until I deem it’s safe for you to leave.”
I snorted, shaking my head slightly. “I understand your concern. Really I do, but keeping me a prisoner isn’t going to solve this, and I honestly don’t think Avery is going to return for me. He’s delivered his message, I’ve served my purpose. He’ll be waiting for your response now. Let me help.” I reached out to touch him, my hand resting gently on his arm. “I’m safe. We didn’t know what we were facing and now we do. It’ll be okay.”
He shook his head. “I thought you were safe before, Darcy. Here in our home and on pack land. No one should’ve been able to get to you, but he did. I know you don’t think so, but I can’t think if I don’t know every precaution has been taken.”
“I agree with being careful. I don’t ever want to be taken from you again, but please don’t turn me into another hostage. If it gives you peace of mind, assign someone to stay with me when you can’t. Just let me move around if I want. Don’t put me in a gilded cage.” I added an extra layer of pleading to my voice. I needed to reach him.
“Fine, just no leaving the property. I don’t mean to be insensitive, I just want you safe. I need to know I can find you whenever I want to be able to touch and see you. Avery may have a death wish coming after me, but he knows enough to recognize you as my Achilles heel. I refuse to lose you.”
He pulled me into another embrace, this one much gentler than the last. I could feel his heartbeat pounding inside his chest, adrenaline causing his body to prepare itself. There would be no relaxing or lazing about together until this was over. I stretched upward to place a kiss on his lips, hoping he’d take the bait and give in to a few moments of savoring each other, but he offered back a perfunctory peck before releasing me.
“Stay in your room until I can find someone. It shouldn’t take long, and then you’re free to roam. I also want you checking in with me every hour on the hour. No texting. I want to hear your voice.”
I tried hard not to roll my eyes at what I saw as overkill, and nodded. He left without touching me, his mind elsewhere, and I let a sigh as I looked around my room. What was I possibly going to do while I waited?
Remembering the romance novel I only read half way through, I flopped myself on my bed and got comfortable. Finding the place my book mark was protecting, I willed myself to focus on the story and the happily ever after the hero and heroine were desperate for.
I just hoped I still had one of my own.
Chapter Seventeen
A sharp knock was all the notice I got before Daniel poked his head though the door, asking if it was safe to enter. Despite my doubts, the hour had flown by quickly and I was grateful the book had held my attention so completely. Having already called Mason, I was eager to get out of the room so I quickly placed the book mark and returned the novel to my bedside table.
“Of course, it’s safe to enter. What were you expecting? World War Three or something?” I laughed at the look of surprise on his face as he glanced around my room.
“I was at least expecting a few broken things. You know, from throwing them at that stubborn alpha of ours after he laid down the law.” Obviously not finding what he was hoping, he looked back at me, shaking his head. “Now, now Darcy, where is your female indignation from being ordered about? Tell me there were at least tears? Threats? Pouting?”
“You’re a dork!” I laughed, punching him in the arm. He flinched, rubbing the spot, acting as though I’d given him a mortal wound. “Oh come on, that couldn’t have hurt. You’re such a ham, Daniel.”
Laying off the theatrics, he stopped and suddenly looked serious. “Of course not. I was merely trying to make you feel better.” A slow smile curled his lips and he leaned in for effect. “Besides, has anyone ever told you, you punch like a girl?” He took a large step backwards, avoiding the second swing of my arm by a mile. “See what I mean?”
“How else am I supposed to hit, Daniel? Hello… I am a girl!” I used my hands to show my body. “Is this why you don’t have a girlfriend? Are you confused about what we look like?” I squealed out loud as he reached out to swat me, and I tried my best to block him. My arm went wide, resulting in the painful sting of his hand connecting with my side.
“Crap, Darcy. Do you not know how to defend yourself?” His cheeky grin now turned incredulous.
“I’m a werewolf. I always assumed I had the natural ability to take care of myself. I didn’t think it was it was that important,” I paused.
“Until now.” All joking was gone as Daniel finished my sentence.
“Yeah. I didn’t like how it felt being so defenseless. Avery cut me off from my wolf completely. I was helpless against his compulsion.” I looked up to find eyes filled with compassion. “I don’t want to feel like that again.”
“Then that’s what we’ll work on.” He offered no more explanation as he took hold of my hand, leading me from my room and out of the house. He kept a brisk, steady pace as we made our way to the back of the property, to the space where Mason had a gym installed.
Throwing the doors wide open, Daniel made quick work of turning on the lights, revealing a place filled with every kind of fitness equipment you could imagine. I glanced over at the treadmill. That was by far my favorite because I was able to read while I walked and avoid just staring off into nothing. I moved to go climb on it, but I was directed elsewhere.
“Welcome to your first ever lesson in self-defense… Daniel style.”
I raised my eyebrows at the last part of his comment because I had no idea what he meant by it. Judging from the cocky way he stood, I’d say I was in for an education of sorts.
“Ready? Assume the position.”
I burst out laughing, my hands covering my mouth. “What position?” I struck a pose and watched his eyes almost pop out of his head.
“Oh, no you don’t, I’m being serious. I know I don’t have much to work with.” He smiled as he walked a slow circle around me, flicking his hand at my ponytail. “But I need to at least show you some basics. This is the position I want you in.” He stood in a fighting stance, and I rolled my eyes.
“Why didn’t you just tell me to get into a fighting stance? Even I know what it’s called.” I blew a puff of air upward, moving a stray lock of hair out of my eyes.
I shifted my body until I was standing to the side with my right foot in front. I readjusted my legs, making sure they were a shoulder width apart and I raised both my hands up, curling them into fists. I leaned my weight onto my back leg and was instantly chastised.
“No! Never put all you weight on one leg. Distribute it down in the middle.” He moved forward, pushing down on my shoulders, causing me to bend them both. I felt my muscles begin to burn from the sudden tension.
“Why does it matter?” I asked, not sure why I even had to stand this way.
“Straighten your legs again… like you just had it.” I didn’t have time to respond before he shoved hard at my chest, sending me flying. Walking over to where I painfully landed, he pulled me up onto my feet. “That’s why it’s important. By keeping your weight equal, you can maintain balance. How effective will you be at defending yourself if you’re sprawled on the floor? The key is to stay upright. Try again.”
Dusting myself off, I got back into the stance, this time mindful of my body. I watched him strike out again, and even though he moved me backward, I was able to regain my stability and footing quickly.
“You learn fast, young grasshopper.” He smirked before returning to teacher mode. “Now, can you guess why it might be helpful to stand like this?” He moved his body to match mine, legs firmly apart. I studied him for a moment before shaking my head. A few answers filtered through my mind, but I didn’t know if I was right.
“What does this tell your opponent?” He raised both his fists, an expression of concentrated focus on his face. He appeared every bit the warrior, and I was glad for his help. Looking him over, I suddenly realized the point.
“It tells them you’re ready to defend yourself,” I replied as it suddenly seemed obvious to me as he stood there. “You can see every move they’ll make and be prepared.” His wide grin told me I was right.
“Exactly. Come stand in front of me-right there.” He gestured to the open space before him. “Now go slowly, and watch how I move. Throw a punch.”
Without hesitation, I let my hand fly and he deflected it away with a frontward block of his wrist. It seemed effortless and as he stepped in close, I noticed I was now free to be attacked. A slight jab to my ribs illustrated that fact.
