Taming His Alpha Female

Run!!

*George’s POV*

I haven’t been to a public gym in over a year. Until now, I made use of the private gym at the beach house. It was refreshing to be around people. I felt my mood lift as a result, taking in a deep breath for the first time today. Everyone was in their own zone, minding their own business. I had finished my warm up, jogged five miles at a medium intensity. It was just enough to raise my body temperature, elevate my heart rate, and dampen my skin. The weather was different here than at the beach. There was no sea breeze to cool you down. Here, if it’s hot, it’s hot, and there was no getting away from it. There were four fans blowing at high speed across the floor, cooling down the people working out on the circuit. I greeted each person as I passed them, winking playfully at a small shy girl who clutched her mother’s hand. I had settled into a corner, concentrating on working my back, shoulders and chest. The music was pumping over the sound system, hiking up everyone’s enthusiasm and encouraging them to hike up those heart rates. I missed this. It was one of those things. You never knew how much you missed until you find it again. I took my seat on the bench, discarding my shirt that had clung to me, and reached for the bar. Lat pull-downs were one of my favourites. I would alternate between the three machines that were parked next to each other, bench presses, pull-downs and rows. I was on my second set with my back turned to the rest of the circuit as I pulled down the maximum weight on the machine. Sweat ran in lines down the crevice of my spine when I felt my skin tingle with awareness... she was here. I could feel her presence. I couldn’t stop the slow smile from building as I held my breath in anticipation. The intensity of the electricity in the air increased, the skin on my neck and face flushed with heat.

“Are you following me now?” she said from behind me, her words clipped in irritation. It was easy to imagine her standing with her arms crossed and foot tapping restlessly. I didn’t turn, although I wanted to. I couldn’t wipe the stupid grin from my face. It was a rush hearing her voice, smelling the sweet citrus and vanilla scent rolling off her delicate skin.

“Technically sweetheart, I was here first, which would make you the follower and me the followed.” I stood, lowering the weights, doing my best to control my expression. It was going to be fun getting under her skin.

“What makes you think I would follow you?” she asked, brow raised and foot tapping impatiently. I knew nothing of this gorgeous girl before me, but I knew she was perfect, and stubborn as hell.

“Because I’m insanely hot and you can’t resist me,” I said with a chuckle.

“Wise ass.”

“Oh, you like my ass.” I winked at her, earning me an eye-roll. “Ah, the lady doesn’t deny it.” I smiled, leaning forward. My heart raced at being so close to her, my strong little wolf.

“I don’t see any ladies here,” she said in a huff. I couldn’t help but wonder why she would make such a remark.

“You’re right,” I said casually, walking past her as if it were easy. It wasn’t. “You are not a lady.” There was silence. It made me turn to look at her and for a moment I saw behind her mask. I saw a girl who felt pain, a pain I wanted to take away.

“No, you are not a lady... you are a goddess.” I corrected and ran my fingers over her cheek. She closed her eyes, softly, and then, out of nowhere, she pushed my hand away with force.

“Oh, my word! Cheesy much?” she snapped, looking directly into my eyes. She had the most beautiful green eyes. I swear I could get lost in them.

“Any flavour you like, baby,” I told her, smiling.

“Ugh... Spare me!” she said, rolling her eyes. “You can have this machine. I will take one of those.”

*Miranda’s POV*

I walked over to the treadmills, placing my water bottle in the cage next to the console. I thought I’d rather do my warm up here, instead of on the mat, next to him. I could smell him from here, fresh cut grass and gasoline, my two favourite scents. The gods were cruel, placing him in my path only to destroy me, which he could without a doubt. As youngsters, they trained us to keep an eye out for hidden threats, snakes, vampires, wolfsbane... never did they add the two biggest dangers to the list, your heart, and the man it belonged to.

Fuck.

I put the Bluetooth earpieces in and selected my workout playlist, starting with Benny Benassi – Satisfaction, making sure it was loud enough to drown out the world around me as I started the treadmill, keeping the pace at a comfortable jog. The song was a big mistake. It only served as a soundtrack to the irresistible show in front of me. He was doing pull-ups on the bar straight ahead, looking directly at me. Large bulging muscles flexing and dripping with sweat. I swear this man’s six-pack had a six-pack. Holy hell, this is torture, and he was enjoying it. It was clear when he blew me a kiss. f**k.

My fingers stabbed restlessly at the console as my heart fluttered and skin tingled. I needed to run until all I could think of was my burning lungs. I needed to suffer for my sins, and my sin was desire. Covetous desire for a man who could be mine if only I accepted him. I was a running at a pace that resembled that of an athlete nearing the finish-line, and then I pushed myself some more, until my muscles ached and my lungs battled to keep up. Chest out, shoulders back... run. Sweat ran down my face, stinging my eyes... but not enough to keep me from watching him do Glute Hyper Flexions. With every elevation his muscles contracted, his back chiselled to perfection as droplets of sweat ran down the gully created at his spine. His ass was tight and round. I dreamt of grabbing it. His lats were strong and highlighted his narrowing waist and broad shoulders. This man could easily put any statue to shame. He was the embodiment of perfection. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him, even when I thought he might catch me staring. I tried to focus on other things... the water dispenser in the far right corner, the advertisement posters hanging from the wall, hell... even trying to run with my eyes closed.

“Like what you see, babe,” he said, his lips curved into a smile. Yes, he was enjoying this.

“You’re... so... full... of... it...” I told him, still running… breathless.

“You have a little something... right there...” he said, gesturing to my mouth, insinuating that I had been drooling over him. I suppose it would’ve been possible if my mouth wasn’t so dry from running.

“I bet... you also... have a... little something.” my eyes darted below his waist. He burst out in laughter, the sound echoing to my core.

“Picturing me naked, are you?” he chuckled as he walked away and headed into the locker rooms.

I increased the volume, and the music drummed in my ears, urging me forward. Run! Keep pushing! Run! Get him out of your mind!

I adjusted the pace once more, taking me into a sprint. I was going to run until I couldn’t walk out of here. After five more minutes, I finally stopped, my legs aching, my lungs on fire and my heart about to burst out of my chest... but he was still very much on my mind as my eyes trailed to the locker room door.