Chapter 11

Ardal

I’m standing in front of James, watching his sneering face as he appears as if he wants to tear my head off. However, I try to keep my head high as I prepare to keep him busy by listing out the workout plan I’ve laid out.

Already, I don’t react to his vicious stare as I begin to walk toward a machine, showing it off as I insist he tries it. His eyes watch my every move, and I swear I can practically feel Susan’s doing the same somewhere.

James follows my request, walking closer as he heads for the machine. I almost feel my heart relax a little as I see him reach for a weight.

But then my heart slams the front of my chest as his hand lunges out and firmly grasps my wrist instead. Holy Goddess - despite being out of shape he’s surprisingly fast.

And strong. That discovery hits me hard as he still holds onto me, smiling menacingly as I turn to face him.

“You’re a pretty little thing,” he breathes into my face, causing me to grimace. “I’d love to see what this body looks like underneath these clothes.”

Just then, his other hand dances closer, heading straight for my chest. His palm is widened, ready to cup my breast as he cuts the distance. But there’s no way in hell I’m letting him touch me.

Pretending to still struggle against his grasp, I grit my teeth as I prepare the strength in my other arm. Just as his hand is nearly against me, I bring it forward, placing it firmly on his upper body before I force myself toward him.

Not expecting the blow, the man flies backward, releasing me as he stumbles to the ground hard. He huffs, cursing at me as he lands clumsily.

“You-“

“Shut your mouth,” I cut him off, standing over him as I offer my own scowl.

“And listen carefully,” I continue. “I’ve already set up my phone in the corner and my video camera is on. I’m recording. You try to touch me again - I’ll make sure everyone sees the footage of you trying to harass me.”

In reply, the man gives a sinister smile.

“Foolish bitch,” he spits out. “Do you have any idea who I am? I have more money than you could dream of and I never pay for my sins. I’ve taken down and assaulted she-wolves double your size. And I’ve walked away freely each time.”

I scoff at him, not intimidated whatsoever. “You don’t scare me,” I stare. “I know all about your background. And I also know your family.”

I see his expression fidget at my last words.

“Unlike you, your father is a respectable wolf and he’s the one to thank for your fortune,” I mock. “If you try to harass me then I’ll make sure that my footage and all the other recordings of you assaulting coaches is sent to him. He’ll be ashamed and you’ll be cut off.”

I’d make sure of it. I would do whatever it took to tear this creep down and protect other she-wolves. He lays one finger on me again and he’s done.

James continues to stare at me, waiting to see if I’ll break. However, as he realizes that I’m completely serious, he begins to lean away.

“Fine,” he finally says. “You win.”

“Apologize,” I state harshly.

“I’m sorry,” he immediately states. “I won’t touch you again.”

With those words, I give a firm nod as I lean away from him.

“Good,” I throw at him. “Now get your ass up. We have work to do.”

James is a good little boy the rest of our training session. He even relents and lets me use the public space in the gym so we have access to machines that are more beneficial for his needs.

He follows my every order without complaint, adjusts his workouts as I say. And he sure as hell doesn’t try to lay another hand on me.

As we work, I begin to notice other coaches and visitors staring toward us, some of them even stopping to watch the show. A crowd is slowly forming, but I try to ignore their smiles as I keep my focus on James.

After an hour, James has worked up a good sweat, soaking through his shirt and coating his skin. He’s out of breath and beyond exhausted, allowing me to finally tell him to hit the showers.

And once he disappears into the locker room, other coaches flood to my side.

“You’re amazing.”

“How did you get him to do that?”

“Thank you,” one female coach even says as she takes my hand. “We’ve all been so afraid of him, or to say a word against his rude behavior. So thank you.”

I answer them all with a nod, proud that I was able to bring them relief. However, I soon slide my eyes away from them before I look toward an open doorway near the edge of the room. Once I’ve said my goodbyes to the other wolves, I go straight for it.

I storm inside, finding the exact woman I want sitting within the office. Right as she sees me, she begins fuming - but I don’t let her speak first.

“I hope you're proud of yourself,” I fire out. “I just had all your employees personally thank me for dealing with your awful guest, which is something you should have done months ago.”

In reply, Susan flashes her teeth at me.

“It’s irresponsible to allow those types of guests in your gym after they’ve openly harassed your coaches,” I grit out. “You should be ashamed.”

“Shut up!” Susan finally snaps at me, brimming with anger. “And get the hell out of my office! I’ll make sure everyone sees the tape of you agreeing! Show how you use your body to get the upper hand!”

“Funny,” I say with a scoff. “I actually made a tape of my own.” I then stop to pull out my phone, immediately holding it out so she can see my recording.

“As you can see - this clearly shows that James came on to me and I defended myself,” I say as Susan’s jaw tightens. “The only way I used my body today was to protect myself. And really, isn’t it clear who used their body to get ahead?”

Susan is tight lipped now, giving me a murderous stare as I raise my question.

I click my tongue. “I mean, you’re a beautiful woman,” I say, throwing out the compliment to mock her. “But look at those bony arms. Don’t tell me you became the owner of this club because of your strength. Unless I’m wrong - then please, show me your fitness trainer certification.”

“Shut up!” Susan snaps again, jumping to her feet.

But that’s not all she does. I watch as she suddenly turns, registering too late that she grabs a full coffee pot sitting at the counter near her desk. And then she throws it toward me, splashing coffee right into my face.

I’m stunned as the liquid slides down my skin, thankful that it wasn’t scolding hot. But still, Susan meant to humiliate me, and has made me look like a mess as coffee soaks into my hair and shirt.

“Susan!?” I hear a voice call, but I can’t make out who it is as my heartbeat pounds in my ears. All I know is a strange smile begins to spread across Susan’s lips.

And then much to my disbelief, she abruptly falls to the ground and begins to scream.

“What are you doing!?” she calls out, shaking. “Why would you do this to me!?”

I blink at her, at a loss as to why she’s acting like this. However, my answer is soon storming in through the door, causing my eyes to sweep over as I watch him fearfully take in his girlfriend.

But then his gaze snaps at me, becoming angrier and colder.

“What the fuck did you do now!?” Kadeem demands.

What did I do? Nothing. I did nothing before and I did nothing now. Can’t he see that I’m the one who’s currently covered in coffee?

“Are you bullying my girlfriend?” he asks harshly, just before he steps closer and firmly takes my arm. “You’re trying my patience, little wolf.”

And then he leans closer to me.

“Start talking,” he demands. “Now.”

But I can’t. Not as he’s less than a foot away, seething right in my face. However, it’s not because I’m afraid of him.

It’s because I can scent him. His familiar smell flies into my nose, filling my system completely.

And immediately, I can feel my wolf losing control.