What He Wants

Fire in the vein

Kaitlyn

The hike down the mountain is quieter than the way up.

No one says much. Maybe it's the fatigue, or the adrenaline crashing. Maybe it's the dead rogues left behind. But even Reed, motor mouth of the century, only mutters a few sarcastic gripes.

I trail just behind Jax and Kael, every step a jolt to my sore ribs. I’d wrapped the claw marks with cloth torn from my undershirt when no one was looking. The cold numbs the pain. Sort of.

By the time we reach the Academy gates, the sky is tinged orange with the first sign of dusk. The courtyard is mostly empty, save for a few groups dragging themselves back from their own trials. Most look like they’ve been chewed up and spit out by the mountain.

We probably do too.

Captain Renna waits at the gates like a statue.

"Report," she barks.

"Five rogue wolves encountered. All neutralized," Jax says firmly. His voice never wavers. "No fatalities."

Her gaze sweeps over each of us, sharp and unreadable. She pauses briefly on me. My hoodie hides most of the blood, but I know she smells it. She says nothing.

"Get cleaned up. Medics are in the east wing. Be back in formation tomorrow at dawn."

We disperse, weary and wordless. I make for the dorm, the desire to collapse overwhelming.

Jax falls in step beside me.

"You should see the medic."

cause of course he noticed.

"I’m fine."

"You’re bleeding."

"Still fine."

He glances sideways. There’s a twitch in his jaw. Irritation? Concern? I can’t tell.

"Suit yourself."

Back in our room, I strip off the blood-stained uniform and take the fastest shower of my life. Every muscle protests, every bruise stings. My chest binding is damp and stiff, and I swap it out quickly while Jax isn’t around. My

ribs ache with every movement.

I observe my now tanned reflection in the mirror.

my muscles are firm and building. training here definitely helped a lot.

Something is definitely wrong with me,

This is all coming too natural to me—who has never fought a day in her life.

I feel my self changing every minute I spend here. My body is adjust too quickly....

like I'm supposed to be here.

what's happening to me?

By the time Jax returns, I’m already curled under my blanket on the top bunk, pretending to be asleep.

He doesn’t buy it.

"You fought well today."

I keep my eyes closed. My voice is hoarse. "Thanks."

A pause. Then, softer, almost like he didn’t mean to say it out loud.

"You scared me."

My heart skips. sweet baby moon goddess.

He climbs into his own bed. No more words. Just the quiet creak of the mattress and the rustle of his blanket.

And his scent. Always that damn scent.

My wolf stirs.

We lie in silence.

But the air is charged.

~~~~

Jax

Something’s off.

Kai’s good. Too good. The way he moved today—like a born fighter. Not flashy. Efficient. Like someone who’s fought for survival before. Someone who’s hiding more than just strength.

And then there’s the scent.

It’s faint. Confused. Masked by cold and blood and something else I can’t place. But every time I get close, something inside me reacts.

My wolf stirs.

Mate

I shut my eyes. No. That can’t be right. It doesn’t make sense.

Kai isn’t…

But what if?

Am I going crazy? Or…

Is it possible?

I’ve never looked at another guy like this. Not once. But with Kai, things are blurry. The way he moves. The way he talks. That laugh, like it shouldn’t belong to someone trying to hide.

And that connection.

Could I be…bi? I’ve never even considered it before. But right now, the idea doesn’t repulse me. It doesn’t scare me. Not as much as the thought of pushing him away does.

Whatever this is, whoever he is—my wolf has already decided.

Tomorrow, I’ll figure it out.

But I won’t run from it.

~~~~

Kaitlyn

The next day brings new bruises, harder drills, and an obstacle course designed by a sadist.

Jax barely talks to me.

Reed, on the other hand, won’t stop.

"You know, you might be the dark horse of this whole program," he says while we crawl under barbed wire. "Who knew the quiet guy had murder skills?"

"I didn’t murder anyone."

"Tell that to the rogue whose neck you snapped."

I groan and keep crawling.

After training, we get a rare hour of free time. Reed disappears to chase someone from Squad D. Kael goes to meditate or whatever silent types do. That leaves me in the training yard, stretching sore limbs and pretending not to notice Jax watching me from the bleachers.

He approaches after a while. Tosses me a water bottle.

"You sure you’re not military-raised?"

"Not even close."

He sits beside me on the grass, elbows on knees. For a moment, we just watch the clouds.

"So what were you before this?" he asks casually.

"Before Crescent?"

He nods.

"A mess."

He laughs. "Aren't we all."

I smirk. "Let me guess. You were the perfect golden boy alpha-in-training with too many expectations on your shoulders and a secret soft spot for strays."

His smile twists. "Pretty close."

"And now you’re here, hiding on a hill with a bunch of misfits."

He chuckles. "Sometimes I think the Moon Goddess has a really twisted sense of humor."

"If that’s true, she’s laughing her ass off watching me try to survive this place."

He gives me a sideways glance, almost thoughtful. "You're doing more than surviving. You're keeping up. Maybe even leading."

The compliment surprises me. I look down at the dirt, kicking at a small rock with my boot.

Aww shucks.

"Well, you said it yesterday. I’m full of surprises."

He doesn’t respond right away. Then, a touch more serious:

"You ever question what you want, Kai? Not just with training. But... who you are. Who you’re drawn to?"

My heart skips. "Sometimes. But it’s not easy."

"No," he says. "It’s not."

He leans back, looking up at the sky again. "I always thought I had it figured out. Who I was, what I liked. Girls, obviously. That was easy. Simple. Then.... some things happen, and now my head’s a mess." his eyes find me.

My mouth goes dry. "Jax..."

He holds up a hand, half-grinning. "Don’t freak out. its okay if you don't want to talk about this. topic. just… acknowledging the confusion." He looks nervous. like he's afraid of how I'd react.

"And how do you feel about it?"

He sighs. shrugs. "Weirdly okay. I mean, if liking y—" he clears his throat, "—or being drawn to that someone means I’m bi or whatever, fine. I don’t care about the label. I care about the person."

I blink, stunned.

He glances at me. "That weird you out?"

I shake my head. "No. I just... wasn’t expecting it."

He smirks. "You said you’re full of surprises. Maybe I am too."

We sit in silence again, the sky above slowly shifting to dusk.

My heart is pounding.

Because I realize the dangerous truth

I don’t just tolerate him.

I trust him.

And trust? That might be the most dangerous thing of all.