Chapter Thirty-Two

**Myra**

*Packhouse gym, five in the morning.*

Myra yawned as they walked down to the gym. It was another late night for her, but not a fun one. She tried getting Sloan to come to bed with her, but he refused to take her while still fuming over the day’s events. Though they had a moment after she pointed out the image on the map, Sloan had locked himself away in his Den for most of evening and night. When he finally joined her in the guest room they had allocated for themselves that night, Sloan took up to sleeping on the couch.

Myra tossed and turned in a fit of restlessness most of the night. She missed her cuddly Wolfie, but she sensed his night was just as bad, hearing the couch strings squeak and groaned each time he moved, which was very often. When the alarm rang at 4:30 am, Myra heavily sighed, knowing that her day will be just as crappy as her night. Myra waited for Sloan to use the washroom and change before she got up. She dressed quickly in a matching dark grey three-quarter leggings and sports bra, then threw on a black hoodie and joined Sloan. He glanced at her, and she noticed his eyes were still black, and his anger hadn’t dispersed.

“Okay, Mr Grumpy pants… last night never happens again,” Myra said, poking a finger in his chest while staring up at him. His lips twitched as he grabbed her fingers, kissing the inside of her wrist. This move sent shivers up and down her spine.

“Yes, my Angel… but I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I hurt you, either of you,” Sloan whispered, pulling her into his arms, and he kissed her deeply. Myra immediately opened her mouth, and his tongue slid inside, tangling with hers, making her knees weak. “Let’s get out of this room before we break another bed.”

He pulled away and linked their fingers together, and they left the room. His anger, however, didn’t subside with their brief intimate moment. On days like today, Myra was glad Leanne was her trainer and not Sloan. When they entered the gym, ranked members snapped to attention while Leanne jogged over to them, devilishly smiling at her.

“I don’t like that smile.”

“You shouldn’t… you missed Friday morning, so we’re starting with a 15k run,” Leanne said, throwing her arms around Myra’s neck, pulling her over to the treadmills.

“But… But…” Myra stuttered as Sloan released their joint fingers.

“Don’t break her, Leanne.” Sloan warned, “Let’s get started, Declan!”

Once at the treadmills, Leanne tapped on the touch screen, selecting different settings. She then entered Myra’s weight, age and duration. She moved over to another treadmill and did the same with her own age and weight. They both started, first, a two-minute warm-up, then they ran.

While running on the treadmill, she watched as Declan tortured the others. He did drills after drills, causing them to groan in pain. The group was already dripping in sweat as they did a warm-up circuit that looked painful – four-minute planks, burpees, mountain climbers, Russian twists and squats.

“Do you miss training with them?”

“Fuck no… Demon Declan is the worse trainer in the whole pack!” Leanne laughed breathlessly.

“Hey Leanne?” Declan called over, and they looked up. “Training review this afternoon.” Leanne’s face dropped, and she missed a step on the moving treadmill.

“He’s going to kill me.” She muttered, finding her running rhythm again. Thirty minutes later, they had finished their 15k run and ventured over to the boxing ring.

“Today’s the day… I’m going to kick your ass.” Myra smack-talked, stretching her arms above her head and bounced on her toes. After stretching her muscles, Myra unzipped her hoodie and tossed it aside. A low growl echoed through the room, and something slammed into the wall. Myra looked over at Sloan, who glared at her, and some members were picking up a detached and damaged punching bag that left a hole in the drywall.

He crossed his arms across his chest, causing all his sweaty muscles to ripple; she licked her lips and looked up at his face. He arched a knowing eyebrow in a silent *What the hell.*

“Not going to happen… I’m hot and about to go hand-to-hand with Leanne, so keep training with Declan. Tristan, we need you to referee because I’m about to kick Leanne’s ass.” She told him, turning her back to him. She heard another growl from Sloan, then his voice echoing in her head.

“*Bloody minx.*”

She smiled, knowingly playing with fire. She turned around, jiggling her butt at him.

“All talk… you seriously think you got it in you to finally take me down?” Leanne teased from the other end of the rind, stretching her arms behind her back and cracked her neck.

“I almost got you the last time.” Myra stuck her tongue out at her. For the past month, training with Leanne was like a love-hate relationship. Leanne would win their sparring sessions, or they may equal the odds and call it a draw. Today, Myra was determined to win.

Tristan joined them in the ring to play referee. “Alright, ladies… I want a nice, clean sparring match. Whoever gets the best two out of three rounds wins. So, no hair pulling, no biting and no cheap tricks. Now, shake on it.” Myra reached over and shook hands with her, then they separated and took up their fighting stance. “1… 2… fight!”

They circled each other, both not willing to throw the first punch. Myra assessed Leanne as they smirked at each other. She had learnt to read Leanne’s fighting cues, and they always start the same. Right on time, Leanne threw a left hook, and Myra successful blocked it. Leanne’s eyes shifted to something behind her and then snapped back to Myra and dropped to her stomach.

“*Shit!*” Myra thought, and she turned around to glare at him. “*Sloan, it’s not confirmed.*”

“*She was distracted, and that was a nice opening for you… now you’re the distracted one.*” He scolded, and Leanne grabbed one of her hands and pulled it up behind her back while her other arm locked around Myra’s throat.

“*Damnit, Sloan.*”

“The first rule is, never turn your back on your opponent,” Leanne said into Myra’s ear, already claiming victory as Myra struggled to get free.

“*Clear your mind and concentrate.*” Sloan voiced.

“*I can’t lose.*” Myra thought, and she stomped down hard on Leanne’s foot with her heel, causing her to yelp. Her hold on Myra loosened, so Myra grabbed the arm around her neck and bent forward, flipping a surprised Leanne over her shoulder and onto the ground. The sound of her body slamming onto the mat echoed through the room. Myra backed away, shaking her hand to circulate the blood in her arms while bouncing on her toes in glee.

She gave Leanne some breathing space as she groaned in pain and coughed, having the wind knocked out of her, “Good… very good.”

“Damn, sis… that was impressive… point to Myra.” Tristan held up his hand to signal that the first round was over. Others in the room were now invested in their session and abandoned their training to spectate.

Leanne jumped to her feet, and they shook hands again to start round two. Like before, they circled each other, neither willing to throw the first punch. Myra noticed Leanne’s eyes were glowing green while she smiled wickedly at her.

“*Her animal wants to play.*” Myra giggled, shaking her hand to clear it of any distractions.

“*Go first,*” Sloan advised, and she nodded.

She inched towards Leanne, who then lunged at her. Myra sidestepped, avoiding the impact and slammed her palm into Leanne’s back, pushing her towards the side of the ring. Leanne bounced off the ring, then what happened next occurred so quickly Myra didn’t see it coming. One minute she was on guard watching Leanne backflip towards her, and the next, they were both on the ground. Leanne’s thighs locked around Myra’s chest, and her arm being twisted and pulled.

“Okay, break it up… second round goes to Leanne,” Tristan said, patting Leanne on the head, and she released Myra’s hand.

“Go first, he says…” Myra grumbled, throwing daggers at Sloan, who deeply analysed their movement.

“Trust your animal spirit,” Leanne encouraged, untangling their bodies, and she helped Myra to stand. “And ignore other voices that may be interfering.” She finished, glancing over at Sloan in a warning.

“Final round,” Tristan announced. They both got some water before returning to the center of the ring. They shook hands and took up their fighting stance.

“*Trust my vixen… trust my vixen.*” Myra chanted in her head. She closed her eyes for a brief moment to steady her breathing. When she opened her eyes, Tristan signalled the start of the last round.

“Well, hello little foxy,” Leanne teased, “Let’s play.”

Leanne attacked first, striking at Myra, but Myra grabbed her hand, twirled her around while wrapping her legs around Leanne’s waist, perched on her back. With her other hand, she roughly pulled Leanne’s head to the side, exposing her neck. Leanne immediately held up her hand in surrender. “Damn foxy, you stayed true to your word. Celebrations.”

“Everyone out!” Sloan growled, and they both looked at him. His eyes were no longer black but white with arousal. Myra smirked and dismounted Leanne as ranked members quickly exited the gym.

“Haven’t you had enough of the poor girl?? She’s going to be bow-legged next time we see her.” Tristan jested. Myra giggled when Sloan placed his hand in Tristan’s face, shoving him towards the exit with the others. Before Tristan could say some more, Declan pulled him by the collar, closing the door shut behind them.

“I have to get ready for work in an hour.” Myra tried to dissuade him, but he deeply inhaled as he strolled towards her.

“An hour is all I need.” He pounced on her, causing Myra to giggle while he tore at their clothes. Soon her giggles turned to moans, then screams of pleasure as Sloan plunged into her weeping core.

* * *

Late afternoon, Myra was enjoying her French Vanilla coffee as well as her morning highs. One from winning against Leanne for the first time, then her sex-capades with Sloan on the mat of the boxing ring then, some oral attention in the shower. “*Serves him right for denying both of us last night.*” She cracked her neck and unconsciously cradled her flat stomach. “*In a couple of days, we will know.*”

The sounds of her students laughing brought Myra back to reality. The class was separated into three groups, and they were working on a Christmas card art project. She looked over at Leanne, who sat in the back row, helping a group. Her class and Teaching Assistant – Nina – took to Leanne’s presence surprisingly well. In her students’ eyes, she was a new play friend. Little Emmett, one of her young shifters, developed an immediate attachment to Leanne and was sitting in her lap, laying claim to her.

“*You should switch professions… you’re very good with them.*” Myra teased, and Leanne’s eyes snapped over the curly boy’s head and landed on Myra’s eyes.

“*I’m faking it till I make it.*” Her laughter responded in Myra’s head. “*And wipe that stupid smile off your face.*”

“*Why?? I’ve finally kicked your ass… I’m allowed to gloat.*”

“*Enjoy the win… because your as is mine tomorrow.*” Leanne threatened.

“*I’m taking this time to... officially retire. You know to quit while on top.*” Myra rolled her eyes and focused on her group, clearly and snugly ignoring Leanne.

Once the cards were completed, and the students cleaned up their spots. She checked the temperature and announced that they would be going outside for the rest of the evening. While her students got dressed in their winter coats and boots, Leanne excused herself to make a call out in the hallway. She joined the class as they were walking out to the backyard playground.

“*My brother’s flight lands about 5 pm… are you okay going with me for the drive?*” Leanne asked.

“*To meet your mysterious kid brother?? I will be honoured.*” Myra smiled.

“*We will need to leave as soon as school is over.*” Myra could see Leanne calculating the time to get to the airport and possible routes to and from the airport.

Myra nodded, “Nina, are you okay doing pick-up supervision? I’ll ask a Sub to help you out.” The girl smiled brightly.

Myra knew that the girl was enjoying the additional responsibilities she was receiving lately; it helped with her professional development. But Myra knew if she was indeed pregnant, she will eventually have to give up her daytime job. Shifters’ pregnancies greatly differ from humans; to avoid unnecessary questions and suspicions, female Shifters tend to shy away from the human community by their third month of pregnancy.

“*Maybe I could talk to Sloan about it… find a creature-established school where I could work or create one if one doesn’t exist.*” She smiled, rubbing her tummy.

Their future was looking bright.