Page 26 of Dark Auctioned Mate

She looked on as the woman said something that made Rael laugh, and the jealousy grew so great that it seemed to be right on the verge of anger.

This was ridiculous. She had no claim on him except the bond, to which she had dedicated the previous week, attempting to persuade herself that it was nothing. She had no right to be envious of some member of the pack who was likely to be simply friendly.

“I’ll be back.”

“Alanis,” Elle began, but Alanis was already heading toward the training circles.

She knew that this was not a good idea. She knew that she was likely to be making the worst decision she could ever make by putting herself in the middle of the training session when she was in heat and jealous. But she was unable to resist. The jealousy was a living, breathing thing within her that required action.

She was near Rael’s training circle when some of the members of the pack looked at her. Rael also looked up at her.

“Alanis? What are you—”

“I would like to join,” she lifted her chin. “If that’s allowed.”

“Join the training?” Javi snorted. “You can’t even shift. Just what do you intend to contribute?”

“I can fight,” Alanis said evenly, turning to look at Javi. “I have been trained. I would like to know how my abilities measure up to yours.”

“It is not amateur boxing. This is black ops training, military-grade combat skills. You are out of your depth.”

“Then I’ll learn. Unless there is a prohibition on the pack members developing their skills?”

“No rule,” Silas spoke as he walked over with August. “But Javi is right. It is tough training, Alanis. Even to shifters. And you’re…” he stopped and hesitated.

“Shiftless,” she completed on his behalf. “I know. But I am not helpless.”

“No one said you were helpless,” Rael countered. “But perhaps it is not the best time just now—”

“Why not?” Alanis looked at the woman standing behind him with a smug look on her face. “Because I am in heat? Because I may not be able to concentrate? Or because you do not think I am able to manage myself?”

“Of course not. I would never think that.”

“Then what are you saying?” Her tone went up a notch higher, and she observed some of the pack members looking at each other. “That I am to sit by and watch? That I cannot learn?”

“I am saying that it is not going to be comfortable for you, and it is going to be distracting for the men here to train while you’re here—in heat.”

Shame and anger flooded her veins. “So, I am supposed to go and conceal myself until the heat goes away? Keep in my room as if I have some contagious disease?”

“See, this is exactly what I was talking about.”

Javi said out loud. “She is unable to even have a simple conversation without losing her emotions. What is she to do in battle training?”

Alanis turned to glare at him. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” Javi folded his arms, and his face was as cold as ice. “You cannot shift or regulate your feelings. You are a liability. Rael may be content to humor you, but the rest of us have business to attend to.”

“Javi,” Rael said in a warning tone. “That’s enough.”

“I don’t think so,” Javi’s eyes narrowed. “She shows up out of nowhere and insists on being included in training, she is obviously not fit for. She lets her emotions get the better of her, which is the main reason people in the field are killed.”

Javi stepped towards her. “You are not a warrior, you are a human who cannot shift, and has no business being here. The only reason people tolerate you is that Rael chose to claim you, and to be honest, I believe that was a bad decision.”

“That’s enough!” Rael yelled. “You’re out of line, Javi.”

“Am I? Or is it that I am only saying what most of us are thinking?” Javi didn’t back down. “She is a liability, Rael. She is unable to contribute to the pack, incapable of defending herself in a proper way, and she is distracting you. How long are you going to accept that?”

“She is my mate,” Rael growled. “That means she is under my protection and whoever mistreats her offends me.”