Tilly

Tilly

I’dundertakentrainingfor the rest of the week with Jackson. And I needed a break from him. Being around him was sapping me of my inner strength. It was the same as the night that Luca dropped me after our date. I needed to masturbate, because a kiss with him had turned me into a desperate, sex crazed wreck.

Being alphas, it was probably what they were trying to do.

Regardless, I decided by Friday I was ready for a boss free weekend, though Jackson tried to get me to self defence training class again on the Sunday. I refused. Not only did I need the space between us, but I didn’t realise how much I would ache in the days after training with him. There was no way I could partake until my muscles calmed. They were too sore from days of working out.

Those were the reasons I refused to train over the weekend. But being in their presence was not helping with me being strong against alphas. Since having dinner with the three of them made me feel things I’d fought for years. My head told me off for including Cruz in that scenario, but I couldn’t help the way my body reacted to him.

Luckily, Jackson had agreed to stop the training for a few days—not that I was going to change my mind if he refused.

But it was Monday again and tonight after work we were supposed to start again. I emailed a message to Jackson the moment I got into the office. Telling him I couldn’t make that evening’s planned self-defence as I was fucked.

I didn’t say that.

Jackson would have thought it was an invitation.

But I felt it.

But when Jackson replied to tell me, this evening’s class would be less strenuous. It was weapons training. I was seriously interested.

I responded in the affirmative.

Jackson: Meet me at the car at five. If you try to leave early, I will know.

Me: Of course you will. I’m sure the other days were luck.

I tried to run out on him three times—unsuccessfully.

Jackson: Or the camera in your office :)

Me: Are you spying on me?

Jackson: Darling, you know me so well.

I grinned and put my head down, not wanting him to see he amused me when really I should feel enraged. But it was hard to be furious with Jackson.

Me: See you at five. Don’t turn your back on me when I have a knife in my hand.

Jackson: I’ll never turn my back on you.

I had to think a lot about that last message.

Five o’clock came around much faster than I expected. I jumped into the lift at one minute to five. My eyes caught Luca. He was already in the lift. Dressed in a dark grey three-piece suit and pale grey shirt. Everyone in the office thought Luca was a babe. I smiled and turned to face the doors—I thought he was too.

The routine was the same as last week, except Luca followed me to the car. My stomach flipped. I could smell his alpha pheromones oozing from him. I did as much as I could to stop myself from bouncing from foot to foot.

“Weapons training today,” he said as we waited for Jackson.

“Apparently,” I said, “I need to protect myself with my hands and weapons, at least according to Jackson.”

His gaze penetrated mine, and I felt my blush rise to my cheeks. He smiled as my hand rubbed over my chest.

“If you give in to whatever internal power struggle you are having, you will have all the protection you need.”

“I’ve taken care of myself this long. I’m sure I’m doing a good job,” I said, “but a little self-defence won’t do me any harm.”

Luca’s chocolate eyes pierced mine. He sighed.

This was hurting Luca, like it did Jackson, to see me not giving into what they wanted me to be. But how could I when I didn’t know who they really were?

“So what happens when you’re trained? Do you come out as an omega and defend yourself against the alphas who will try to claim you or...” Luca asked.

I interrupted, “No, it’s added protection, suppressants and self-defence. It’s the perfect combination. Mum...” I swallowed and blinked back the quick forming tears in my eyes. “I started self-defence when I was younger, but I stupidly gave it up.”

Luca tilted his head to one side, considering me for a moment.

“Ahh, you’re here. I thought I’d be driving to your apartment and dragging you for your training,” Jackson said.

I spun to his voice as he walked into the car park. His long, confident strides showed how muscular his thighs were, his jacket was slung over his shoulder with his tie, and his shirt rolled up to his elbows.

He was all alpha, masculine, bold and not afraid to go for what he wanted—and I had a feeling that was me. Actually, I knew.

“This is a choice, Jackson. It’s not compulsory. I’m going of my own free will and when I choose not to, do not drag me anywhere,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest and pursing my lips at him.

He grinned at my defiance as he opened the doors to his car. “Luca is taking you for your weapon’s training but as I enjoy watching you, I’ll be observing,” he said.

“Creepy,” I said with a smile.