and around the main house, coming toward the training facility. A guard stood out front, inspecting any strange faces approaching.

He stood at attention as I arrived before grumbling out, "Who are you?"

I gave him a small smile and nodded. "I'm Lili Walker. I've been invited by Ivy to join in the session at 2."

He eyed me for a moment before opening the door for me. I nodded a thank you and stepped inside. As my eyes adjusted, my jaw dropped at the sheer size of it. From the outside, you could not possibly tell how large this building truly was. Upon entry, there was a large field with track and obstacles for training. To the right was a ring for sparring, and to the left was a full gym for strengthening. It was incredible.

Just inside the door to the right I could see a small group of four men training. They were sparring while being observed by a tall younger male. He would bark out a position and they would begin to fight, changing as he commanded a shift in position. I watched as the intensity slowly built and before long the fight was down to three on one. The one jumped to fight off one and I realized it was Asher. One male lunged for him and he easily slide away while another struck his back hard. He staggered but quickly jumped to face them, wrenching them to the ground and avoiding another direct hit before kicking the legs out from under the third. His movements were quick and precise, landing exactly where he needed them to. The observer finally called for them to break and the three walked over for water and rest. Asher caught my eye and began walking toward me. As he did, the fifth male turned and I saw that it was Weston.

"Hey. You coming in to see the females train?" He said, nodding my way as he took a gulp of water. He barely seemed out of breath.

I nodded and smiled. "Yeah. Just waiting. You were incredible out there."

He shook his head and laughed. "Yeah except that one of those dicks caught me in the back."

I heard the sound of heckling coming from behind him and saw that it was the one who landed the punch. "Lucky shot." He said with an eye roll before turning back to face me. "So have you had any type of training?"

I hesitated but answered. "Not formally no but..."

"Lili! I'm so glad you made it!" I heard Ivy's voice walking behind me and turned to see her stepping up to my side.

I beamed a smile at her and tucked a stray hair behind my ear that had fallen from my already loosening ponytail. "Me too. I am excited to see how you train. I'd love to learn whatever I can." I said.

As I answered I saw the two of them smirking at each other. "So, who got you this time?" She said with a chuckle.

Asher scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Don't start with me. It was a lucky shot. It was three on one for fuck's sake."

"Mmhmm." She teased before leaned forward and kissing him tenderly.

"Time to start again gentlemen!" Weston called from behind Asher.

He nodded in acknowledgement before winking at Ivy. "Gotta go kick some ass. See ya later babe."

She giggled as he trotted back to the group and turned to see my look of surprise, only laughing harder. "Is it that shocking?"

I quickly shut my mouth and shook my head. "Oh no! I just didn't realize that's all. He doesn't talk much." I said with a chuckle.

She smiled and scratched her nose. "You just have to get him going. Once you do, he doesn't shut up." She said lowly.

She turned and we began walking toward an empty place in the field, waiting for the other ladies who began trickling in. Eight females had come in and were beginning to make their way over to us.

"So how much training have you had?" Ivy asked.

"No formal training. Just some minor help here and there. Honestly, please treat me like a beginner." I said quickly.

"Ok, well there is an odd number with you right now so you can pair with me ok?" She said with a smile.

I nodded but quickly dropped it as a familiar tall thin female with long raven hair walked in.

"Ugh I hoped she wouldn't come but of course she can't help herself." Ivy said lowly so that only I could hear.

The females gathered around and Soleil quickly made her way to the front of the group, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she eyed Ivy as she spoke.

Ivy instructed the girls to pair off, and before I could walk over to the smaller brunette next to me, Soleil strutted to stand just in front of me. "I'll take the new girl then."

I nodded and Ivy gave me an apologetic smile before moving to back to the front. "Ok ladies. Take your stances."

The females around me took their fighting positions, either in offense or defense and I turned to see Soleil crouching down in her stance.

"I'll start with offense. Hope you don't mind." She snarked before slinging her hair back over her shoulder again.

"Fine by me." I said, keeping my voice even as I raised my fists into a defensive position in front of my face. What she didn't know, was that I had plenty of life experience on this side of an attack.

"Begin!" Ivy barked.