Free Claiming His Chance by Ellis Leigh Page A

the middle of the training facility surrounded by other fighters. They’d wonder, and I didn’t want to bring any attention to Trinity and me. For whatever reason, she didn’t feel safe here without Piers, something that rankled hard. Still, at least she was watched by him. Piers. Her cousin…not a lover or competition for me. A blood relation.
    Thank fuck for that.
    As I switched from hitting with my right arm to my left, my handler came up with his ever-present clipboard.
    “Appalachia, you ready to fight again tonight?”
    I nodded, still hitting the bag, still thinking about Trinity.
    “This opponent will be harder than last night. You’re moving into the big time now, kid.”
    I grunted, mixing things up, hitting the bag harder to hide my excitement. A fight tonight, then just one left. I’d be free of my pack debt soon, and then I could take Trinity and run. Though we’d have to wait for Piers. Maybe I could delay the next one, or add on a fourth for good measure. Or maybe—
    I grabbed the bag, holding it still as I finally gave the handler my full attention. “What happens if someone doesn’t want to fight?”
    “You backing out, kid?”
    “No, just curious, I guess.”
    He grunted. “Not all guys come here with debts, but for the ones who do, each fight is currency to pay it off. Debt is debt, no matter who pays.”
    I perked up. “Debt is debt. So let’s say I finish the fights to pay off my debt but feel bad for someone who has a longer time here. Could I fight for their debt?”
    The handler shrugged. “It’s not unheard of, but the money draw of each fighter would need to be similar. We wanted Killian for one fight to pay off your pack’s debt, but you came in his place. For you, the cost is three fights. Anyone weaker, the cost would be higher. So the balance still has to be kept. If you decided to fight for someone weaker, there would be fewer fights needed to pay off the debt. Which also means, if they’re stronger—”
    “There’d be more.” I nodded, not wanting to ask about Piers in particular but wondering if there was some way to help get him out of his contract sooner so Trinity and I could leave. So we could all get the hell out of here and back to my mountain.
    The trainer looked me over, one eye squinting a bit. “Anything you need to tell me?”
    “Nope. I’m all set.” I shook my head, pushing the bag away from me. My thoughts wandered with every punch, a future I dared not hope for playing behind my eyes. Trinity and I could leave together. Maybe I could take on another fight for someone. Maybe there was a way to delay so Piers could leave at the same time.
    “Hey, Appalachia.”
    Speak of the devil… I turned to see Piers leaning over the ropes of a ring. The man seemed arrogant, grinning in such a cocky way even my wolf took notice of what looked an awful lot like a challenge. “Come on over here and give me some target practice.”
    I chuffed low but tossed my towel over my shoulder and headed his way. Trinity’s cousin and I needed to have a few words anyway. “Sure thing, kid. So long as you don’t mind missing every shot.”
    Piers laughed, his eyes darker and warier than his bright smile let on. I climbed into the ring slowly, keeping him in my sights. I didn’t think he’d pull any tricks on me, but one never knew. Better to stay safe than be sorry later.
    Piers approached slowly once I was standing on the bouncy base, offering his fists in a sign of respect for the start of a fight.
    “Don’t ever drop your guard,” Piers said, voice quiet, eyes hard. I nodded, understanding his words were for more than our current bout. I rocked back and forth, arms up, ducking my head as he did the same.
    “Anything else you want to tell me?”
    He swung left, practically flying across the floor. “She likes hanging out in the woods behind this place.”
    It was my turn to grin. “Already knew that one.”
    “Breaking the rules already, huh? Not smart.”
    His