[IRIS POV]
I swallowed as I found myself staring right into his eyes. Instead of the disdain or anger that normally colored our interactions, Caius's eyes were filled with amusement.
"Careful," he said laughingly as he looked down at me. I felt his breath brush my cheeks, as tenderly as a lover's playful touch. "Remember to keep your balance, or your opponent can beat you easily by knocking you down."
My cheeks warmed as I felt the heat of his muscled body pressed against my own. Immediately, I shoved Caius aside and pulled away, trying to maintain some distance between us.
'Why did you push him away?' My wolf lamented. 'He clearly wanted to hold us!'
I ignored her, trying to calm my racing heart. It wasn't the increased skin contact that caused it to flutter madly― if Caius had been his usual antagonistic self, I would feel nothing but anger and irritation if he was pressed against me, breathing my air.
