AVERY
I was laughing when the training wrapped up—sweaty, tired, body aching and heart full. My muscles burned, but it was the good kind of pain, the earned kind. Shade and I had sparred until I could barely stand, and Thier had stepped in with water bottles and an eye-roll while Blaze kept score like it was a damn game show.
Courtney huffed beside me, stretching her arms over her head.
"I can't with the two of you. f*****g horny," she muttered under her breath.
I snorted, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Oh, please. You enjoy it. You’re just mad no one’s pinning you to the floor—yet.”
Courtney raised a brow. “Keep talking and I’ll make sure it’s you on the floor next time. Face down.”
“Ooh,” I grinned, and turned, coming face to face with Ayla. My smile withered. Goddess. I had
