Page 26 of Demon Rejected

“Let’s see how many laps you can do. Just take it slow until you warm up.”

After half a lap, my lungs started to burn. I had that stabbing feeling in my side. Now I remember why I always skipped physical education in school. Only makes you sweaty and tired. I like physical stuff like kicking ass, not running around. The air that tasted sweet before was feeling like inhaling sharp blades that cut into my throat and chest. My feet turned to lumps of lead that made the movement difficult. My eyes burned from the sweat that was dripping into my eyes.

Fuck.

I didn’t even complete the lap and was huffing and puffing.

Matt stood there next to the pile of split wood, looking like a damn Greek God and wearing a cocky smile.

“Want some company?"

I was too exhausted to try to reply, my breath creating small clouds of fog. A groan escaped my lips.

“That bad, huh?"

The asshole was in the mood to gloat. Damn.

“Little Flame, just focus on your breathing. Take it slow. Your body gets into panic mode and your breath is shallow. Inhale, hold it, run two steps and exhale. Try it."

Another groan was directed toward the hot wolf shifter. Damn him and his impeccable damn shape!

Matt stopped, and I stopped with him.

“May I?"

My body burned severely and my feet hurt. I just grunted again. Matt stepped behind me, put one palm on my belly and another one on my shoulder. He was so warm. Again my damn self was tempted to lean into him and search for whatever it was that attracted me so much to him.

“Good. Breathe in."

I did as he said.

“Hold your breath, count to fifteen and exhale slowly. Try to do that as you jog."

My grunting sounded redundant. Damn. Even after he took his hands away, the heat that floated from his skin burned my blood and made me feel so alive. In for a penny in for a buck, I started running again and did what he said. He was right. The second lap felt easier.

Matt stopped and watched me.

After three laps, Matt asked me to stop.

“Am I done for today?"

“Oh no. See those two buckets?" Matt smiled a cocky smile, and I wanted to kick him into the sheens. “Take those buckets, walk down to the pond, fill them and bring them back.

“Why? We have running water?"

“Because I said so. Try to spill as little as possible."

The buckets looked old, like two centuries-old rusty metallic buckets with handles that cut into my palm as they were empty.

“Get moving. See that barrel there? You can stop when it’s full."

“What?"

“Little Flame, now, you can’t have breakfast until you get this done!"

“Yeah, boss. Will go now, boss."

Grabbing the two buckets, I was about to walk towards the forest.