Taze (Rise of the Pride #11) - Theresa Hissong Page 0,55

to say about it.”

“She’s my sister, Taze,” he reminded the fucker.

“She’s my mate,” Taze retorted.

They stood there for the longest time, staring and waiting for one to react. Malaki had come to say what he needed to say, and he knew it was best to back down. Deep down, he knew Taze was good for her, but he was having a hard time dealing with the fact she’d found her mate in the male who’d originally treated her like shit when he’d become a Guardian.

“There are a lot of things you will need to help her work through,” Malaki sighed. “Make sure she’s ready before you touch.”

“Again, I know what I’m doing,” Taze replied. “Do you have anything else you need to say, or are we done here?”

“We’re done,” Malaki said, turning on his heel.

He headed to his cabin and immediately poured himself a drink. He closed his eyes and tried his hardest to keep the visions away. No matter how hard he tried, they were always there, and sleeping didn’t help. The nightmares were worse. In his nightmares, he heard her screams, and just like he was teleported back to those days with the wolves, he was helpless.

“See, I told you it was like riding a bike,” he grunted as he recovered from Calla’s punch to his ribs.

The moment she’d arrived at his house after work, the female had gotten decked out in her workout gear. She even had her old gym bag in her hand. Taze had never been more in shock or excited in his entire life.

He’d given her a scarf to cover her face and a cap to bring down over her ears. She wore one of his old, flannel button downs that’d seen better days. With a few knots here and there, they made it work. She was covered from head to toe; the only part of her skin showing was around her eyes, and he would never in a million years touch her there anyway.

“Are you okay?” she gasped, her eyes wide with fright. “I didn’t mean to punch you that hard.”

“I’m fine…just need another second,” he panted as he got back to his feet, cracking his neck to stretch the muscles there. “Okay, let’s go again.”

“Are you sure?” she hesitated.

“Just fucking punch me, Calla,” he ordered, holding his gloves up to protect his face. He didn’t know why her brother was so worried about the female. She was perfectly capable of handling her life and safety. Okay, Taze was worried about her safety around the rogues, but as far as fighting off a human male, she knew what she was doing.

Damn, she was still great at fighting. It gave him a bit of pride to know she was able to care for herself should an event ever present itself.

Thwack!

“Good,” he huffed as he ducked to miss her next blow.

He was trying his hardest to keep himself focused so he didn’t get punched again. He’d readily admit the last time she got him in the ribs was because he’d been staring at her face as it’d glistened with sweat. Her already pouty lips seemed to double in size as she exerted herself, and that short, blonde hair of hers was mussed all over her head. The freak in him wanted to tangle his fingers in her hair and lick the sweat from her body.

“Oof,” he grunted as she got him in the jaw. This time, he made a swing at her, missing her jaw when she bent her knees to lower herself out of his reach.

She remembered her stances, and she pivoted perfectly when she would bring her right leg up to kick him in the side or thigh. There was no denying how great she’d become before giving it all up to go to law school.

“Ahh!” He swiped her leg so she’d lose balance. He immediately went in for the final blow, which was going to be a fake one because the area around her eyes was exposed. When he dropped to his knees between her legs, raising his gloves in the air, he smelled her mating scent and a smirk played on his lips. “Mating scent or otherwise, I still win.”

He’d celebrated his victory a few seconds too early. Calla twisted to the right, getting both of her covered arms on the outside of his torso and brought them back in a maneuver that sent him to his side and off of the female.

“Sucker,” she teased, laughing hysterically for the first time