Chapter 24- Lilliana Gets Out

The next day we were already to begin the day on the fighting field. We had grabbed a quick breakfast and were out on the field ready. I knew I wanted to spar with Rose again. We had done it through the years, and she was my best opponent. She was strong enough to challenge me and quick enough to keep up with me.

“Are you ready Gracie?” Rose called out from the other side of the field.

“I totally am!” I yelled back, in a moment we were both rushing at one another and came head on blocking and punching in mid field. Where she punched, I ducked, and where I punched she blocked. She went low I jumped high. Now knowing my ability to jump I used it to my advantage. We went on for awhile until finally I had her pinned on the ground.

“Gracie, you did awesome!” Rose said, as I pulled her up by the hand she offered.

“Thanks. You did good too. I had no clue I could jump like that.” I explained to her that there were some abilities I just hadn’t been able to tap into yet.

“Jumping that high certainly gives you an advantage. Your speed is out of this world too. Make sure to use that when you go against the bigger guys. They are slow and use their muscle, but speed will win out in the end.” Her advice was taken as I was about to go against Clay. I knew he used more muscle than he did speed.

“Alright Love, You ready for this?” I nodded my head. He pulled me in on the handshake and kissed me.

“Nope. You guys cant fight one another!” I heard a voice call out. I turned and saw Ian waving his hands in protest and jogging over to us.

“What’s wrong man?” Clay asked, moving his hand to around my waist.

“You are mates. It just wont work. Wolf training is more playful on the fighting ground, but no one will ever win this.”

“What do you mean?” Clay asked. Ian immediately pointed to Clay’s protective stance, his arm around my middle and standing slightly more in front of me.

“A male mate is created as a protector and lover of his other. Fighting one another goes against your very instinct. You all will fight all day because you will be too busy trying not to hurt one another. Even though, as you know, you heal.” Ian shrugged his shoulders. I knew he was not wrong, but I also knew I needed to gain some experience fighting people who were not my size.

“Well, can I fight you then?” As I asked, Clay growled.

“See?” Ian laughed and shrugged once more. “I will fight you.”

“I do not think that is a good idea.” Replied Clay, “I do not like this idea.” Even though I heard Clay’s words I also realized that I needed the challenge, and I was very excited to see what Ian could do.

“Clay, I need to do this. I need the experience of fighting someone bigger than me.” I pleaded with him.

“We should have never left the library.” This was the only reply I received from Clay. I had to laugh because he had hated being in the library all morning the day before.

“Alright Ian! Let’s do this!” I called out to him. We both had gotten into our sides of the field.

I faintly heard Clay call out to go and saw Ian running. I walked. I remembered what Rose had said about men using their muscle to get ahead on the fight. Unlike sparing with Rose, which I had done several times throughout the years, I had never sparred with Ian. I needed to get his rhythm and fight habits down.

I watched as he moved. He favored his right side when he ran which meant he would probably throw a punch on his right side. He was thrown off by me walking to him and he slowed down. It was easy to rush and let the adrenaline in, but I had always learned that being patient and calm was better.

He approached me at a jog where we both started in a boxing bounce. He had read me as well and was trying to figure out what I was planning. He came closer and swung, I ducked. He kicked out his leg to get me, but I jumped over him. He watched me as I jumped and grabbed me by the ankle and pulled me down. My body slammed on the floor. I heard Clay yell out my name, and immediately I was back up again.

This time I was more ready for what Ian was going to throw at me. I instead ducked under his punch and lightly jumped over his kick but grabbed him around his arm as he swung it. He flung it in the air and with my jumping power I was able to land on his back from that position. I let me arms around his neck. He tried to get me off by shaking but it was no use.

I then felt his body as he was about to fall backwards on top of me. As he fell, I climbed up quickly around his shoulders and pushed off. He fell to the ground with a thud that he did not expect and I towered over top of him.

In the next moment, I was met in complete shock as Ian suddenly began to laugh. He laughed so hard he was unable to get back up. I was worried to go closer because I was unsure of why he was laughing so hard. I looked into the faces of those watching us, they all stared in wonder. I had only briefly met Ian, but I had a feeling the guy did not laugh very much.

“Ian? You ok?” I asked. He was trying to gather his breath.

“I… have… not… have… not.. had.. a fight like…. That…. Ever.” He said through heavy breaths. Once he caught his breath he added, “You are good. I don’t say that lightly. You are great! Can I fight your wolf?”

“Sure.” Now it was my turn to laugh. Clay and Rose were now running into the middle of the field to meet us where we sat both laughing.

“What is it?” Clay asked in wonder.

“Your mate is very good. She could learn a few more tactics but she is quite good.” Ian said looking at me like he had discovered a prize. I looked over at Clay and he radiated joy and proudness. Rose looked at me and laughed and rolled her eyes.

“I told you. Muscle heads.” Rose quipped, which only made the laughing in the group come in even louder.

“I think it is time to let your wolf out.” Rose added. I was nervous but I knew Lilliana needed a chance to shine.

“You are right.” Then I added in my head, “You ready Lilliana?”

“For sure! You gonna trust me?” I nodded and we headed over to the shack to change into our wolf forms. When we came back out in wolf form, I found that everyone had also changed into their wolf form.

“Gracie, I have this. Do not doubt me and we will be good!” Lilliana spoke to me letting me know I needed to relax. I walked into the middle of the field. Rose’s wolf was the first one to meet us.

She knelt before us and we copied her, it was as if we were bowing before sparing.

It was interesting watching the fight from this view. It was like I was in a virtual reality game but did not have any of the control. I could see out and see how Rose fought. It was intriguing to think about the fact that Lilliana watched me fight this exact way. Before too long, the wolves were done and I walked over to get a drink. I realized then that Clay was in his human form.

*”Am I not going to spar you today?”* I mind linked Clay.

*”Not today. You impressed Ian, and he is right. I can not spar you. I just want to kiss you.”* He replied to me.

Lilliana and I both swooned at his response.

**“Well Lilliana did you hear that? We are going to spar with Ian.”**

**”I am more than ready for this.** Lilliana had confidence boosting all over her. I now saw her fight Rose and knew now more than ever she would be able to conquer this fight with Ian.

**Clays POV**

I watched as Lilliana went to the field with Felix, Ian’s wolf. It was hard being on the sidelines, but I knew what Ian said was right. I needed to let her do this and it needed to be challenging. The people who wanted to kill her would ot give up or go as easy as I would. They would not stop until they won. Gracie needed the practice.

Lilliana had easily defeated Rose and I was excited to watch her fight, Felix. They each did the little bow and then before I could blink Felix had a grip on Lilliana’s neck. Lilliana had somehow turned out from it and bit Felix on the foot. He howled and began limping. She then bit the other. After watching her in this fight I knew that I had nothing to fear. My mate could fight and fight well.

I watched as the two wolves scrimmaged. It was amazing to watch them so perfectly matched for this occasion. After about an hour of watching I called for time. They both sulked a bit then realized how long they had been sparing for. They wandered over to the stalls and came out in person and dressed.

I approached Gracie. She looked a bit tired and had little marks and bruises over her, but they were all healing quickly, quicker than I thought they would.

“How did I do?” Gracie asked as she hugged me.

“Gracie, you and Lilliana are magnificent. You did a wonderful job letting her have control.” I was still so amazed by my mate and how extraordinary she was.

“She was fascinating to watch. I had no trouble trusting her after I watched her amazing abilities.” Gracie sounded astonished by her ability to let go and by letting her wolf take control. I could see she was really embracing the wolf life and that she enjoyed this new world she had discovered a mere two days ago.