The Alpha's Guardian

"Ali!" Liam calls to me from the training arena. "Come and spar with me!"All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

I shake my head no as I stand near Wade, who talks with a few of the guest warriors. Liam doesn't like my answer. He jogs over and reaches for my hand, which I move behind my back. "Ah, come on, babe. Let's show everyone how good of a fighter you have become."

Liam places his hands on my shoulders and pulls me towards him. Reaching across, I grab his right wrist, spin underneath, and put Liam in a submissive position. He chuckles at me and reaches out, swiping my leg, placing himself between my thighs. He reaches up for my arms, trying to pin them.

I place my foot on his leg, duck under his arm, and kick with all my might, sliding out from under him. Shifting my weight, I roll to the side and pop back up on my feet. I step next to Wade again. I place my hands behind my back, at attention. Liam chuckles loudly and stands. He saunters over, smirking at me like I'm some prize in his little game.

"If you won't spar with me, then I shall try your Alpha. I know you'll just step in. I always get what I want Babe. you know that." he whispers in my ear, his hot breath tickling my neck.

I turn my gaze to him, our noses touching. To me, this isn't sensual. Right now I'm pissed off he is trying to play a game when I am here working. I take what I do seriously. I have changed since he knew me.

"I am not the same person you knew 7 years ago. Do not trifle with me, Liam. You are not mine to protect anymore. I will hurt you if I have to."

"I don't think you could hurt me if you tried, plus you love me and you know it."

I can feel my cheeks flush red and I hate that he still has this hold on me. Liam and I learned a lot from one another. I spent 6 months with him. All day, every day near him. He was my first bond, and I swear a part of me stayed with him when we broke the bond all those years ago.

I'm bowled over by the weight of jealousy and anger that comes through the bond with Wade. Turning, I look over my shoulder and see he is no longer talking to the warriors. They are all watching Liam and I. Fvck. When did this turn into entertainment for everyone else? I know they can hear everything happening. In fact, I'm damn sure that Liam is banking on everyone listening in.

"Alpha Wade is a formidable fighter. I'm sure he is more than capable of protecting himself against you. Though, since protecting you I have picked up new trades along the way."

"Oh, like what?" Liam says, bringing his head to my neck to nuzzle it. I push him off and he laughs.

"You are here to train the pack, Liam. Not play with me like I'm some fun toy. Go do what you came to do." Anger flashes in his eyes.

"I will not have an omega tell me what to do, Ali." He says lowly. "Unless it's in the bedroom."

I shrug at him and his insult. When I was with him, such words would break me down, destroy me. I've since learned to love who I am. Omega and all, it is no longer an insult to me but to the people I represent. A flash of movement catches my eyes. Before I can comprehend what is happening, Wade is standing between Liam and me.

"Watch what you say, Alpha Liam," he says sternly.

Liam chuckles and turns to walk away, but fakes out, whipping back around and tackling Wade. The men roll around in the dust, grunting trying to gain the upper hand. After a moment, Liam emerges on top and pummels down on Wade. Each strike to his ribs feels like a ton of steel ramming me in my chest. I can feel the bruises forming on me as Wade's eyes flash in worry and he turns to look at me with sad eyes.

-Focus. Liam has his left leg positioned wrong. Use it-

Wade shifts under Liam and grabs hold of his leg, flipping him over and rolling on top. He lands a few blows before Liam throws him with his legs over his head. Wade rolls out of it and lands with one knee up and rises. He shifts into his massive wolfs and growls. "Finally, a real fvcking fight." Liam shifts into his wolf and prepares for an attack.

Wade leaps towards Liam, who jumps to the side. They circle each other, looking for an opening, both lunging and missing. Liam takes the upper hand by leaping on Wade. Liam claws at him as Wade twists and gets his teeth in Liam's hind leg, tossing him to the side. I can feel the claws marks slicing through my skin as they transfer. Blood soaks my tank top and drips down the back of my tactical vest.

Wade tosses me a worried look, and I nod at him. The wounds hurt like hell, but they aren't terribly deep. Liam is at least pulling his punches and swipes. Liam takes advantage of Wade's glance and tackles him to the ground. They bite and claw at each other angrily never causing severe damage. Until Liam forces Wade onto his hind legs and then tosses the full weight of his enormous body onto it.

A pop erupts, followed by another, and it knocks the wind out of me. Pain floods through my thigh as I get the full weight of his fresh injury. Turning to the side, I vomit as I see the strange bump in my !. I hear nothing, see nothing as I sweat feverishly. I try to separate myself from the pain, to breathe through it, but who am I kidding.

As a kid, I heard that breaking your femur is the most painful thing that can happen, more painful than giving birth. Now, clearly, I have never given birth. But I have been severely injured and on the brink of death. Nothing comes close to touching this pain. "You ok?" the warrior standing next to me ask.

I spit the bile out of my mouth and nod. I glance over and she notices my legs, her eyes bulging.

"Woah sh!t!" She screeches. "How the hell did that happen?"

Within a moment Wade is next to me, sliding his arm around my back and providing me with support. I breathe in deeply, doing my best to ease the pain.

"What the hell is wrong with her?" Liam asks. Looking concerned.

"I told you I had new moves," I say, trying to sound humorous.

"What the hell does that mean?"

Wade leans down to pick me up, and I put my hand on his chest.

"No, no, just help me walk," I say firmly.

"Ali, your leg is broken." Wade scoffs.

"Will someone explain what the fvck is going on? How the hell did you break your leg standing there?"

"It's the Guardian bond," Wade says, annoyed. "You injure me, she gets the wound."

"What?!" Liam sounds irate. "Why the fvck wouldn't you tell me that?"

"I assumed you knew, you know since you were her first."

I offer Liam the only smile I could muster.

"Like I said, new tricks," I say.

"Let me at least take you to the healer," Liam says, stepping forward.

"I've got it. Please continue to train." Wade says.

"I'm coming over for dinner to talk to you," Liam says, stepping into me and reaching out to touch my face. Wade leans down and scoops me up.

"If she is up for visitors, I'll send Kane to fetch you so you can have dinner with us."

-Don't fight me on this. I am carrying you and that's final, plus the look on Liam's face when you're in my arms is worth you scolding me later- Wade links me. From fierce guardian to tug-of-war toy between two alphas, my how the mighty has fallen.