“Never for him, but there may come a time he will need you at his side, not cowering behind his tail.”Rieka set her fists on her hips.
Even as she stared at Rieka’s face, she kept one eye on the woman’s hands.
“Your concern is just like his.The bitches are always in heat.Never forget that someone wants to take your spot even after you’re fully claimed.Minsi knew this.Even though Chanin refused to make her his mate, she managed to maintain her place in Chanin’s bed because she spent years terrorizing the single she-wolves in the Pack, ensuring none of them had the tits to step up to her.She always struck first.”
“Chanin just allowed her to harass others?”Morlie tried to fit that piece into the image of Chanin she was building.Knowing he would continue to have sex with a woman who was so vicious to others unsettled Morlie.
Rieka shook her head.“It isn’t about allowing anything.Males don’t like to involve themselves in the rivalry of females.The hierarchy must be established and maintained.”
“But he defended me,” Morlie recalled, getting up from the ground after Minsi’s attack and seeing Chanin’s wolf snarling and ready to rip out the other woman’s throat.
“Because you were a human.Unless provoked, it is against our laws to attack a weaker species.As Alpha, he had to put her in her place with a warning.”
A warning.Morlie didn’t like Minsi, but she hoped things wouldn’t get to the point that Chanin had to put down the other woman.However, now that Morlie understood some of the Pack mentality, now more than ever, she wanted to ensure Minsi and any other female Lupine recognized her place beside Chanin and that nothing but death would remove her from it.
She’d beat death once, and this time, she’d do it by her own might.
“What do I need to know?”she asked, even as she realized the sting in her skin was already beginning to ebb away.“Should I shift?”
“No.Your wolf has an innate sense of survival.”
Morlie nodded, understanding what Rieka meant.Her wolf was capable, but her human side was weak.“Then let’s get started.”
A small smile tilted one corner of Rieka’s mouth.She glanced down.“Let’s start with your posture and stance.”
Following Rieka’s gaze, Morlie stared at her feet and her hands at her sides.“What’s wrong with the way I’m standing?”
“You look weak.”Rudie declared from the kitchen as she stood at the island, scraping out the stringy meat of the squash with a fork.
Shocked, Morlie eyed the short woman.Before she could comment, Rieka drew her attention back to her.
“Your shoulders are slumped forward as if you lack confidence, and your feet are too close together.”
Attempting to change things up, Morlie widened her feet and pressed her elbows into her side to help keep her shoulders back.“Like this?”
Rudie burst out laughing while she chopped the leftover roasted rabbit.“You look like a peacock.”
She shot a scowl at her friend.“You’re not helping.”
“But she is right.”Rieka arched a single brow as she circled her.“Instead of trying to fake a strong position, just set your shoulders back and push your tits out.They’re on the small side, which will also help with that problem.”
Morlie gasped at the insult.Taking in the toned, svelte figure of the woman before her, Morlie admitted her petite frame felt emaciated and flimsy.
Rieka didn’t even pause as she continued, “Lift your chin so that it is level to the ground.”
At first, it felt odd, but she followed Chanin’s mother’s instructions.“Am I trying to show I’m tough or attract a male?”
“Both.A confident woman is a strong woman.”Standing behind her, Rieka continued.“You are my son’s mate—the one the Great Spirit chose for him.Chanin will be faithful and never stray, but you always want his attention, desire, and respect.With that, you will both be pleased for decades to come.”
Morlie listened to the wisdom of the woman and took it all in.She knew Chanin lusted for her now, but what if it wore off?Would he regret being stuck with her?Possibly resent their match?She wouldn’t let that happen.
Rieka tapped the outside of one of Morlie’s feet.“Shoulder-width apart and shift the opposite foot of your dominant hand forward slightly.”
As Morlie did as she was told, Rieka continued, “Hmm, you're left-handed.Good.Drop your right hip.”
“Why is it good?”Morlie met Rieka’s gaze when the older woman moved before her again.
“No one ever sees the first strike of a lefty coming.”Rieka’s smile was slow and small.
