to get to spar with me, didn’t you, Firecracker?” Straightening from the ropes, he began an indolent approach.
In turn, I went even more languid, like I couldn’t take my eyes off him. A subtle change in stance and hold from my attacker was all I needed to realise he’d fallen for my ploy. My wolf’s power flooded me, lending me strength. I growled, and despite the ropes being between me and the man at my back, I shifted my weight and drove my elbow into his breast bone. There was a satisfying crack and a muffled expletive. The big arm around my neck loosened enough to give me room to maneuver. I ignored the wooden blade and slammed my ridge hand into the man’s groin. Not letting up, and determined not to be bested by anyone, I smashed a backfist into his face, grabbing the arm now loose around my neck. Connor thinks he’s so clever having this guy sneak up on me. Fine, I’ll break the fucker’s arm!
“Ember! Stop…”
I froze. That voice.
“Rawson?” Taking one step out of his embrace, I pivoted on the canvas. Deep brown eyes, familiar, yet wary, looked back at me. “But you were a…” My words dried up. I wasn't sure what he’d been when I’d been abducted by red eyes.
He grimaced. “A Were. I, err, I haven't been entirely myself since we were captured and sent here.”
I stepped closer to the man who’d been my saviour, who’d taken me in and cared for me, aware Connor was watching closely. Why? Did he think I’d hurt Rawson, that I’d blame him for my capture? Or was he worried about Rawson’s behaviour? I didn’t care, not as I looked at Rawson’s beloved face. My heart cracked. His chocolate brown eyes were clouded with suffering. I had no idea what had been done to break him so badly, I’m not sure I wanted to know, but at that moment, more than my own incarceration, more than Blue’s abduction and even losing Connor, I wanted to rip Doherty and this place apart for everything they’d done to him.
Without holding back I launched myself at Rawson, nearly knocking him off the side of the training ring as I flung my arms around him. I didn’t cry often, especially in front of others. It was a sign of weakness I wouldn’t show, but right now I couldn’t help but choke out a sob into Rawson’s chest. I barely remembered my birth parents, but I could recall everything Rawson and Lyss had done for me. I sniffled, and held him tighter.
His arms came around me, not as big and heavily muscled as they had been, but it was so nice to feel the warmth and safety of his hug. I relaxed into his embrace, the weight of our circumstance lifting from me. Tears burned my eyes, and this time I let them fall.
He patted my back. “It’s good to see you, too,” he said thickly. “Even though I think you cracked my breastbone.”
I squeezed him even harder, unwilling to stop as a whole four years of emotions got tangled up in my chest. I needed a minute, or several, before I could face everyone else in the hall. My emotions were so raw I couldn’t form words.
He released a shuddering breath. “I missed you, too. Connor and me...we saw your wolf’s head. Gods, Ember, it looked and smelt like her, we truly believed you were dead.”
I just shook my head. “I’m so sorry. I can explain…”
“Ember, we can talk about that later,” Connor’s voice was firm and had an undertone of warning.
Rawson dipped his head, and his shoulders curled forward. “Yes, you can tell Connor what happened—” He paused and sighed. “It’s probably best you don’t tell me.” He breathed into my hair. “I don’t know what happened, but that clearly wasn’t you. That’s enough for me.”
I shook my head again, my face still buried in his broad chest. I sniffed and hugged him even tighter, unwilling to let him go. I could find out what Connor’s warning was for later.
“Hey, loosen up a bit, I can’t breathe.” A chuckle rippled through him.
“Sorry.” But my emotions still tumbled like a storm inside me.
“Hey.” The weight of Connor’s hand rested on my shoulder, squeezing gently and reassuringly. “You can let him go, Em, he’s not going anywhere.”
I still couldn't bring myself to release him. If I did he might disappear; he’d leave again…
“Em?” Connor leaned down and peered into my eyes where