Alpha Olivia

Baby Steps

**Alpha Olivia POV**

Over the next few weeks, I focused on getting better. My health greatly improved, and my leg healed. We are still not sure what it was laced with, but I knew Demetrius and Adam were working on it, and had gotten a witch involved.

I started training with the siblings again, and as much as I begged him to stay away, Xander came to visit more and more often. I upped my training twice a day and my body got stronger than before. I was a force to be reckoned with, and they all struggled to beat me. Xander watched the training sessions, and occasionally would yell out tips for me and encouragement.

I had to hand it to him and I, for both of us being Alpha's, we were keeping control of our urges quite well. His tanned body that was all muscle and his blue eyes and black hair were enough to feel an attraction to him, but the mate bond made it ten times harder. We both agreed to stay away and Addy stayed at the apartment with me when I went through my first heat. It was an awful experience, my whole body was burning up, and I couldn't form a single coherent sentence for over three days.

Xander came into the gym and watched with interest as I sparred with Addy. Demetrius had lightened up on her workload, and she was able to be home more, which I enjoyed since I wasn't the only female then. Her training methods were intense, and she was merciless in our matches. She had helped me improve my skills immensely since the guys were too worried about hurting me.

I took Addy down and quickly placed her in a headlock, not giving her time to retaliate. That was the main thing she taught me is to never give an ounce of hesitation or give your opponent time to regain balance if you wanted to keep the upper hand. I gripped her neck in the crook of my elbow and squeezed up, my sweat making it hard to keep my grip. I saw her face turning a bluish tint, but I wouldn't let up until she tapped out, or I knew she would try and come at me again. I locked eyes with Xander just as she tapped my arm to give up. I could feel the butterflies growing in my stomach.

He stared at me with a glint in his eye and a smirk on his face. Good Goddess he was attractive. Aly purred in my head. She didn't really talk to me much after I rejected him. She was angry at me, and I understood and gave her space. She was understanding in return of why I did it. She said we are strong enough on our own without him, but he was the 'cheese to her macaroni' as she called it. I don't know where she comes up with that stuff.

I released Addy and she gasped for air. I stepped back, keeping eye contact with Xander as I backed away. Alpha's are very territorial, so I was sure he would take it as a challenge exactly how I meant it. He did. His eyebrows furrowed and he growled at me in warning.

'Can you imagine the struggle for control in the bedroom? Good Goddess girl. We almost gave that up?' I rolled my eyes at Aly. Now she wants to chat.

Xander stepped forward, coming within inches of me. I could feel my chest pressing against his muscled frame. My breath caught and I had to shove Aly down to keep her from taking control and mating him right there on the mats. Even though I rejected him, his rejection of my rejection kept the ties intact. It may be damaged, but that bond is very much alive.

"I suggest you keep your eyes to yourself, little wolf. You took that warrior down easily, but you're no match for me." I had to focus hard on his words and his smell enveloped me. A little woodsy with a hint of coffee. I felt my knees get a little weak and for a second my front faltered a bit. I felt Aly come forward to get a good look at him. She purred in satisfaction at the hunk of a wolf that stood before us.

'Oh Olive, I may not be happy with you, but we are not just going to fall down at his feet. We at least gotta play a little hard to get. Get your life together.'

I regained my composure and looked up at him to see a grin forming on his face. He caught me, and I'm sure he could smell the arousal that was starting to warm my thighs. I looked at his lips and seductively looked back into his eyes and put on my best smile.

"If you think you can take me down, get over here big boy. Let's see what you've got." I pulled my shirt over my head so I was standing in my leggings and sports bra. I threw my hat off to the side and let my french braids fall around my shoulders. My abs and toned arms on display, I walked away from him towards the mat, making sure to sway my hips a bit as I walked. Aly snickered in approval. 'Atta girl.'

He hesitated and I could feel his eyes on my a*s as I walked to the mat. Addy was sitting on the bench with her hand massaging her throat and I could hear her coughing and sputtering. I'm glad I didn't seriously hurt her, she would be just fine in a few minutes. She should have tapped out sooner.

He pulled off his shirt and tossed it onto the bench near Addy. Without a shirt he somehow looked even bigger, and I let my eyes trail over the tattoos that covered his arms and chest. Being pinned underneath him on the mat didn't seem like such a bad idea right now. I shook my head and pushed the thought out of my head. Pull yourself together Olive, he's the enemy in this match.

I stood in the center of the mat and he walked to stand across from me. I bounced on my toes like a boxer and shook my arms and moved my head back and forth to get myself hyped up a bit. He watched me curiously and circled me, being sure to lightly brush his hand on my a*s. I rolled my eyes.

I crouched to attack when I heard Addy from the corner say something. I looked at her questioningly and she pointed to her throat. She cleared her throat a few times before saying "Stop. Demetrius wants to see you. Now. It's urgent. He said your pack knows your alive. He knows you're here and he wants you delivered to his door step."

My arms fell to my side and I looked at Xander. I could feel the color draining for my face. My first battle was a lot closer than I anticipated. His features grew dark as he realized this was not a good thing, and quickly grabbed his shirt, throwing me my hoodie.

"Let's get to it then." was all he said before he walked out the door.

F*ck. Why did I have to meet my mate right before this? This whole situation was a hot mess.