Fated in fire and silver

THE EDGE OF CONTROL

📖 CHAPTER 7 – THE EDGE OF CONTROL (PART 1)

The forest swallowed them whole.

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Jay Kael didn’t slow.

Didn’t speak.

Didn’t think.

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He moved on instinct alone—long, relentless strides cutting through the trees as if the world itself bent out of his way. Branches snapped beneath his boots, the ground barely steady under the force of him as he carried her deeper into the dark.

Away from the pack.

Away from eyes.

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Away from control.

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Claire’s breath came fast, uneven.

Her body shifted against his shoulder with each step, but the sharp rhythm in her chest wasn’t fear.

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It was him.

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The heat pouring off his skin.

The scent of smoke and something darker wrapping around her senses.

The way his hand held her—firm against her thigh, unyielding, like letting go had never been an option.

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Her fingers curled instinctively against his back.

And the moment her skin met his—

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He stopped.

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Completely still.

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The silence around them tightened.

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Slowly—

Deliberately—

He lowered her.

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But he didn’t release her.

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Her feet brushed the ground, barely finding balance before his hands were already on her—one gripping her waist, the other still anchored at her thigh, holding her exactly where he wanted her.

Close.

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Too close.

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Her chest pressed against his.

And the moment it did—

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They both inhaled.

Sharp.

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Heat surged through her instantly, spreading beneath her skin in a way that made her breath falter. Her hands pressed against his chest—not to push him away—

But to steady herself against the intensity of it.

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Everything felt too loud.

Too sharp.

Too much.

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“What… is happening to me?” she whispered, her voice barely holding.

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Jay Kael didn’t answer right away.

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Because every part of him was focused on holding the line.

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His jaw tightened, muscles coiled beneath his skin, his gaze locked onto her like if he looked away—even for a second—

He’d lose what little control remained.

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“You feel it,” he said finally, voice rough, edged with restraint.

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She nodded before she could stop herself.

“Yes.”

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His grip tightened slightly.

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“Good.”

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The word settled heavy between them.

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Her pulse jumped.

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Her mind told her to step back.

To break the contact.

To run from whatever this was—

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But her body—

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Leaned closer.

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Jay Kael’s eyes darkened instantly.

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“Careful,” he warned, his voice dropping lower, more dangerous.

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Her lips parted slightly, breath uneven.

“Why?”

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🔥 End Chapter 7