I Dare You, Alpha!

Chapter 4: A Little Distraction

Roxy’s POV

I shut my bedroom door and leaned against it. I was not jealous of Vanessa. I was not thinking about Knox’s smile, his hand on her back, or the way he had looked at me before leaving.

My wolf gave a smug little nudge, and I pointed at my chest. “Not one word. You have terrible taste.” The room offered no useful advice, so I grabbed my leather jacket and headed downstairs.

I needed air. Laughter drifted from the training grounds, so I followed it. A dozen warriors were sparring beneath the fading evening light. Shirts clung to damp backs, and wooden practice blades cracked together.

One broad-shouldered warrior swept his partner off his feet, and I whistled appreciatively. “Nice move!” Both men turned. The one on the ground groaned. “Can you cheer for me next time?” he asked.

“Win next time,” I said. “I’m not handing out participation prizes.” A few warriors laughed. Their instructor, a stern woman with a braid down her back, folded her arms.

“You here to watch or train?” she asked. “Depends. Is there a test? Because I didn’t study.” “Name’s Mara,” she said. “And that answer tells me you’d be trouble.”

I shrugged out of my jacket, leaving my black singlet and jeans. “Roxy. And you say that like trouble isn’t useful.” The air felt cooler against my arms, and several warriors glanced over before pretending they hadn't.

One was so busy looking that his practice blade tapped his partner’s shoulder. “Eyes on your opponent, Finn,” Mara called. Finn straightened. “My eyes are on him.”

His partner pointed at his own shoulder. “Then why did you hit me there?” I grinned. “I’m beginning to think I’m excellent for morale.” “You’re excellent for making my job difficult,” Mara replied.

“Same thing, depending on the job,” I said. Before she could answer, a familiar voice cut across the grounds. “What’s going on here?” The warriors straightened as Knox appeared at the entrance.

His gaze swept the group, then settled on me in my singlet. His expression went still. I lifted a hand. “Evening, handsome.” “Roxy,” he replied.

“We’re learning names. It’s a beautiful evening.” He ignored that. “Why are you here?” “Walking. Then I heard people hitting each other with sticks. I got curious.”

“They’re training.” “I noticed. The sticks were a clue.” Finn made a noise that might have been a cough, then studied the ground as if it held the secrets of the universe.

Mara stepped forward. “She hasn’t interrupted training, Alpha.” “I didn’t say she had.” “You looked like you were about to banish the entire field,” I said. Knox looked at the warriors, whose attention kept drifting toward us.

“Everyone back to work,” he ordered. They moved, though several still sneaked glances at me. I folded my arms. “You’re welcome, by the way.” He frowned. “For what?” “Improving attendance.”

“You’re distracting them.” I glanced at the warriors. One was staring so openly that his partner nudged him with a practice blade. “I’m standing here.” Knox’s jaw tightened. “Exactly.”

I pressed a hand to my chest. “That may be the nicest thing you’ve said to me.” “It wasn’t a compliment.” “I’ll treasure it anyway.” Knox stepped closer and lowered his voice.

“Do you enjoy making a scene?” he asked. “Only when the audience is good.” His eyes flicked toward the warriors, then returned to me. “Put your jacket on.”

I looked at the jacket on the bench, then back at him. “Is the weather dangerous? Is my singlet against pack law?” “No.” “Then I’m struggling to understand the emergency.”

Behind him, Jace appeared with a water bottle and the expression of a man arriving for his favorite show. “Am I interrupting?” he asked. “Not at all,” I said. “Knox is explaining the rules about clothing.”

Jace glanced at him. “Did we get new rules? I wore the wrong shirt to breakfast and would hate to be arrested.” I laughed. Knox did not.

Mara called for another demonstration. Finn volunteered, eager to recover his dignity. “Want to see a proper move?” he asked me. “Is it better than the last one?” “It couldn't be worse.”

“Then impress me.” Finn demonstrated a clean turn and disarmed his partner with a neat tap to the wrist. I applauded. “Very nice. You may keep both your arms.”

“High praise,” he said, grinning. Knox moved between us before Finn could answer. “I’ll demonstrate the next one,” Knox announced. Jace’s eyebrows shot up.

“You? Training with the rest of us? Should I send for witnesses?” “Do you want to volunteer instead?” Knox asked. “No. I value my life and my excellent face.”

Knox took a practice blade and performed a quick series of movements, ending with the blade pressed neatly against his partner’s chest. The warriors cheered. I whistled again. “Not bad, Alpha.”

He turned to me. “Not bad?” “I’ve seen better.” “Where?” he asked. “In my imagination. He’s very talented.” Jace laughed outright. Knox handed back the blade and walked toward me.

“Do you flirt with everyone?” he asked quietly. “Only people who ask such interesting questions.” “That wasn’t an answer.” “Then ask a better question.”

His gaze dropped to my mouth. The bond stirred, warm and insistent, and my pulse suddenly forgot how to behave. “Are you trying to make me jealous?” he asked.

I blinked. That was almost an admission. “Of whom? Your warriors? I haven’t picked a favorite yet.” Finn immediately pretended to stretch, while Knox’s expression darkened.

“This isn’t a game,” he said. “Then stop playing.” For a moment, neither of us spoke. He wanted to tell me what to do. I wanted him to realize I wouldn’t obey just because he used that voice.

Jace cleared his throat. “As entertaining as this is, some of us have actual work.” I reached for my jacket. Knox caught the sleeve before I could lift it, his fingers brushing mine.

The bond sparked between us, and he released the fabric as though it had burned him. “Stay,” he said. I looked at his hand, then at his face. “Is that an order?”

He hesitated. I smiled slowly. “Because if it is, you should know I’m terrible at those.” “Roxy, I need to talk to you.” “About what?”

His eyes held mine, and for once he seemed to have no command ready, no sharp answer to hide behind. “Just stay a little longer,” he said.

The request was quiet, almost honest. I slipped my jacket over one shoulder but didn't put it on. “That sounded suspiciously like asking.” “Don't make me regret it.”

“Too late. I'm enjoying it already.” His mouth tightened, but he didn't look away. Behind him, the warriors suddenly found their training fascinating. I tilted my head.

“All right, Alpha. You have five minutes. Make them interesting.” Knox stepped aside to let me pass toward the empty bench. His gaze followed me the entire way.

So much for pretending I meant nothing to him.