Free Adrian by V. Vaughn Page A

thick length. It’s hot and pulses against my palm as I reply, “Yes. You do.”
    He flips me onto my back, and I squeal before he crawls over me to say, “Takedown rule number one, distract your opponent.”
    I giggle as he kisses his way down my chest, and say, “Takedown rule number two, let your mate win--oh!” Adrian licks my folds and takes my clit between his teeth as I pant out, “Especially if you’re the prize.”

----
    T he next day , I arrive at Tori’s just before noon. It’s a good thing my resolve is strong, because each mile I put between Adrian and me tugs at my heart a little bit more. I placate myself with the thought that he’ll be here in a few days to recharge our batteries. Tori greets me, but unlike last time when she was in sweats, she’s in an emerald-green business-style skirt and jacket. Her dark hair is up, and it makes her look serious.
    The scent of something baked and sweet wafts toward me as I step inside. “Wow, you look fabulous,” I say.
    “Thanks. I’m off to a lunch meeting with the other prima in a few minutes.” The prima are the mates and, like Tori, sometimes the alpha of the clans that make up the Northeast Kingdom. Her heels click as she walks down the hall, and my bag thumps at the bottom of the staircase when I drop it to follow her. She takes me to the kitchen and introduces me to an older woman named Carol. I grin at the motherly version of my sister when Tori tells her to make me a protein-packed lunch because I’m going to begin warrior training this afternoon.
    Tori leans in and kisses me on the cheek. “Carol will take good care of you. Keith and I usually eat dinner at six, but we’ll wait until you get home.” She waves before she steps through a side door located at this end of the house. “Good luck today!”
    I turn to Carol, who says, “Go get settled in your room, and I’ll have something ready for you in ten minutes.”
    “Thanks.”
    An hour later, I’m in a state-of-the-art gym located on De Rozier land. It’s just one building of many that make up Tristan and Annie’s complex. Across the parking lot from it is a large dormitory-style structure that was built to house the De Roziers who came here from the Arctic with next to nothing.
    When I push my way through the heavy glass door, I notice Sven, my trainer. He’s broader than Adrian with a body of solid muscle, but his pale-blond hair and blue eyes make it clear they’re from the same clan. Tori told me he’s mated to her old college roommate, Lucy, and I smile when I see him. He’s not much more of a talker than Andre and Aleck are, but I’m used to their ways, and I think that’s why Sven and I hit it off when I worked with him the last time.
    Metal clangs and grunts sound as I walk toward him. I ask, “Are you ready to whip me into shape?”
    He nods toward the mats, and I follow him as I remove my hoodie that contains my phone, keys, and wallet. I plan to shower later at Tori’s with all the niceties I prefer over a gym locker room. Sven doesn’t waste time, and he tosses me a jump rope before my sweatshirt thumps on the ground. The beginning of our session is about quick feet. And while I trip over my rope at first, once I master the combinations, I amaze myself with the speed at which I can move. But when a couple guys come over to watch, I get uncomfortable.
    I stop with the pretense that I need to breathe, and Sven must get why, because he turns to the werebear that have gathered and growls. Their eyes get big, and they scurry away like gym rats. I smile at Sven, and he nods as I resume jumping. When I’m sure my legs will fall off, Sven takes me over to the mirrors.
    He says, “Now we talk about finesse. There are five parts to a successful warrior. Speed, agility, power, courage, and”--he taps his head--“intelligence. I can only help you with the first three.” He grins at me, and it makes me smile back. He works on Tai Chi-like moves with me, although nothing