Page 18 of Crystal Luna

“Beta Wayne did.”

“Well, let’s find you a good fit, shall we?”

She followed him to the equipment room where he studied her hands before selecting his first weapon.

“You don’t want anything too big. It should feel comfortable, but not heavy. It shouldn’t restrict your movements.”

After he’d picked a few for her to try out, he guided her back into the gym.

“Have you ever been attacked with a knife?”

She shook her head.

“Let me show you a few ways to disarm your opponent without harming yourself.”

And so he did. He was every bit as patient as Marvin, just more serious. He made sure to give her breaks and let her practise the techniques as often as she needed. She was very cautious of herself with him, not wanting to disappoint him with her slow-moving progress.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re doing well.”

Her cheeks flushed as she tried to free herself from his grip, like he’d shown her.

“There you go. Soon the movements will go much smoother. You just have to practise.”

“Okay.”

“I think you’ve done enough for today.”

Before she could say anything else, the door burst open and a mob of heated warriors stepped in.

“Look, you can say whatever you want but you won’t fucking beat me,” one laughed.

“You’re too fucking arrogant, Rayan.”

“I think I’m allowed to be.”

Some laughed and another whispered, “He’s gonna get his ass kicked.”

“I’ll take bets,” a blond man commented from the back before his eyes found her and his alpha. “Moneyless bets of course,” he quickly added.

Alpha Heath chuckled and picked up his water bottle from the floor. “That’s my cue to go.”

She watched as he left and quickly gathered her own things. She was about to pick up the daggers they’d used when the blond man stepped closer.

“Don’t worry about them. We’ll use them.”

“Oh, okay.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Velora, right?”

She nodded.

“Keelan.”

She took his outstretched hand, surprised at his gentle grip.

“So, you chose the daggers?” He must have seen the confusion on her face and added, “We all had to choose what we prefer. At least at the beginning. I chose the guns.”

“Because he’s a pussy,” Rayan snarled behind him. “He’s afraid of close combat.”