Focus,his rational mind commanded, even as his tiger purred at the thought of claiming his mate again.
He moved to his dresser with deliberate control, pulling on fresh boxers, workout pants, and a fitted t-shirt that stretched across his broad shoulders. Riley watched every movement with unconcealed appreciation, and the knowledge that she wanted him as fiercely as he wanted her sent heat racing through his veins.
When he finished dressing, she stood gracefully, all fluid motion and athletic confidence. He guided her out of the bedroom and downstairs through hallways lined with family pictures, past the formal dining room and kitchen, toward the back of the estate where glass doors opened onto the outdoor training area.
Mark was already there, working through a series of combat drills on the padded mats that had been installed years ago when their father insisted both sons learn to fight with precision and lethal efficiency. His younger brother moved with easy grace, less controlled than Adrian but no less skilled.
"Mark," Adrian called as they approached. "I'd like you to meet Riley."
His brother turned, his green eyes lighting with curiosity and warmth as he took in the woman beside Adrian. The partial bond between them would be obvious to any shifter—the lingeringscent of mating and the subtle energy that connected bonded pairs.
"Well, well," Mark said with a grin that immediately put Riley at ease. "So, you're the woman who can make this uptight man actually relax for once."
Adrian shot him a warning look, but Riley laughed—a genuine sound that made warmth flood Adrian's chest.
"Riley's agreed to train me for the kickboxing competition that starts tomorrow," Adrian said.
Mark's eyebrows rose dramatically. "Thank god. I was starting to worry you'd make a complete fool of yourself and embarrass the family name."
"Helpful as always," Adrian replied dryly.
"It's nice to meet you, Riley," Mark said, his expression turning more serious. "And please, take care of my brother. I don't want to see him get knocked out in the first round."
After Mark departed with another teasing grin, Riley turned to Adrian with professional focus that impressed him more than it should have.
"Alright," she said, moving toward the center of the training area. "Let's start with the competition rules so you understand exactly what you're walking into."
For the next hour, she guided him through the structure of tournament fighting—three rounds per match, points-based scoring unless a knockout occurred, and specific techniques that would earn higher scores from judges. Her instruction was precise and thorough, delivered with the confidence of someone who had dominated this sport for years.
"Each round is two minutes," she explained, demonstrating a combination that flowed like deadly poetry. "You need to stay aggressive but controlled. Judges want to see technical skill, not just brute force."
Adrian absorbed every detail, his body responding to her guidance with surprising ease. Years of shifter combat training translated well to human fighting techniques, and Riley's methods sharpened his natural abilities into something more refined.
"You're picking this up faster than most people," she said after he executed a complex sequence perfectly on his third attempt. "Are you sure you really need my help?"
The question held a note of suspicion that made him pause. He could probably succeed in this competition without her expertise—his shifter strength and reflexes gave him significant advantages over human opponents. But admitting that would reveal how much of this training was simply an excuse to keep his mate close, to spend hours touching her and her touching him, learning her body language and her moods, and building the bond between them.
"Your knowledge of competition rules and scoring gives me an edge I wouldn't have otherwise," he said carefully. "And I'd rather be overprepared than underestimate the challenge."
It wasn't entirely a lie, but it wasn't the complete truth either. The real reason he needed her here had nothing to do with fighting techniques and everything to do with the way his tiger settled when she was near, the way her scent calmed and aroused him simultaneously, and the way watching her move made him want to spend forever learning the intricacies of her.
Halfway through their session, the sound of approaching voices made Adrian's head turn. Several pride members emerged from the tree line, drawn by curiosity about their acting Alpha's mysterious training partner. He recognized the faces—mostly younger shifters who respected his leadership but questioned whether he possessed the decisive strength their former Alpha had commanded.
Their expressions ranged from skeptical to welcoming as they took in the sight of a human woman instructing their potential Alpha. Some wrinkled their noses slightly, clearly catching the scent of the partial bond between them and recognizing Riley as his chosen mate. Others watched with growing appreciation as they observed her fluid movements and obvious expertise.
Adrian felt a surge of fierce pride watching their reactions. Riley commanded respect through pure skill and confidence, demanding acknowledgment of her abilities regardless of her human status.
When their training session concluded, Adrian guided Riley toward the small group of observers. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Riley Vaughn, multiple-time national kickboxing champion."
The introduction carried weight, and he watched recognition dawn on several faces. Riley handled the attention with grace, though he could sense her slight overwhelm through their bond.
"If you're planning to watch the competition tomorrow," Adrian added, "you should come see Riley in action as well. She'll be competing in the women's division."
Nods of agreement and murmurs of anticipation followed before the group dispersed, leaving Adrian and Riley alone on the grass.
"Come on," he said, placing a protective hand on her back and guiding her toward the estate. "Let's get some breakfast."
As they moved through the estate's hallways toward the dining room, Adrian felt anticipation thrumming through his veins like electricity. Tomorrow's competition had transformed from a political necessity into something far more significant—a chance to showcase not just his own capabilities, but Riley's extraordinary strength to his pride.