Page 68 of Fallout

Blaine crosses his arms over his chest. “She needs the training, Parker. She couldn’t get away from Will, even though he was barely using any of his strength.”

My jaw drops open.

Will was barely using any strength?

“I don’t think she could get away from a human as pathetic as her attempts were,” Will says.

My stomach aches at the insult.

Okay, maybe I was pathetic in my attempts, but they don’t have to be so mean about it. I didn’t think I was that bad.

“She doesn’t need to learn how to protect herself,” Parker says, his eyes still golden amber. “Because it is my job to protect her. It’s your job to protect her. She is going to be your luna one day. She is to be protected at all costs.”

Will and Blaine both lower their heads. It’s then that I realize the magic behind his words.

Parker was giving them a command.

I poke his chest with my index finger. “Parker, stop that. It’s rude to use your alpha powers on them when they were only doing what I asked them to do.”

Parker looks at me and his eyes slowly fade from amber to blue. My body relaxes a little as I see his natural eye color.

“I asked them to teach me how to fight. I would’ve asked you, except you’re always so busy with your alpha duties. We hardly get any time together and I don’t want to spend our time doing things like this.” I point at the grass where I was sparing with Will and Blaine. “Besides, you heard them. I’m pathetic.” I lower my head as I say the words.

I’m not even strong enough to hold my own against a human. I really don’t have a chance against the phoenix.

Parker puts his fingers under my chin and gently budges my head up. When I meet his eyes, he’s giving me such a sad look that it brings tears to my own eyes.

“Henley, why do you feel the need to learn how to fight? Do you have no faith in me as your mate? As your alpha?”

I swallow hard. “It’s not that, I promise. I do trust you. I just… I want to be able to protect myself. I want to be able to protect you.”

Will and Blaine both stiffen behind me and it’s then I remember they said I shouldn’t tell Parker that I wanted to protect him.

Oops… I guess that was the wrong thing to say.

I stand up straighter, continuing before Parker can respond. “I’m new to this world, Parker. I don’t understand all the rules. I just know that I love you. You’re the other half of my soul. And the urge that you feel to protect me is something I feel too. The difference is that I have no idea how to go about protecting you. I’m at a loss here. Don’t be mad at Will and Blaine, they were just doing what I asked them to do.”

Parker sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. I watch him, waiting to see what his reaction will be. At least his eyes are blue now, that’s a good sign.

Parker turns to look at Blaine, then his gaze settles on Will. “I expected this out of Blaine, but not you.”

Will turns his gaze to me for a moment, then he looks at Parker. “You say you didn’t expect it, but if I had known how weak she was, I would’ve insisted on this sooner. She’s right, Parker.”

I flinch at his harsh words but try not to take them to heart. If Will is being as honest as I suspect him, he’s not saying the words to criticize me. He’s saying them for Parker. Because Parker needs to know. And, if Will has his way, he’ll turn me into a worthy opponent.

“Then I should be the one to teach her,” Parker says.

I shake my head. “No.”

Parker turns to me, his nostrils flaring. “What?”

“I said no.” I cross my arms over my chest, not backing down. “You’re my mate. You’ll take it easy on me. You seen Will and Blaine—they may hold back based on my skill level, but they’re not afraid to hurt me. But you could never hurt me—your wolf wouldn’t let you.” I hold up my scraped arm for him to see. “You would’ve stopped the second I got this.”

Parker’s eyes flash gold again.

Will and Blaine both smartly take a step back.

I put my hand on Parker’s chest to stop him from moving forward—not that I could actually stop him if he wanted.