Chapter 9

• I braided my hair to keep loose auburn strands from clinging to my sweat-slick neck and shoulders. The makeshift gym had become a second home this last month spent training tirelessly with Natasha and the others. Sore muscles protested but I basked in the glow of hard earned progress nonetheless.
• "Not bad today, Cross."
• I grinned at Natasha's backhanded praise, accepting the towel she tossed my way. Coming from the formidable she-wolf, I'd take what I could get.