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I'm just saying.

I look at Alpha Rylan for a moment, then stand.

“Come on.”

He frowns. “Where?”

“Follow me. You need to let off some steam.”

His eyebrows rise. “You're still recovering.”

“Then you should have an advantage.”

He looks at me. I look back. A small smile finally touches his mouth. “Fine.”

The training grounds are quieter than usual when we arrive. A few warriors are working nearby, but they give us space. Alpha Rylan looks at my shoulder. “Are you sure about this?”

“Are you going to ask me that every five minutes?”

“Probably.”

“Then let's get started.” He laughs under his breath. We begin slowly. Alpha Rylan throws the first punch, and I block it. I return one of my own. He steps aside, catches my arm, and tries to turn me. I pull free.

“Not bad,” I tell him.

“Not bad?”

“For an Alpha.” He gives me a look. Then he comes at me again. I block, step back, and let him push the pace. My shoulder protests when I raise my arm too quickly, so I adjust. Alpha Rylan notices.

“You're favoring that side.”

“Then stop aiming for it.” He almost smiles. We circle each other. He throws another punch. I catch it.

“Come on, Alpha Rylan.” He pulls free.

“What?”

“You're thinking too much.”

“I'm trying not to put you back in the hospital.”

“Then stop treating me like I'm made of glass.”

His expression changes. I know that look. The same one he had when he kept adding guards around Selena. I lower my hands.

“Alpha Rylan.” He looks at me. “I'm not going to break.”

“Alpha blood remember.” His jaw tightens. Then he comes at me again. This time, he doesn't hesitate. I block the first strike. The second catches my arm. I step back, turn, and catch him before he can follow through. He pulls free. We keep moving.

The sparring becomes faster, though I still have to protect my injured side. Alpha Rylan lands a few clean hits. I return them. He tries to take me down, and I twist away, catching his shoulder. We both stumble. Then he laughs. A real laugh. I haven't heard that from him in days. “Better,” I tell him.

He shakes his head. “You're enjoying this.”

“Maybe.”

We go another round before I finally step back. “Alright.” Alpha Rylan lowers his hands. “Done?”

“For now.” He looks at my shoulder again. I sigh. “It's fine.”