Chapter Eight

The following morning, I got dressed in a set of comfortable clothes. I pulled my long blonde hair into a messy bun and threw on a black tank top and a pair of matching dark cargo pants. I was in the middle of lacing up my sneakers when Kaine made his way in the room and pulled me into a deep kiss. By the time he pulled back I was nearly breathless. "I have some stuff to do with my old man today. If you run into trouble, don't hesitate to tell me. Seraphine is waiting for you in the training arena. The men's traning regiments have been adjusted for your sessions. Early mornings are yours and then you'll come in for lunch. You'll have to start preparing for your Ascension so, I have tasked Reya with this. She'll meet up with you after lunch. Is that alright?" Kaine asked. I nodded my head slowly. "That's fine." I said and stood up to my feet. I leaned up on the tips of my toes and planted a kiss on his cheek as I headed out. 

I was almost to the exit to the packhouse when I found myself yanked backwards by something. When I spun around, I came face to face with Abel. His eyes loomed over my face with an angry yet hungry expression. "My brother kicked the shit out of me, and stole my alpha position because of you, you know. I don't understand what he sees, but I think I'm getting it now. You look like a pretty little cocksleeve. Tell you what, I'll let it all go, if you get down on your knees right now and beg for my forgiveness and my dick." That sinister and icy tone of his just reminded me of the night he rejected me. I clenched my teeth and ripped my arm from his grasp. "Don't fucking touch me." I hissed and shoved my way through the space he left and headed outside. I could hear him laughing hysterically behind me. I don't know what Abel's game is, but he's clearly touched in the head. He has to be half mad if he actually thinks that I'll actually let him touch me. 

Seraphine was standing alone outside when I made my way to the traning arena. I hopped over the fence, and she regarded me with a kind smile. "I'm not gonna lie, this is going to make or break you. The good news is, you'll come out of this much stronger than you were before, or not. We'll see." She said cheerfully. I felt ready for this, I was tired of being a weakling, and having to run from my problems. New life, new me. I would face everything head on, and the consequences be damned. 

I met up with Kaine at lunch time. We ate together, but I must have looked like death. I spent the first part of my morning being knocked to the ground repeatedly by Seraphine. I always got back up, she called it moxy, but I wasn't sure. I felt like I was failing miserably, my muscles were sore, and I felt dirty. I wanted to get something to eat and get a shower. "That bad?" Kaine said as I quietly ate my patty melt. I hadn't really said a word over the entire meal. It must have been concerning. "You didn't run into any trouble today, did you?" He asked. This mornings encounter with Abel suddenly popped back up into my head. "Nothing I couldn't handle. Abel tried to say something on my way outside." I said softly, not really looking up. 

It wasn't until Kaine reached across the table and took my face in his hand to force me to look him in the eye. "What did he say? Did something happen? You have to tell me if it did." Kaine demanded. He had a hard look on his face that for sure said he wasn't pleased about the mention of Abel in the slightest. "He blamed me for losing his position as future Alpha, and then insinuated that I should beg his forgiveness on my knees for his... um.. He insinuated that I should beg for him to take me as an act of forgiveness. He was probably trying to get me riled up, but I ignored him and walked straight outside to Seraphine." If looks could kill, Kaine had a murderous look on his face that I didn't like. He slowly released me and sat back, spinning his wheels. He was clearly pissed, it was written all over him. "I'll deal with it." He suddenly said. I shook my head. "Don't. You can't protect me every second of every day. He's just an egotistical jerk, that hasn't learned that women won't automatically swoon when he beccons. I will deal with it in time, don't worry. I am learning to protect myself, you should trust me more." I told him. Kaine seemed to relax a bit, but not by much. 

"Hold on a little longer, when I'm the Alpha, I'll punish him properly. I'll give him the shittiest jobs, jobs that make traditional grunt work look like high end positions." Kaine said with a low growl. I sighed and finished with my food and stood up from the table. "I'm going to go up for a shower and change. I'll be meeting with Remy soon." I said. Kaine nodded his head as I headed up. I stole a final glance at his dark expression as I exited the room. 

I had just finished washing my body off when I heard the shower door slide open. I looked back to see Kaine sliding in behind me. He slid his hand around to rest on the top of my stomach and pulled me back against him. He didn't say anything he just rested his chin ontop of my head and held me there for a few moments. "I'm sorry." He finally whispered in my ear. I sighed and leaned back against him. "I shouldn't have lost my cool like that, just let me hold you like this for a little longer. I love you, my little mate. I don't want anyone to hurt what's mine." Kaine whispered into my ear as he wrapped both arms around me. I sighed enjoying his warmth and feeling secure in his strong arms.