44

44

(Tyler’s POV)

For two hours we exercised. Kicking, punching, lifting weights, I didn’t think I was going to survive the pace she set. Kate was in her element and she was loving it. She was a martial arts expert who showed me many forms that I could learn to improve my hand to hand fighting skills. I have yet to fight her during the pack training, but I was starting to wonder if she could actually beat me.

She threw her last punch, I could swear the bag she hit screamed in pain. She smiled at me as she wiped the sweat from her brow with a towel. She tossed a towel to me so I could do the same. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her lips.

“Have you ever thought of teaching the skills you have?” I asked her.

“Who would I teach? You?” she asked with a smile.

“There are over 3000 people in the pack. Many of them are warriors. The young ones train in their schools to prepare for the day their wolf wakes up. And yes, I could use the benefits of your knowledge and skill.” I tried to convince her to at least think about it.

Before she could say another word, the alarm went off on her phone. “Oh no!” She took off running toward the house.

“What’s wrong?” I questioned as I followed her.

“I almost forgot, Scott is going to be here in an hour!” she exclaimed as she started upstairs. “I have to get cleaned up.”

“If we only have an hour, I better join you in the shower,” I suggested. She giggled and walked into the bathroom. I took her laughter for a yes and followed her in.

The hour went by quickly. We just barely had time to get ready when we heard the horn from a semi truck blaring in the distance. Kate got the biggest smile on her face. I could tell she still loved him. I hope she will someday have the same feeling for me when she sees me. I know she cares for me, but the feelings are not as deep as they are for this man from her past. A smirk crossed my lips, I know I am going to growl at him when I see him.

Kate ran outside as the truck pulled into the driveway. She could barely stand still as she waited for him to get out of the truck. I placed my hand on her back to remind her that I was still here. She just turned to me and smiled. I gave her a smile back but it was not a genuine one, I am glad she didn’t notice that fact.

“Hi sunshine!” the man said as he jumped out of the truck. He glided over to Kate and wrapped his arms around her and gave her a big bear hug. But I noticed he did everything he could not to touch any part of her skin, including kissing the top of her head. That kiss drew a growl from me.

Kate glanced at me as she heard the sound. I just cleared my throat as if I had something stuck in it, like the thought of my mate in the arms of another man. I think she could tell the hug bothered me, but her smile at me let me know that it was only a hug, nothing more.

“Scott, I am so happy to see you,” she said as she let go of him. She turned to me for introductions. “Scott, I would like to introduce you to Tyler my…” she hesitated as if she didn’t know what I was to her.

“Her neighbor,” I spoke up. Then added, “and boyfriend.” I held out my hand to shake his.

Scott slowly shook my hand with a surprising look on his face. Then he said with a half smile, “It’s about time you found someone, Kat.”

Kate glanced at the truck and asked, “You brought the semi instead of your pick up, how long are you going to be staying?”

He hesitated for a moment, “I was going to stay a couple of days, but I got a new contract yesterday, so I can only stay for a couple of hours.”

Kate pouted a little then said, “Then you are going to have to tell me everything that you have been doing on your travels.”

Scott chuckled, “I will tell you everything. Hey, maybe you can show me that lake of yours this time.”

Kate shifted her eyes toward me to see if it would be safe for them to go. I commented, “I think that would be a great idea. It’s a nice day, that would give the two of you a chance to catch up.”

“You are not going to come with us?” Kate showed her nervousness.

“I need to head back home to get ready for tonight’s festivities. I am sure you are going to be safe in the woods, the deer are more scared of you than you are of them,” I joked. I hoped she realized that I was saying she would be watched over while she was in the forest.

She winked and smiled, “One deer made me jump, now I am marked as a frightened little child.”

“HA! Nothing scares my Sunshine,” laughed Scott.

I moved next to Kate and wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head. I thought it would be wise not to show him that I could touch her skin without a vision. “I need to go, but I will come back around 6:00 pm to pick you up.”

“See you then,” she replied as she hugged me.

I shook hands with Scott again and walked toward the truck. Goliath was jumping around, he didn’t want to leave our mate alone with the human male. It was harder than I expected too. I climbed in the truck and mind-link the patrols that Kate and another human were going to be in the woods by the lake. They were to be protected at all costs. I then added, the patrols were to stay out of their sight. Leave them alone unless they are in danger. I wanted to go back to her, it took all my strength to drive away.