The Gift chronicles novel Chapter 2

Book 2 Chapter 7

"Be gone, Satan! The power of Christ compels you!" I yelled at the Devil, as I held my fingers out in front of me in the shape of a cross as I kept my eyes shut.

"Stop being so dramatic, Onyx" Thane said in his typical dry tone, and I could almost hear his eyes physically rolling. "It's only 7 a.m. Usually people begin training at 6 a.m. at the very latest."

"I don't want to train," I whined as I pried my eyes open to glare at my evil mate.

Thane glared back at me, even though I could see the corners of his mouth fighting a smile. "I don't recall asking if you wanted to or not."

"Stupid Alpha!" I groaned as I threw the covers back over my head. What can I say, I'm not really a morning person.

"Excuse me?" Thane's voice was harsh, and I poked my head out of the covers to see if he was actually mad. Even though his eyes were narrowed, I could see traces of amusement in them. "How about a deal, little one?"

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "What kind of deal?"

His lips turned up in a mischievous grin. "You don't ever have to train... If you can land one punch on me."

"One punch?" I perked up at his offer. "That's all? That's too easy."

Thane chuckled lowly. "Okay, mate, lets see what you've got then."

"What, now?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.

"Yep. Get up, little one. If I pin you without you landing a hit on me, then you have to go to training," His voice was slightly amused, as if he wasn't possibly entertaining the idea that I may be able to get a hit on him.

I shrugged. "Okay, Thane. Just remember that you were the one who suggested this."

Thane's response was sarcastic. "Yeah, okay, little one. Less talking more punching."

I rolled my eyes, and swung my legs out from the bed. Thane's shirt went well over my thighs, so at least I wasn't too exposed. I really did need to get my own clothes though.

I squared up in a fighting stance I had seen Greyson do many times, and Thane's grin broadened, his white teeth glistening.

Trying to have the upper hand by throwing the first punch, I swung my fist at him.

He easily caught it, and used it to pull me closer to him. He put his other arm around mine, so it was squeezed to my side. He didn't let go of my fist, despite me squirming to get away.

"We should spar more often, little mate," Thane winked at me as he smiled victoriously.

"No fair," I whined, my struggling futile. "I didn't stretch or eat breakfast and Mercury is in retrograde and—"

Thane cut me off. "No excuses, love. What happened to 'That's too easy'? Go get dressed. I had a pack member go shopping for you yesterday and get the essentials. After training you can go into town and pick out whatever else you want, but there should be training clothes in the closet."

"'There should be training clothes in the closet'," I mocked his voice in a high pitched tone to get on his nerves. He may be forcing me to go to training, but I would not make it easy on him.

Thane just rolled his eyes and released me from his grasp. "Cute, little one. It'll take more than childish mocking to get under my skin, I'm afraid."

I mocked him again as I went into the closet, turning my back on him. Much to my dismay, he just laughed loudly.

I got dressed in black leggings, a sports bra, a white tank top, and black and white running shoes. The outfit was a little bit too plain and tomboy—ish for my taste, but it would do for now.

Thane looked at me appreciatively as I stepped out of the closet. "Don't look so smug," I muttered as I put my dark hair up into a ponytail. My comment just made his smirk deepen.

"Let's go to the training center, little mate. You won't be training with the rest of the pack until after the Mating Ceremony," Thane grabbed my hand with his and guided me out of the room.