Mason's POV

"It's Millender again isn't it?" I asked as I barged into Grayson's office.

He nodded while he was looking at his laptop screen. He knew I was coming, so he didn't flinch like the recruit he had filing for him. "Finn’s trying to track down Millender's assigned alpha to see when Millender went AWOL."

When I glared at the recruit, he took the hint and walked quickly out of the room.

"Do we have a green light on him?" I wanted nothing more than to snap his neck like a twig.

Grayson shook his head, "Not yet. Finn wants to know for sure. He's sending Mikko down for backup."

"He's killed five of the wolves we were meant to protect. Mikko was supposed to be here weeks ago Grayson!" I was losing patience. I didn't have much to give in the first place. "Finn wants to cover his ass and make sure we’re not training psychos who are all going to snap one day."

"Just covering his bases for the calls he's going to get from the worried alphas when this news gets out." Grayson's annoyance was obvious in his voice. We were raised with the idea that alphas weren't supposed to show fear. If they showed fear, they showed weakness. If they showed weakness, they were unfit to lead.

"Great." I muttered as I sat on one of the leather chairs.

"You seem to be taking a liking to Lexi."

I shrugged, "It's nothing special."

"Mhmm." He took a deep breath. "Her scent's all over you."

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't hook up with her. I let her borrow my shirt."

"And that had nothing to do with the fact that she was walking around shirtless where the eyes of all those guys could see her." I knew my brother was trying to rile me up by that too happy smile on his face.

"She attracted the attention of the old man." The old man was the nickname of the retiree living in solitude on the border of our land. He has a shot gun I have always been on the lookout for when on runs with the recruits.

"And what?" Grayson asked amused. "You think she's got a thing for older men?"

"No." I muttered. "I didn't want anyone else to stop us. She could've attacked the old man. Her wolf was still ascended."

Grayson shook his head with that stupid smile. "I bet."

I shifted uncomfortably. I didn't want to talk about Lexi. Grayson would twist everything and make it seem like I had feelings for her--the recruit.

"So what do we do with Millender when we find him?" I asked. I needed to get this conversation back on track.

"Lock him up until we can kill him."

I shook my head unhappily. "It should be kill-on-sight. The warning to stay away was enough, now he's back and killing off the recruits." I knew my brother wanted Millender dead when we caught him talking to Willow. "What if he's trying to get at her again?"

My brother's eyes lightened. "He'll be dead before he gets close enough."

"He's already on the pack lands!" My anger was getting the best of me. I ran my hands over my face. "Let me track him. If he doesn't resist me, I won't kill him."

Grayson shook his head and looked me right in the eyes. "You'll wait for Mikko. Then you'll hunt Millender down and we'll take care of him."

The bastard gave me an order. A real order; I wouldn't be able to wiggle out of or find a way around it. "Fine. I'll wait for Mikko." I didn't have much of a choice. I had to listen to my brother, whether I liked it or not.

Lexi POV

Pain exploded in my back when I was slammed to the ground.

"Do you have to be so rough?" I hissed.

Robbie smirked. "If this was for real, you'd be dead because you're complaining too much."

"Well it's not real." I whined as I sat up.

“You know James?” I overheard Frankie ask Tommy during their water break.

“The one that’s not going to make it?” Tommy asked as he rubbed a towel over his face.

Frankie huffed. “That’s not exactly how you should remember him.”

“What are you two gossiping about?” Robbie started walking towards them. Obviously we were going to take our water break now too.

“James says that the body we found wasn’t the first one.”

That peaked my attention. “How many have there been?” I got to my feet and made my way to them.

“He said that the body you found was the fifth.” Frankie said as he looked at me.

“The fifth? And you all haven’t noticed anyone going missing?” How can five people get murdered and no one noticed it?

They all shook their heads as an answer to my question.

“People come and go all the time.” Robbie shrugged, “If we tried to keep track of everyone coming in and out of here, that’s all we’d have time for.”

“How does James know there have been five murders?” I barely caught the towel before it hit me in the face. Frankie obviously thought it would be funny to catch me off guard. I shot him a dirty look.

“He files for the alpha sometimes.” Frankie said with a shrug.

 “And he came across the files from the cops?”

Robbie shook his head with a smile. “If there were five bodies on pack property, the cops would have no idea about it. The alpha couldn’t risk exposure by having a full blown investigation on pack lands.”

“Then where’d they get the files?”

“You sure have a lot of questions.” Tommy muttered.

“I’m very curious.” I turned my attention back to Frankie.

“They have to keep a file of everybody they train, just in case one of us goes crazy and attacks the pack we’re supposed to be protecting.” Frankie handed me a water bottle. “You should drink that.”

“Then how did he figure out there have been five murders?” If they kept a file on everyone there’s no way that James would be able to find out these murders actually took place.

Frankie chuckled, “He said he overheard them talking about it.”

Tommy smiled. “He was probably hiding around the corner, eavesdropping.”

“You all sure gossip like high school girls.” We all jumped at the sound of Chris’ voice. “You should get back to training.”

We all nodded and started walking back.

“So is there any truth to the rumors James is spreading? Have there really been five recruits murdered?” Of course it’d be Tommy. I thought with an internal sigh. That mouth of his was going to get him in trouble someday.

Chris shook his head. “That’s not something I’m going to entertain. It’s none of your business. When Grayson finds out James is spreading rumors, James is going to be in trouble.”

Unlike Tommy, I knew when I was supposed to shut up and get back to what I had been doing.

As soon as we got back to our spot, Robbie charged.

Before I knew what was going on, I was on the ground…yet again.

“Not fair.” I muttered.

He shrugged, “You should always be ready for an attack.”

“My only training in life came with a gun.”

He smirked, “Well I’m not giving you one of those, so you’re just going to have to learn.”

I didn’t pause when I stood up. I knew that I had to catch Robbie off guard if I ever hoped of gaining the advantage over him. 

I went for Robbie’s legs.

He hadn’t been expecting it, so he wasn’t even looking at me. He was looking over the other recruits, probably wanting to go correct their form or something.

He went down with a loud thump and a grunt. I made sure to keep my advantageous position on top of him. His eyes were wide with surprise when he looked up at me.

“Who would’ve thought you’d start fighting dirty.” He chuckled amused.

I couldn’t help but smile.

Then I was lifted off of Robbie like a child and thrown over someone’s shoulder.

“What’s going on here?” I recognized Mason’s grumpy voice immediately. Even if I hadn’t, I would’ve recognized his shirtless backside just as quickly. I flushed just knowing I was coming in contact with his bare skin.

Robbie’s amusement sobered instantly. “Just some sparring.”

“That didn’t look like sparing to me.” Mason grumbled.

I rolled my eyes. “Will you put me down?”

“No.” Mason growled. “Go spar with another recruit.” The order was obvious.

Immediately, Robbie started walking away.

“What was that for? I was winning.” I complained, trying to twist off his shoulder, but he just raised his elbow to keep me in position.

Mason huffed, “That’s just your perspective.”

“Put me down.”

“Promise to be a good girl?” He said with that annoying teasing voice. I hated to admit that I had actually missed him.

I groaned, but I had to do it. “I promise.”

“That was easy.” He muttered as he dropped me to the ground.

I had been dropped enough lately that I didn’t land on my ass. I landed on my hands and feet.

I don’t know what came over me, but I swung my leg around, hooked his legs out from under him.

He landed with a gasp. To say I was surprised was an understatement. I stayed frozen on the floor beside Mason. I couldn’t hear the rest of the group sparing anymore, they were all as stunned as I was.

My gut told me that I needed to run as fast as I could before he could recover. Maybe I could barricade myself in my room so he couldn’t get to me.

Mason’s head slowly rotated to look at me.

I offered a nervous smile, “Sorry?”

Mason’s muscled flexed as he sat up. I quickly exchanged glances with Robbie before turning my attention back to Mason. Maybe he’d help me if Mason decided to whip my ass.

“You’ve gotten braver.” Mason grumbled. “Had I known you wanted to spar with me, I would’ve joined you sooner.” I knew that tone.

“I—" I shook my head, trying to get rid of some of that shock that still hung around. “I’m good with the partner I have.”

“Nonsense.” He popped up to his feet.

Dread washed over me. “I don’t wanna.”

Mason offered me his hand. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

“For you.”

He smiled. That disappeared before he turned around to look at the group, staring at us. “Aren't you all supposed to be doing something?” Mason used his big, harsh, intimidating voice.

Some of the group flinched, the rest slowly got back to what they had been doing.

His face was angry when he looked back at me. He offered his hand again, with a smile. He had been putting on a show for the guys in the group. He wasn’t really mad, but the rest of them didn’t need to know that.

Chris walked up as Mason pulled me off the ground. “Are you really going to stay with her?”

Mason nodded, “She started it.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

Mason rolled his eyes. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” He imitated.

Annoyance flashed across Chris’ face before he turned and left.

“What are you? 6?” I muttered.

Mason rolled his eyes, “You shouldn’t give me any more reason to embarrass you in front of your little group.”

“Why are you even here?” I shot back irritated now. Why did he have to be such a jerk all the time?

“The point of this group isn’t to climb on top of a bunch of guys.”

“Are you crazy?” I raised my voice.

“You need to check yourself.” He wasn’t joking or teasing anymore. “You forget who I am?”

I didn’t give it a second’s thought before I opened my mouth. Rage and irritation made me want to give him a reality check. He wasn’t as amazing as he obviously thought he was.

Before I could say anything, his hand was over my mouth. As I looked into his pretty green eyes and having his body pressed against mine made my brain turn into jelly. I couldn’t think anymore.

“Don’t make me do something I’ll regret.” His warning was low enough that I could barely hear him, but I knew I had to listen to it.

I pried his hand from my mouth and took in a deep, calming breath. There was something about Mason that brought out the worst in me.

“Let’s get this over with.” I took two huge steps away from him. It felt good to have space between us. I could think then.

“You ready for me?” He teased with a big smile.

“I really think you’re bipolar.”

He took a defensive position. “Give me your best shot.”

I brought my hands up.

“You’re a boxer, huh?” He teased.

“You’re not even taking this seriously.” I complained and put my hands on my hips. “If you’re not going to take it seriously, you should just leave.”

He nodded and made his smile go away. “Alright. I won’t make fun of you.”

I narrowed my eyes on him, “I don’t believe you.”

His smile crept back. “Good choice.”

I barely had time to react when his foot shot towards my thigh. I barely had time to check the kick before it landed.

Pain exploded in my shin.

“Geez. What are you made of? Granite?” I brought my leg up and rubbed it.

He smirked evilly.

Great. I set myself up. I had no choice but to hear the innuendo that he had at the tip of his tongue.

“You’re lucky you’re in this gym full of guys.”

“Why’s that?”

“I can’t mock everything you say wrong.” He was chuckling.

I tried to punch him, but even when he was laughing at me, his guard wasn’t down. He swatted away my arm like a fly.

“You need to put more force behind it. You punch like a human.”

“Well I was human.”

“But you’re not anymore. You’re just not trying hard enough. You’ll always be weak unless you put the effort into getting better.”

“I am getting better.” I said defensively.

“Not by much.”

In anger, I aimed a kick right at his groin.

“Whoa.” He shrieked in surprise. “No low blows.” He held my ankle. “That was faster.” I tried to pull back, but he wouldn’t let me have my ankle back. “You always seem to do better when I piss you off.”

“You don’t piss me off.” I tried to say it calmly. I didn’t want him to know he pissed me off.

“I don’t huh?”

Oh no. Was all I could think. I knew he was going to do something.

He pushed me back and I landed right on my ass. When I tried to stand, he pushed me back down. That happened two more times before I crossed my arms over my chest like a three year old and sulked.

“Getting fed up sweet cheeks?”

“Well you’re not letting me up.” I complained. “So I’ll just stay here. And don’t call me sweet cheeks!”

Mason’s lessons always came with bruises. This time was no different.

I didn’t want to defend his actions and say that giving me bruises was an accident, but it wasn’t. I understood that there was a lesson behind them.

Every time I moved and felt the ache from a bruise, I relived the mistake I made so I could learn not to make it again. The worst bruise was on my bad leg, but on the opposite side of the scar. At least he had been cautious about my injury. The bone was closer to the surface of the skin and easier to break than the bone on my other leg.

I knew Mason could’ve really hurt me if he wanted to, but he didn’t. I knew he wasn’t even putting much force behind his attacks. He never got out of breath and wasn’t even starting to sweat by the time we were done.

Before Mason walked in here, I thought I was getting better, but after sparing with him after training for a month made me feel like I had gotten nowhere. It was definitely disheartening. Plus, I could barely walk. Every step I took was just another reminder that I wasn’t ever going to be as great a fighter as Mason. Getting to my room was a torture. I took a nice hot bath before I crashed on my bed and fell asleep immediately. That jerk made my whole body hurt.