Three hours later and I'm still staring up at the ceiling. I'm beyond irritated and ready to take my frustration out on whoever's dumb enough to spar with me. I throw on some leggings and a sports bra and head down the hallway, looking for anyone that can point me in the direction of the gym.

As I get closer to Killian's office, I hear shouting from behind the door. Although I briefly contemplate continuing down the hall, minding my own business has never been my strong suit, and I am here to collect intel, after all.

I press my ear up against the door.

"You're leading us into a slaughter, Killian!"

"We need more time and information, we can't just rush into this blindly!"

"You're housing a Warrior, you have the entire council breathing down your neck and you think we're just going to fight this war for your petty satisfaction!"

Several angry voices go back and forth as Killian tries to calm them all. So these must be the other Alphas that Killian is trying to recruit.

There's a gentle tap on my shoulder and I jump at the touch.

"I was just-"

"No need to defend yourself, Warrior," a pair of forest green eyes look back at me and the face attached to them is nothing short of spectacular. "I'm sorry, where are my manners? I'm Marcus," he grins.

His voice is smooth, so different from Killian's rough timbre.

"Rey," I extend my hand out to him.

"Are you going to the gym, or would you prefer to continue eavesdropping?" He asks, giving me a once over.

"What gave you that impression?" I leer.

"Well let me escort you then," he links his arm through mine and I let him, feeling oddly at ease with this near stranger.

We stretch in comfortable silence, my mind still reeling from what I overheard. Why would Killian want to rush into a war?

"What do you know about Alpha Killian's relationship with Alpha Lucas?"

I pull out one of the punching bags from the storage closet and start to take out my earlier frustrations on it.

"I know that the council would do best to keep their noses out of this. Whatever is going on between Killian and Lucas is personal. Even you can respect that. Now, stop trying to murder that punching bag and teach me some Warrior moves."

I continue pounding away at the bag, pretending like I didn't hear Marcus. When he's distracted enough, I lunge at him, grabbing his arm and tackling him to the floor. I straddle his waist and wrap my hand around his throat, all before he even has time to react.

"Warrior rule number one, never let your guard down," I laugh down at him.

There's a low growl at the door, my head snaps up instantly at the sound. Killian is looking down at us, fury dancing through his eyes.

"Marcus, go find something to do," he commands. "You, follow me."

Marcus gets up, bowing his head at Killian before running out the door. Killian reaches a hand down to me and I grab it hesitantly until I'm eye level with his chest. He turns around without a word, probably assuming I'll follow him obediently.

I stand there with my arms crossed, tapping my foot expectantly. When he realizes I'm not following him, he turns back around to stand in front of me, towering over me with a scowl etched on his face.

"Come on, Killian. Use your big boy words. Most adults say 'please' and 'thank you'."

Killian closes his eyes and clenches his jaw, obviously trying to contain his wolf.

"Will you please follow me outside?" He huffs.

I beam up at him and walk outside, not bothering to wait for him.

"You know, I'm starting to think I don't like you very much!" He calls to me.

I grin over my shoulder at him, admiring the way the moon light hits him as he walks outside behind me.

"So why are we out here?" I turn to face him fully, just as he's pulling his shirt over his head.

"Woah, what the hell?" I squeak out.

It should be no big deal, I've practiced countless times with shirtless guys, but... I've never been quite so affected by lean muscles, or that little trail of hair that disappears below the waistband of his pants...

"You've been on edge," his voice snaps me out of my ogling. He starts pulling his pants down and I turn away, heat rising to my cheeks. "Your wolf has been on edge and it's putting my wolf on edge. We're going for a run."