“I forgot to transition my fingers to claws! Okay. Again.”
We continue until it is too dark to carry on without risking serious injury. Walking back, we discuss her belief that it was such a simple task.
“Sloane is one of our best at that task. Sloane! What did you think the first time you were asked to climb a tree?”
“Alpha Lyle, I thought it was a pup's game when I was first asked. I soon learned how difficult it truly was to do it well. It’s a science all of its own to be able to transition only parts of your body at will and climb fast without disturbing too many small twigs and leaves. To get to be the best, you can only train in one tree once. Learning where the best handholds and where the best placement for your feet are, is simple in the same tree. It does you no good though when you are in a forest surrounded by strange trees. You have to develop an instinct so your hands and feet almost work independently of your eyes and mind.”
Fenya laughs, and Sloane looks at her warily. “I have never in my life heard someone speak so passionately about climbing a tree.”
“Wait until we have the next warrior competition. Then you’ll see how passionate warriors can get about it. I’ll have you know we have had to invent a rule book for climbing trees! Wolf nails have to be natural. Shifters have filed sawtooth edges on to their wolf’s nails to give them an edge. They starve themselves for days before a contest, eating only certain proteins and foods to be as light as possible. Warriors are weighed throughout the year to prevent this.”
“They are truly this competitive over climbing a tree?” Fenya gasps.
“Fenya, you have no idea what that trainer started when he taught Luna Tati this skill. It improves not only the warrior's coordination but their stamina and resilience. The competitionrequires you to climb to a given height and be back on the ground, five times as fast as you can. You cannot just leap down from any height either. The judge determines the height before each trial.” I grimace when I remember Tati beating me up and down those damn trees near Lykos’ farm all that time ago.
As Fenya and I approach the door to her suite, we stop and look at each other. I can’t help but say, “If it weren’t for your uncertainty of our mating bond, I would kiss you right now, Fenya Stormhowl.”
“If it weren’t for my own uncertainty, Lyle Walker, I would have kissed you when we were on the darn couch.”
I’m still standing there, mouth open when the door closes.
Chapter 18
FENYA
Leaning with my back pressed against the door to my suite, I wait to hear Lyle’s footsteps as he walks away. It takes longer than I thought it would before I hear them. Even then, I am tempted to rip the door off its hinges and pursue him to the Alpha suite.
Do it! Do it!Astra begs.
‘No, I will not. I have something to do first, then we will have our mate.’
If he’ll have you after that,Astra snorts.
‘No one has ever valued my opinion before. I’ve been asked questions, but never for an opinion. Not even Alpha Falan has asked for my considered opinion. It is refreshing to be valued for more than your warrior skills. What is even more surprisingis that he genuinely listened and seemed interested in my thoughts. Our train of thought was also on parallel tracks.’
Do you know what I think? I think he has won you over without realizing it. Without it even costing him a pickernic!
I snicker, ‘Go to sleep.’
Waking early, I jump out of bed, use the toilet and dive into the shower. My morning routine hasn’t changed in many years. I slept soundly last night and feel energized this morning.
I am not surprised you are so full of yourself this morning. Your dreams were enlightening. I didn’t know you knew so much about the birds and the bees. You’re also quite imaginative in your choice of positions.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t remember having any dreams,’ I respond to Astra.
Unfortunately, I get to see them also sometimes, especially when I’m included in them. ‘Frigid bitch’ no longer applies. You can be ‘rampant rabbit’ from now on!
Choosing to ignore any further discussion about my erotic subconscious, I quickly dry myself, dress hurriedly, and head for the dining hall and a hearty breakfast. I am famished this morning.
All the energy you expended NOT having erotic dreams, I suspect.
Entering the dining hall, I see Chief Warrior Glen sitting alone. I like the title Chief Warrior far more than my own of Head Warrior, I have to say. It’s sounds more like what the role personifies. Filling a plate and grabbing two bottles of water, I head over to his table.
“Mind if I join you, Chief Warrior Glen?”
“By all means, feel free. I warn you now, though. I am not a morning person. Don’t expect riveting conversation at this hour.” He gives me what I suspect is hisdon’t mess with melook, but it doesn’t work well.
“Do you have any training happening this morning that I can observe, or perhaps join in with?” I ask this between mouthfuls of delicious food.
