The energy at the gym was celebratory. The self-defense class had moved to the actual gym, no longer practicing in secret in the basement. Josie had worked for weeks to set up this graduation event and all the women were chatting excitedly, but I noticed that most of the alphas looked as tense as I felt.
Ben, Theo, and I stood next to Poppy’s alphas. They gave us a curt nod before focusing back on their omega. I didn’t blame them—I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Josie. She moved around the room easily, greeting everyone and hugging her friends. A goofy smile spread across my face as I felt her happiness through the bond. Her eyes met mine, and she smiled and waved across the room. I had to suppress the urge to run and sweep her up in my arms. Ben put his arm around me.
“Can’t believe she’s ours,” he said, not taking his eyes off her.
I grunted my agreement.
Luc clapped his hands and the room fell quiet. I noticed he was standing in front of a slight woman sitting in a wheelchair. I couldn’t get a good look at her, but I bet that was Charlie.
“I won’t make this long, but I want to welcome everyone and thank you all for being here. I want to especially thank Josie for all her work organizing today. This self-defense group wouldn’t exist without her persistence.”
Applause and cheers broke out in the room, and my mate blushed. She looked fucking edible.
“Today is about allowing our class participants to do a real-world self-defense simulation. My pack mate, Paulo, will act out the simulations today.” Luc gestured to an alpha dressed up head to toe in padding. Paulo gave us all a friendly wave. I hated him on sheer instinct.
Luc continued, reading off a notecard now. “It’s very important that any alphas watching remember that this is not real. Your omegas don’t need saving, and if you disrupt the simulation, you will face their wrath.” He looked up from the card. “Josie told me I had to say that word for word.” My little mate beamed at him and Ben snorted beside me.
Paulo added, “Remember, use the safe word red if you get scared, hurt, or need to stop the simulation for any reason. The goal for today is to get away from me safely. Now, let’s have fun!”
The women went to suit up in protective equipment. I recognized Westin, Clementine, and Poppy. Angie and her pack were also here, her hand resting on her swelling belly.
Josie volunteered to go first since she had been in the class the longest. My brothers and I were doing our best to shield our apprehension from the bond so it wouldn’t affect her. I caressed the bond with affection, and she looked over at me, blowing me a kiss.
The women were all lined up together to cheer Josie on. My heart was pounding out of my chest as the simulation began. Josie was pretending to grocery shop when Paolo approached her and started talking. After a few minutes, his words grew more aggressive, telling her she needed to come with him. Josie refused, and he grabbed her arm. She was easily able to break out of his hold and went to back away, but he quickly swept her legs and knocked her to the ground. I clenched my fists, a growl breaking through my chest. Ben put his arm around me.
“She’s okay,” he murmured. “Look.”
Josie bent a leg, kicking it towards her head to break his hold on her. Then she lashed out, kicking at Paolo as hard as she could, hitting his knee. He let go and she scrambled to her feet. He came at her again, grabbing her around the waist. She reached out and grabbed his shoulders for leverage before landing a knee to his groin. Paolo fell to the ground.
“Fuck yes!” I shouted while Theo whooped in excitement.
“She’s kicking ass,” Ben said.
“Of fucking course she is. She’s amazing,” I responded, not taking my eyes off her.
Paolo reached out and snagged her ankle before Josie could get away, pulling her to the ground. Adrenaline pumped through me, but Josie stayed calm. She waited until Paolo had pulled her closer and then lashed out with her free leg, clipping him in the face. She crawled out of his reach before standing up and running away.
Once she was free of him, sound rushed back and I realized all the women and other onlookers were cheering. I joined in, clapping and shouting as loudly as I could. Josie ripped off her helmet, shook hands with Paolo, who was beaming at her, and then she ran over to us, launching herself at me. I picked her up easily, swinging her around. Ben and Theo pressed in on both sides, all of us holding her tightly.
“I did it!” she exclaimed.
“Never doubted you, baby girl. So fucking proud,” I said, gripping her neck firmly with one hand and pulling her in for a kiss.
“That was amazing, angel,” Theo murmured. “I have no doubt you could take all of us down.”
“I mean probably, yeah, I could!” she said.
“You looked so confident and strong, precious,” Ben said, pulling her out of my grasp to hug her.
Josie went back to stand with her friends, cheering everyone on loudly as they took their turns. All of them did great, and I had to admit I was impressed with how much Luc had taught them.
After all the simulations, the three of us stood off to the side as Josie talked with her friends. Luc leaned down to give Charlie a kiss before walking over to us.
“Thanks for being here today,” he said. “I think that went well.”
“Thanks for all you’ve done,” I said, shaking his hand. “This has meant so much to Josie.”
“We’re talking about opening the class up to more people and it’d be great to have more help. The omegas can be…”
“We can be what?” Josie asked, coming up behind Luc, who jumped.
“Uh…” he stammered, eyes wide. “I was asking Ben if he wanted to help with classes,” he said, changing the subject.
Josie’s eyes narrowed at him for a second before she turned to Ben with a wide smile.
“Would you want to?” she asked, and I could feel her hopefulness through the bond.
“If you think I could be helpful, of course,” Ben responded, beaming.
I smiled, happy for him but also jealous that she hadn’t asked me to help.
“And I thought maybe you two could help teach those interested in shooting,” she said, looking between Theo and me. I puffed up, feeling ridiculously proud that she saw me as useful.
“Of course,” Theo said with a smile.
“Great,” Luc said. He clasped Josie’s shoulder and leaned down slightly. “You’re a pain in my ass, but I’m proud to know you.”
Josie snorted and threw her arms around him, forcing him into a hug. “You big softie. I’m so excited about our class expansion, especially since Charlie’s going to join us now,” she said, pulling away from Luc and waving at Charlie, who gave her a thumbs-up from across the room. “Soon, we’ll have to change the name of the gym to Alpha and Omega Gainzz. With two Zs.”
Luc groaned. “Fucking omegas,” he muttered before walking away.
Josie giggled, leaning into my side. I ran my hand down her back, hugging her closer to me.
“Today was perfect,” she sighed.
I leaned down and kissed her, her lips soft and sweet against mine. “Don’t know how I got so fucking lucky,” I murmured, caressing her through the bond.
