Stormborn to the Alpha

Chapter 26 - Falling

*Raiden’s – pov*

Watching Elara fight was becoming dangerous for my self-control.

The early morning mist still clung low over Rosewood while dew soaked through the grass beneath our feet. My pulse had finally settled after my own brutal training session—

Then I walked outside and found her sparring with Jake.

Now I was fighting the urge to throw every male on the property into the forest simply because they were looking at her.

Aeron was becoming unbearable.

Elara rolled her shoulders while glaring at Jake after another sarcastic comment from him.

Black leggings hugged powerful toned legs while her tank top clung slightly from sweat and exertion.

She looked alive and far too distracting.

Jake finally escaped after informing me she was “secretly terrifying,” leaving the two of us alone in the training area.

That should’ve calmed Aeron a little that Jake wasn’t watching anymore.

It did not.

Adira stirred immediately beneath the bond.

They want to play with us.

I barely had time to process the emotion before Elara attacked.

No warning or hesitation.

One second she stood in front of me.

The next she lunged.

I caught her wrist automatically while sidestepping.

A mistake.

Elara twisted fluidly beneath my grip and drove her shoulder straight into my chest.

I laughed despite myself.

“Whoa.”

Her blue eyes flashed.

“You looked too distracting.”

I could see Adira and the humour in her blue eyes.

Knock mate down.

“You are both violent.”

Elara came at me again.

Fast.

Goddess she was fast.

Her movements blended trained precision with instinctive wolf aggression in a way I’d never seen before.

She was beautiful, deadly, and all mine.

I blocked a kick and grabbed her waist before lifting her clear off the ground.

Elara laughed breathlessly while twisting hard enough to break free again.

“Show off,” she muttered.

“You started.”

She attacked again immediately.

Adira clearly added strength.

Each movement sharpened slightly beyond human capability.

Her reflexes improved with each movement.

Pride surged unexpectedly through me watching her.

My wolf sounded deeply satisfied.

Elara managed to catch me across the ribs with a sharp elbow before I finally grabbed both her wrists and spun her against me.

She glared up at me breathlessly.

“You’re distracted.”

“By what?”

I lowered my voice slightly.

“You.”

Heat flashed across her face instantly.

Victory.

Unfortunately she recovered quickly and drove her knee toward my stomach.

I caught it easily.

Then finally overpowered her completely.

Elara hit the mat with a startled laugh while I pinned her beneath me.

One hand trapped both her wrists above her head.

My knee pressed carefully between hers to stop her twisting free.

Her breathing quickened beneath me and I could smell her arousal.

Like the forest after rain and wildflowers.

Sweat dampened loose strands of pale hair near her face while her chest rose sharply beneath me.

My control frayed instantly.

“Elara…”

Her eyes darkened slightly.

Not from fear, but desire.

That nearly destroyed what remained of my restraint.

Then suddenly—

She moved.

Fast.

Her legs swept upward around my shoulders with impossible speed before she twisted hard.

The world flipped.

I hit the mat hard enough to knock air from my lungs.

“What the—”

Elara straddled me before I could recover.

Her knees pinned my arms tightly to my sides.

Strong.

Far stronger than she should’ve been already.

Adira pulsed triumphantly through the bond.

I barked out a shocked laugh.

“You cheated.”

Elara looked deeply pleased with herself.

“You shouldn’t be so distracted”

I could throw her off easily if I actually used full Alpha strength.

But honestly?

I didn’t want to.

Not with her sitting on top of me looking flushed and victorious.

Her hair had partially fallen loose from her braid.

Blue eyes bright.

Breathing uneven.

Dangerously beautiful.

My wolf surged hard beneath my skin.

Elara felt it too.

I saw the exact second attraction overtook playful victory.

Her expression softened slightly while her gaze dropped to my mouth.

The bond pulled sharply between us.

Hot.

Hungry.

Neither of us moved.

Then slowly—

Elara leaned down and claimed my lips with hers.

Everything inside me snapped tight instantly.

The kiss hit like fire.

Warm mouth.

Soft lips.

Wild instinct.

I groaned against her mouth before my hands finally broke free and gripped her waist hard enough to pull her closer.

Elara made a soft sound against my lips that nearly ended me.

My wolf surged violently beneath my skin.

Mine.

The word thundered through me with terrifying force.

I rolled us suddenly before instinct fully took over.

Now Elara lay beneath me again.

Breathing hard.

Flushed.

Looking up at me like she felt this too.

I braced both arms beside her head instead of touching her again.

Because if I did—

I wasn’t entirely sure I’d stop out here in the open.

“Elara,” I said roughly, “you keep kissing me like that and I’m going to forget every honorable intention I have.”