Chapter 12: Fire Beneath the Skin
448 Words
It started with a punch.
Kind of.
Kade had offered to train with her — gently, carefully, like he was offering a hand instead of a demand.
She said yes.
He smiled like he hadn’t been hoping she would.
Now they were standing in a clearing behind the cabin, feet dug into dirt, sweat already glistening on their skin.
And she was so ready to hit him.
Not out of anger.
Out of something far more dangerous.
⸻
“You’re hesitating,” he said, circling her.
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
His tone was infuriatingly calm.
“You’re smug,” she muttered, fists clenched.
“You’re distracted.”
“By what?”
He smirked. “Me.”
She launched herself at him with a growl.
He blocked her hit, twisted behind her, and grabbed her wrist.
“Gotcha,” he murmured.
Elara dropped and twisted under his arm, kicking his legs out. He stumbled.
“Not quite,” she said, breathless.
They circled again.
Sweat dripped down her spine. Her shirt clung to her skin. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes had started to glow—just faintly.
“You’re holding back,” she said.
He arched a brow. “Because if I go full speed, I’m going to end up with you pinned under me.”
She blinked. “And that’s a problem?”
Kade froze.
They stared at each other.
Seconds stretched.
Then—
He charged.
She dodged, barely, laughing as adrenaline surged. She was alive. Fully alive. Her wolf was pacing, exhilarated.
He came at her again, faster this time. She countered.
But he caught her. Swept her legs out.
And the next thing she knew—she was on her back in the dirt, Kade over her, bracing himself with one hand on either side of her head.
His breathing was rough.
Hers was nonexistent.
“You win,” she whispered.
He didn’t move.
Didn’t blink.
“Do I?” he rasped.
His eyes dropped to her lips.
She felt her body arch, instinctive, her back brushing against his chest.
“Kade,” she whispered.
He didn’t kiss her.
He brushed his nose against her cheek, gently, reverently.
“You’re dangerous,” he whispered.
She barely breathed. “Why?”
“Because I’m running out of reasons not to devour you.”
⸻
They didn’t kiss.
But gods, they came close.
When he helped her up, his fingers lingered on her hip just a second too long.
And that night?
She didn’t sleep on the edge of the bed.
She slept next to him.
Not touching.
But close enough for the fire beneath the skin to burn hotter than ever.
- Writer
