Leah's heart pounded as she stood over Alric, her golden eyes locked onto his molten orange ones. His massive black form lay beneath her, his breathing even, his body relaxed—like he wasn't the least bit concerned that she had managed to pin him.
It pissed her off.
She wanted him to struggle. She wanted to win.
But no—he was letting her have this moment.
Her lips curled back in a snarl, ears flattening as she pressed her weight down, claws digging into the earth beside his ribs. Fight me.
Alric's gaze remained unreadable. I already have.
Leah's jaw clenched. No. You let me win.
Did I?
The calm arrogance in his voice made her blood boil.
She lunged at his throat—
But she never made it.
In one fluid motion, Alric twisted, his massive form surging upward. The world flipped before Leah even realized what had happened, and suddenly she was the one pinned again, her back pressing into the dirt, Alric's molten gaze looking down at her with dark amusement.
Her lungs burned. Damn it!
He hadn't even tried before.
She had never actually been in control.
Alric let out a low, approving growl. You are fast. Strong. But you fight like a pup.
Leah snapped her jaws, rage flaring. Then teach me!
Alric's eyes darkened. Do you truly wish for that?
Leah didn't hesitate. Yes.
Alric stepped back, releasing her. As soon as the weight lifted, Leah rolled onto her paws, her fur bristling, muscles still tense from frustration.
Then we begin now.
The night passed in a blur of movement, instincts, and pain.
Alric did not hold back.
For every step Leah took forward, he pushed her three steps back. For every attack she attempted, he countered with brutal efficiency. Every failure earned her another lesson—delivered with fangs, claws, and overwhelming force.
She hated it.
And she loved it.
She had never fought like this before. Never felt like this before. Every move became sharper, faster, more instinctive. Her body learned quicker than she expected, adjusting to the inhuman speed and power that now burned in her veins.
But no matter how much she improved, Alric remained untouchable.
He was beyond anything she had ever seen. He didn't just fight—he dominated. His movements were precise, lethal, like every motion had been burned into his body over centuries.
She was fighting a predator that had never known defeat.
And she refused to accept that.
Leah crouched low, her tail flicking as she circled him. She had lost count of how many times he had put her on the ground.
This time, she would not lose.
Alric watched her carefully, his expression unreadable. You are planning something, he said, amusement lacing his tone.
Leah didn't respond.
She lunged—fast, powerful. But it was a feint.
Alric shifted to block her—just as she anticipated.
At the last second, she twisted mid-air, her hind legs kicking off a tree trunk, redirecting her momentum.
She was behind him before he could fully turn.
For the first time—the first time—her fangs grazed his shoulder.
And then, once again, the world flipped.
Alric's massive form crashed into hers, pinning her into the dirt hard.
A sharp growl rumbled in his chest, his molten gaze burning into hers. But this time, it wasn't amusement she saw in them.
It was something deeper. Something darker.
You are learning.
Leah panted, her body trembling. But not from fear.
From something else.
Alric's face was inches from hers, his breath hot against her fur. His aura wrapped around her like fire—heavy, suffocating, intoxicating.
Something primal snapped between them.
The mate bond burned, thrumming in the space between their bodies.
Leah's breath hitched.
Alric did not move. Did not speak.
He simply watched.
Waiting.
Daring her.
Leah's body responded before her mind did.
She surged up—
And this time, he let her.
Their forms rolled, a blur of black fur and golden eyes as they fought for dominance, their instincts clashing, their bodies moving with a force that shook the forest floor.
Neither of them wanted to yield.
Neither of them could.
This was no longer training.
This was something else.
Something inevitable.
Something dangerous.
By the time they finally stopped, the forest was a mess of broken trees and scorched earth.
They stood panting, muscles burning, eyes locked.
Alric's smirk returned. Better.
Leah let out a low, exhausted growl. You still won.
Alric huffed, stepping closer. I have had centuries to perfect my strength.
Leah stiffened as his muzzle brushed hers, his molten gaze burning into her very soul. But you? You are still becoming. And when you do… His voice was a dark promise. Not even I will be able to stop you.
Leah swallowed hard.
She didn't know if that thrilled her…
Or terrified her.
They returned to their human forms as dawn painted the sky in soft hues of gold and blue.
Leah's body ached in ways she didn't know were possible. Bruises lined her skin, scratches burned along her arms, but despite everything—
She felt alive.
Alric sat beside her on a fallen tree, his silver hair gleaming in the morning light.
Leah exhaled heavily, running a hand through her tangled hair. "So… what now?"
Alric turned his head, studying her. "Now, you grow stronger."
Leah narrowed her eyes. "And the pack?"
A flicker of something dark crossed his face. "They will not understand."
Leah snorted. "No kidding."
Silence settled between them.
Then, Alric leaned in, his voice low.
"When the time comes, you will have a choice." His molten gaze locked onto hers. "Stay bound to them… or embrace what you truly are."
Leah swallowed. "And what am I?"
Alric's smirk was slow, dangerous.
"My mate."
Her pulse spiked.
But this time, she didn't argue.
She wasn't ready to accept it.
But she wasn't ready to deny it, either.