Chapter 63
646 Words
Adriana wiped sweat from her forehead and lay on the grass, her chest heaving. The training ground smelled of sweat, the air heavy with summer heat. Joey tossed her a flask of water and sat down beside her, still grinning like she’d run a marathon without breaking a sweat.
“You lasted longer today,” Joey said, nudging her shoulder. “That kick you landed would’ve dropped anyone else. Except maybe me.”
Adriana groaned, gulping water. “You’re insufferable.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere,” Joey shot back with a wink.
Devon had been standing nearby, arms folded, watching the entire spar. His sharp eyes missed nothing, not even the way Adriana’s hands trembled as she lowered the flask. She felt his gaze on her, hot and heavy, and knew he’d noticed what Joey hadn’t the faint shimmer of heat that rippled off her skin every time her temper spiked.
“Good work,” Devon finally said, walking over. His hand rested on her shoulder, steadying her. “But you’re holding back.”
Her throat tightened. “If I stop holding back, I’ll hurt someone.”
Devon crouched, meeting her eyes. “Then hurt me.”
She blinked at him. “What?”. She was shocked by his words. Wasn't he scared?
“If you’re scared of losing control, you need to push until it happens. You can’t protect anyone if you don’t know the limits of your power.” His voice was low, coaxing. “And you know I won’t break.”
Joey stood and dusted her pants. “That’s my cue to leave before you two start making heart eyes. Don’t burn the Alpha alive, Addy.”
Adriana rolled her eyes as Joey walked off, but her nerves twisted tight. Devon was right every day it got worse. The heat inside her wasn’t just fire anymore, it was alive, pressing against her ribs, demanding to be unleashed.
When Devon guided her to stand, his fingers laced with hers. “Trust me.”
She nodded, forcing herself to breathe as he pushed her into another sparring session. He moved slow at first, giving her openings, making her react. The longer it went, the hotter her skin burned. Sweat slicked down her temples, her vision blurred with sparks.
Then, when he feinted toward her ribs, she snapped. Flames burst across her forearms, licking out in a flash so hot the grass beneath her feet charred black.
She gasped and stumbled back, horrified. “Devon”
But he didn’t even flinch. He stepped into the fire, caught her by the waist, and kissed her like she wasn’t a danger at all. The flames flickered, then dimmed under his touch.
“See?” he murmured against her lips. “You won’t burn me. You can’t.”
Her chest rose and fell against his. Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away. “I almost lost it.”
“You’ll learn control,” he promised, brushing her damp hair from her cheek. “But Addy…” His voice dropped, rougher now. “That power of yours it isn’t something to fear. It’s who you are.”
She wanted to believe him. She really did. But later, when the training ended and she walked back through the pack grounds, whispers followed her again.
“That wasn’t normal fire.”
“She’ll bring trouble on all of us.”
“She’s dangerous.”
Adriana clenched her jaw and kept walking, Devon’s words echoing in her head. But for the first time, she wasn’t sure if he was right or if her power really was something that would destroy them all.
And that night, as she lay beside him, warmth pressed against her back, the unease wouldn’t leave her. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw flames swallowing the pack whole. Flames that came from her.
- Writer
