I didn’t see how the exercises I’d seen Caelyn and the kids doing could lead to injury, but I obeyed anyway. I tried to recall the different stretches my soccer coach had taken us through in high school. Moving through as many as I could remember, I kept my eyes on Caelyn as she moved into some sort of lunge.

“Why don’t you try this one?” she asked, straightening.

“It’s one of the warriors,” Mia added. “I like them ‘cause they make me feel strong.”

“You are incredibly strong, Little Bit.” I glanced at Caelyn. “Tell me what I need to do.”

Caelyn helped position my body and showed me how to stand, but the second I got my feet in the right spots, I started to stumble. “Shit.”

“Ooooooohhhh. Bad word,” Mia called.

I winced, giving Caelyn a sheepish smile. “I’ll do dishes tonight.”

“Let’s see if you can master this pose before we talk punishments.”

“I’m trying,” I groused. “I think it’s because I’m so tall. My center of gravity is different than the average person’s.”

Caelyn tried showing me the position she wanted me to emulate again. “Balance is important. Especially when you’re doing all these crazy house improvement projects. You could fall off the scaffolding.”

I grunted. “I’m pretty sure I’m not twisting into these ridiculous positions on my scaffolding.”

Caelyn kept trying to bring me through all sorts of different poses. Ava and Mia gave up on their exercises and became an audience for mine. “That’s a five-point-five,” Mia chirped.

I sank to the grass, sweat dripping down my face. “Five-point-five? That was at least an eight.” Ava covered her mouth as she giggled. I turned my focus to her. “I thought I could at least count on you to have my back.”

She shrugged. “Will did try to warn you…”

I glared at Will. “You could’ve been a little sterner in your warning.” At this rate, I was going to need a week of ice baths.

Will chuckled. “But what fun would that be?”

“All right, Mr. Grumpypants. You’re released for the day. Just a little child’s pose before you go.”

Caelyn’s hands ghosted over my hips as she guided me into the position. I let out a groan. “I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive you for this.”

She bent, whispering in my ear. “Ready to admit yoga isn’t some sissy form of exercise?”

“I promise never to call it stretching again.”

Caelyn laughed and went to join her sisters on the grass. “Just hold that for at least sixty more seconds.”

“Fine—ow, shit! What the hell?” Claws dug into my back as a paw took a swipe at my ear.

“Don’t move, Griffin! It’s Luci,” Mia begged.

“Get this devil cat off me, please,” I gritted out. The beast was surely drawing blood.