Moonbound Fate

Chapter 6

feinted left, then struck hard to the right, aiming a fist at his ribs—but he caught my arm again, spun me around, and locked me into a hold that pressed my back flush against his chest.

Too close.

Way too close.

His breath was warm against my ear, shallow and uneven.

“You’re holding back,” Kellan growled, voice a low warning.

His body was all hard planes—like someone had carved him from stone and wrapped him in heat. I could feel every ripple of muscle against me, the tension humming beneath his skin, and—

Oh gods. I could feel everything.

The outline of him pressed against the curve of my lower back made my breath catch, my heart stutter.

“I’m not,” I whispered, trying to twist away—but his grip only tightened.

Lie. You are holding back, my wolf purred. Not from fear. From desire.

Kellan inhaled sharply, his nose brushing against the side of my throat, just barely—but it was enough to make my knees weaken.

“You smell like fire and moonlight,” he murmured, almost to himself. “And something ancient.”

That struck a chord deep inside me.

He knows. Or suspects.

I shoved back with all my strength, breaking his hold and landing in a crouch a few feet away.

He turned slowly, eyes glowing with that barely-leashed power. And something else. Hunger. Recognition.

I moved before he could—charging him this time.

He let me collide into him, grabbing me mid-lunge, and the momentum slammed us both to the ground. I landed on top, knees bracketing his waist, my palms pressed to his chest.

His heart pounded beneath my hands.

He stared up at me, lips parted, chest rising fast.

I froze.

So did he.

Neither of us moved.

The world narrowed to that one breathless moment.

Then his hands slid up to my waist—slow, reverent—and I felt his fingers curl just enough to hold me in place. His touch was fire, even through my clothes.

My thighs clenched around him, involuntarily.

His eyes darkened like storm clouds.

He is yours, my wolf said, utterly sure. And you are his. Even if neither of you are ready to admit it.

“You shouldn’t…” I whispered, but I didn’t finish the sentence.

Kellan’s gaze dipped to my lips.

“I know,” he said, voice ragged. “But I will.”

Then, just as suddenly, he let go.

No slow draw, no teasing retreat—he released me like he was tearing himself away from something forbidden. I scrambled back, heat flooding my skin, breath shaking.

He stood in one smooth motion, like he hadn’t just been seconds away from… completely crashing his lips onto mine and kissing me until I’m breathless with his hands roaming up my shirt to squeeze my breast and take me on the field right there.

His voice was clipped now, tightly leashed. “You’re strong. But reckless. You fight like someone with something to prove.”

I stood, chin high despite the tremble in my limbs. “Maybe I do.”

He nodded once, jaw tight, hands clenched at his sides.

Then he turned, walking away without another word, his broad shoulders tense and muscles rippling with every step.

I stood there in the silence he left behind, heart thundering, my wolf howling beneath my skin.

He will break every rule for you.

And I was starting to realize…

I might let him.