Shattered Ascension

Chapter Ten

Quinn shuffled down the hallway, binder in hand as he disappeared into the office. The pack seemed restless today and the whispers in the hall had him on edge. The binder plopped on the desk before he sat in his leather seat. He rubbed his eyes and groaned.

What was happening? He pushed to his feet as the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Something in the air made him uncomfortable. He moved toward the door and when he opened it, Reece stood in front of him, his hand raised in a fist as if to knock.

“Mum wants to see us,” he said before turning to walk down the hall. Quinn’s golden eyes watched the back of his younger brother as he neared mum’s office. Shaking his head, Quinn slowly followed him.

When the stepped into the office they stood across from her desk and Brom stood by the fireplace. Corinne let out a breath before looking at her two sons. “I am going on a trip.” The creases in her forehead gnawed at Quinn. The last time she had that look was when their father was injured. Every time that look came over her, something bad happened.

“Where to?” Quinn asked. His mother shuffled papers in her hand.

“Brom and you will look after the pack.” She stood, looking at him. “I expect you both to behave.” Quinn restrained from rolling his eyes. They weren’t children anymore, yet his mother insisted on treating them like toddlers that still fought over the biggest slice of pizza.

“Yes, mother,” Reece said, his voice purring. Quinn glanced over at him. Usually he hated when their mother went out of town because it meant he had to listen to Quinn.

“I won’t be gone long,” her voice was hollow as she spoke. Something weighed on her, the bags under her eyes were new. Her gaze rested on Quinn and though she smiled, the distance in her blue eyes encompassed her face. “That is all.” Reece nodded and left her office, but Quinn stepped closer to her.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, raising his brow. Corinne shook her head and placed her hand on his cheek.

He opened his mouth to ask again, but she silence him with her touch. “I need you to look after the pack.” Quinn nodded. His mother wasn’t an affectionate person and his heart drummed in his chest. Something was wrong and she wasn’t forthcoming.

“Yes,” he said. Her hand dropped to her side.

“The girl, Sawyer. I want you to take over her training.” She cast a glance at the door Reece walked out. “He is blinded by his infatuation.” Quinn nodded before heading out of the office.

Sawyer would be along later today. They changed their plans and she got a surprise day off. Quinn waited on the front steps as he watched a white Pontiac screech to halt in the driveway. It was a miracle that the half brown car hadn’t crumbled on her drive over.

The redhead stepped out of the car, wearing a green shirt with a brown stain at the bottom. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun atop her head and the tight jeans she wore hugged her curves. He understood his brothers interest in her, but that was merely from a physical perspective. Sawyer stalked up the steps, her brow pinched.

“Where’s the stalk-Reece,” she said crossing her arms. Her almost insult didn’t warrant an embarrassed expression. She almost seemed pleased to see Quinn instead.

“Relieved of duties,” Quinn said. “You’re stuck with me.” She smirked, letting her hands fall at her side. The creases on her forehead eased.

“I’ve had worse.” She raised a brow. “Now what?” She asked.

“Now we spar.” Quinn stepped sideways and motioned toward the house. “We will fight in both forms.” He added as she walked by him and inside the house.

Quinn wasn’t surprised by her aptitude at hand-to-hand combat. She’d already proved she could land a blow when she broke Riley’s nose. Quinn leapt back, dodging her fist again. Her weakness was her stamina.

Her chest rose and fell, the crimson cast over her cheeks shone. The longer they fought the slower she moved. At first her burst of strength and speed surprised him, but it began waning. The beginning was a show and she was failing at longevity.

“You’ll never make it far without stamina,” Quinn said as he continued to evade her attacks. “Regular runs will greatly help.” Quinn moved to the side and hit his palm against her shoulder. Sawyer stumbled sideways before bending over and resting her hands on her knees.

Sawyer glanced over at him, her green eyes narrow as she watched him. “I didn’t get much of a chance,” she snapped, straightening up. Strands of red shot out in various directions and her face matched her hair more and more.

“You would have, if you’d joined earlier.” Quinn smiled at her. The panting had eased some, but her movements were predictable. Sawyer turned to face him, her eyes steady and her breathing slowed.

Sawyer stood a couple feet away and he listened as her heart drummed in her chest; anger or exhaustion, either plausible and both likely. She stepped forward and there was a different determination in her eyes. Before she didn’t look too bothered, but the fire in her eyes was unmistakable.

Words fired her up and Quinn grinned, satisfied by her newfound rage. Sawyer leapt at him, punching left. Quinn expected more as he banked right, but her foot slid wide, catching his leg and bringing him on his back. Quinn collided with the ground and Sawyer stood over him, her legs on either side.

“Brain over brawn,” Sawyer said, a smirk playing on her full lips.

“Not bad,” Quinn said. He hadn’t anticipated a leg swipe, maybe he was getting cocky. Sawyer stepped off and stretched her arms as Quinn stood. “I’m pleasantly surprised, Ms. Valentine.”

Sawyer scoffed and glanced over her shoulder at him. “It’s Sawyer.” She reached up and fiddled with her bun. “You make me feel old when you say that.” She chuckled lightly as her red hair fell over her shoulders. Her eyes narrowed before she said, “Mr. Lobo.”

Quinn laughed. “That’s my father,” he said grinning. “Let’s just stick with first names.”

She pulled her hair into a tight bun before turning to face Quinn. She looked ready to go again. “What now?” Sawyer asked raising a brow. Her company was surprisingly pleasant, and he found himself enjoying it more than he’d anticipated.

“Five-minute break.” Quinn headed toward the mansion. They’d practiced out back instead of inside. Quinn preferred practicing where he was most likely to fight. The cool air outside couldn’t be replaced by the AC. Something about being in the forest felt freeing. Sawyer walked beside him as they headed toward the kitchen. Cold lemonade sat on the table for them when they walked in.

Sawyer grabbed a glass and downed it before pouring herself more. Though the pack treated her negatively, she made herself quite comfortable. Quinn couldn’t figure out whether it was her personality or his inclination to empathize with the outsider, but he felt lured to her. The way she commanded the room. Her confidence and wit. The tongue she wielded seemed unparalleled. She’d never know it, but leadership oozes from her. The one troubling aspect Quinn noted was her stubbornness.

“What?” Sawyer said, holding a half empty glass of lemonade. The raised brow interrogated him, and she needed no words to cut him like a knife.

Quinn grabbed a glass and took a sip. “You surprised me, Sawyer.” He said her name slowly.

“Impressed?” The attitude backed in that single word was fueled by a raging fire. That’s what she was.

Sawyer, the wildfire, uncontrolled and never yielding. “Surprised,” Quinn repeated. Impressed was what he thought, but the flame in her eyes didn’t need to hear those words and he’d felt compelled to douse the fire a bit. Those flames would burn regardless of his praise, but lest not feed the fire.

She finished the lemonade and placed the empty cup on the table. “What’s up with the pack?” Her emerald orbs focused on the door in front of them.

“I need more precision,” Quinn said setting his glass beside hers. He knew exactly what she’d meant, and her forward nature kept him on his toes. Sawyer was full of surprises.

She turned to him. “Don’t be coy.”

Quinn chuckled feeling the tension build. “There aren’t many twins in my position.” He’d have to be meticulous about his word choice since he hadn’t decided whether or not she was trustworthy. “Wolves are vicious when sharing the womb. Usually one dies before reaching full term.”

Sawyer placed her hands on her hips. “I don’t need a science lesson.”

“I’m not used to such a brusque manner.” The moment the words left his mouth he regretted them. He hadn’t meant them to sound so negative and biting, but he knew that’s how she’d take them. Her propensity to be blunt was unusual for someone of his status. Even other wolves with higher ranking were far more tactful and passive aggressive.

She opened her mouth then closed it again. The creases in her forehead returned and he knew he’d angered his little wildfire.

“I didn’t-”

“No,” she said, cutting him off. “It isn’t my place.” Her voice softened and he was surprised yet again by her. For someone so forward he hadn’t expected such understanding.

“You continue to surprise me,” Quinn said, giving her a small smile. Confusion crossed her face for a moment before she relaxed. “Maybe in due time.”

A short chuckle sounded from her and she nodded. “In due time,” she repeated quietly. The resignation that she’d be here for a while passed over her and she cast her gaze down, unsuccessfully hiding the pain in her eyes.

“Ready to go again?” Quinn asked. The sadness that washed over her disturbed him. “Unless you want to call it a night.”

“A chance to kick your butt or go home and regret not silencing your arrogance? Hmm, quite the toss up,” she said looking at him. The familiar light back in her eyes eased his worry.

“You’re going to regret that decision.” Quinn laughed as he headed back outside. “I won’t go easy on you.”

Sawyer snorted before saying, “You better not.” She fell in step beside him. “I’ll stop going easy on you.” He looked down at her and grinned. She was something else.