“See how it opened you up? Try again,” he stated.
I threw another punch, this time coming from a different angle. His block also changed, but the results still the same. I was thrown off balance, exposed enough for him to strike again.
“Now instead of punching, come at me like you are going to grab me.”
I went to move and came in contact with his leg. Whether it was the front or back, foot or knee, I repeatedly tried to seize him as I met with resistance.
“Now I need you to promise me-swear to me-the move I’m about to show you, you will never use on me… no matter how much you might be tempted.” There was a twinkle in his eye which made me curious so I quickly agreed. “Chances are those who’ll try to assault you will be men, and even though they’ll far outweigh you, and perhaps even be stronger, you do hold a few advantages.”
I instantly started grinning because I knew where he was going with this. The way he cupped himself was also an indication he was aware I understood.
“I already know I can knee a guy in the balls, Daniel. Hit them hard enough and it makes them fall to their knees, whimpering like a baby. Want me to show you?” I smiled sweetly.
His face whitened before he shook his finger at me in warning. Making sure he was out of reach, he continued. “Don’t be afraid to use it if you need to. It does require you to get in close, or at least have decent aim, but you need to make sure you hit hard. Put all your weight and force behind the blow. You want to knock them out of commission long enough for you to get away.”
“Okay, full weight… powerful hit.” I started raising my knee, pretending I was facing an attacker and I couldn’t help imagining Avery every time I made a strike. I held the perverse need to show him this exact move up close and personal. “What else you got?” I wiped away the sweat on my forehead with the back of my wrist, ready for more.
“Another thing you can do is this.” Grabbing hold of my hand, he moved it in a forty-five degree angle, palm open and fingers slightly curved. Tapping the meaty heel, Daniel continued. “Use this part here and aim straight for the person’s face.” Demonstrating his own, he showed the motion I would need to follow and what I would need to target. “Hit them in the nose with the intent of breaking it. You’ll cause their eyes to water, blood to flow, as well as a crap load of pain. Everything I’m showing you is designed to give you time to escape. I don’t want you engaging them in combat.”
Moving my hand back and forth, helping me get used to the flow of movement, he released me, and I was able to maintain the motion without fault. If the pain I felt when I accidently bumped my nose was any indication, this would definitely hurt. My confidence increased, and I smiled widely.
“One more thing, and then I’m going to have you work on those girly punches.” Daniel laughed and with lightning fast reflexes he turned me, pulling me hard against his body, and placing his arms around my neck. “Sometimes your attacker won’t give you the courtesy of seeing them coming. Rude, I know, but what can I say? Any person who’ll attack a woman doesn’t exactly have a strong moral compass. Now, try to get out of this.”
He held me in a tight grip and squeezed hard. No matter how much I struggled, all I did was tire myself out, and I became frustrated. I tried bending over to break the hold. I couldn’t reach his private parts, and there was no prying him off. I even started to dig my nails into his flesh, but it only made him tense up.
“Remember, if the person is human, you’re not going to have any of these problems. As a werewolf, you automatically hold advantage because of your strength. It’s if your attacker is supernatural that you’ll need to keep your focus because you’ll both share similar abilities. What you need is the element of surprise.” He paused a moment before chuckling in my ear. “Given up yet?”
I growled, hanging my hands on his arm to try and alleviate the pressure. “Yes. Show me.”
“Okay, there are two things you can do. But first, remember you love me and would hate to hurt me. One, slam your head backward, it’s hard and can do a lot of damage. You want to stun them so they’ll break their hold.”
I repeated his instructions like a mantra. “Head back. Stun. Release. What else was there?”
“Next, lift your leg and smash it down with all you have on their foot.” He released me quickly and bent down before me, lifting mine. “Aim here, where there’s a curve and your foot attaches to your ankle. You can hit lower and break toes, but you want maximum exposure for pain. Strike hard enough so they’ll release you and then run. If you can’t just yet, you can turn around and kick them. They may be bent over, trying to protect their foot. You just step in there and knee them in the face. Down they go.”
It was a lot to remember, but I got the gist of the basics. I hoped I never need to use any of this, but I realized I’d been foolish in not taking this seriously. I knew Daniel was giving me a crash course right now, but it gave me an idea.
“Do you think we can set something up where you teach me more-maybe weekly lessons? I would really like to learn how to defend myself against weapons.” I watched his eyes narrow and him start to shake his head. “Wait, hear me out. I pray I never have to face that kind of situation, but surprise, I did. Gary held me at gunpoint and I can’t stop thinking it might’ve helped if I’d known a few moves. Yes, I could’ve changed, but I know I still bleed as a wolf. She could’ve been hurt too.”
“Let me talk with Mason first, but I don’t see why not. It’s a good idea and it never hurts to be prepared. Maybe we can even ask some of the others if they want to join in.” He looked thoughtful and I took the moment to stretch out my muscles. I was pretty fit, but the last hour had worn me out a little. Swinging my arms in circles, getting them limber, I pointed toward the punching bag. “Shall we?”
I loved watching people swinging at the leather bag, always wondering when it would break loose from its fixture in the ceiling and go flying. No matter how hard I’d seen Mason and the others hit it though, it was still pretty sturdy.
Daniel threw over a roll of tape with the comments to wrap my hands for protection. I watched as he prepared his own, and I soon had a matching set, moving my fingers to get a feel for it.
“Okay, show me your fists, Darcy.” I lifted my hands, curling them inward; making sure my thumb was tucked in properly. He rewarded me with a nod, using his own palm to crunch my fingers in tighter.
“You don’t want this loose and sloppy when you throw it. It lessens the force and hurts you more.” Pointing me in the right direction, he demonstrated a few punches, showing me the correct way to move before indicating it was my turn.
The impact sent a jarring wave straight up my arm into my shoulder, and I released a small oomph. Adjusting my stance and realigning my torso, I threw my fist again, and this time, it moved the equipment slightly. I looked over to Daniel triumphantly, and he rolled his eyes.
“Come on, Tyson, keep going.” He came and stood behind the bag, holding it firmly between his arms, and offered coaching tips. I put everything out of my mind and soon lost myself to the rhythm of each blow-one after the other. I felt myself begin to work up a sweat.
“Change it up a little. See if you can include some jabs.” He instructed me on how to do them, and I tested it out, each strike meeting the target.
I was so focused I almost missed Daniel’s next question.
“You know he didn’t mean to be so gruff, right?”
“I know,” I said, a little short of breath. “That’s why I didn’t argue. If knowing I’m safe helps put his mind at ease so he can concentrate, then I say guard away. I just wish there was more I could do. He’s still grieving, and without even a chance to take a break, he now has to deal with some crazy vampire usurper.” I paused from my activity and looked straight at Daniel. “As the Alpha, a lot of people look up to him, expecting him to be the level head in the storm, but I see more. He’s also a man who is fully aware of the danger we face, and is afraid of not being able to protect those he loves. Two warring parts of him, so even though it stings a little, I understand.” I threw one more punch. “Besides, I can always punish him for it later.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the look of curiosity on Daniel’s face.
“Don’t even ask. A wolf never kisses and tells.” Moving to take off the tape, signaling I was done, I headed over to the bench and took a seat. “I just want to be strong for him. Support him in any way I can.”
I felt the bench shift a little with the weight of his body resting on it. I bumped my shoulder against my pack brother, a gentle thank you for being there, and we eased into comfortable silence. It felt good to relax for a moment.
“I’ve known Mason my entire life. Seen him at his best and his worst, but the look on his face when he realized you were gone, I hope I never see that again. To everyone else, they saw their leader step forward and take
