Against his better judgment, Zhao Xin followed Venus Lin Yue and found himself standing before a locker cubby in the training hall of the Kunming pack. A shimmering blue bodysuit, clearly made for someone half his size, hung mockingly before him.
Venus' aunt, Marie, a former elite aerialist from the north pack—had ordered this strange pack training ritual, claiming it would strengthen "bonding through rhythm." As she exited, her voice, clipped and cold, left no room for debate. "Wear it. Meet me in the inner hall."
Zhao Xin stared at the leotard with growing regret. Somewhere in his past life, he must have offended the Moon Goddess.
In the mirror of the men's side of the hall, he examined himself in the skintight outfit. It clung uncomfortably in places no sane designer should've tailored so snugly. His pride felt both on display and under attack. Werewolves didn't usually wear these things. Most wore ritual sashes or wolfhide armor when doing combat runs or pack synchronization training.
He was still adjusting when someone knocked. "Zhao Xin, stop hiding in there," barked Li Tao through the thick wooden door.
He inhaled, steeled himself, and walked into the open hall. There, on the center training mat, stood Venus, poised and regal in her own blue leotard that left little to the imagination. She looked like she'd rather be anywhere but here.
Her eyes widened when she saw him, and though she tried to hide it, she let out a small laugh. Her hand flew to her lips. "That outfit... wow."
Zhao Xin smirked. "Looks obscene, huh? Blame the tailor. Or do you want to keep staring and find out what happens next?"
She immediately crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly aware that her outfit wasn't much better.
"Clasp hands," Li Tao commanded.
Venus hesitated.
"Don't we train separately?" Zhao Xin asked. He'd seen pack training videos before—jumping in sync usually meant being on adjacent mats, not holding hands like lovers during moon ritual.
"To synchronize your energy," she replied flatly. "You must feel the rhythm of your partner's core. Only then can you move as one."
It sounded more like mating ritual prep than coordination training, but Zhao Xin was willing to play along. He extended his hands. Venus hesitated, then sighed and took them. Her hands were soft, but her grip was tense.
"Begin," ordered Li Tao.
They jumped together. Sort of. Venus lost her balance and nearly fell back, dragging Zhao Xin with her.
"Sorry," he muttered.
This wasn't what he'd envisioned when he challenged her to this. It was supposed to be a joke, a way to lighten the mood. Something to distract him from his father's overbearing presence as alpha. Something to forget that tonight marked the anniversary of his mother's disappearance during the last full moon run.
Venus stood again and offered her hands, reluctant but composed. "This is insane."
Zhao Xin gave a lazy grin. "Then feel my rhythm."
She rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
She tried pulling her hands away, but he held firm, continuing to bounce.
Li Tao watched them sternly. "Don't resist. Channel your bond. Imitate. Reflect. One rhythm. One mind."
Venus mumbled something about needing a better sports charm and how Zhao Xin could use a protective sash instead of letting his 'plumbing' distract everyone.
They practiced for nearly fifteen minutes before Li Tao declared they were ready for side-by-side jumps. Slowly, their bodies began to move in unison. Venus loosened up and even laughed a few times, and when they misstepped, they both lost balance giggling.
"When two wolves jump in sync," Li Tao finally said, "their energy becomes one. It is a dance of spirit. A prelude to deeper bonding. Like the ancient mating run."
Zhao Xin glanced at Venus. Their eyes met.
His thoughts drifted—wondering what it might be like to connect with her, not just through movement, but through soul and body. He imagined peeling back her fierce shell, finding the softness she hid from the pack.
He shook the thoughts away. She wasn't for him. She was pack healer material—made for duty, not wild-hearted sons of alphas.
After a photo was taken by Li Tao, they left, still wrapped in awkward silence. Zhao Xin drove to dinner.
Venus had changed into a simple sweatsuit. Still, he couldn't ignore how her scent lingered—clove and winter peach.
"Tonight was absurd," she finally muttered.
"You liked it," he replied.
She faced the window. "Take me home. I'm hungry."
He pulled into the parking lot of a place called Lanfen Hollow, a countryside inn near a lantern-lit river, known in Yunnan for its fire-grilled chicken and ancestral recipes.
"They say they raise their own chickens here. You're about to taste a meal raised under the same moon we trained under."
She looked skeptical. "I prefer my sister's reheated dumplings."
They waited over an hour. Inside the inn was an old museum, showcasing ancient relics from the early werewolf clans—wolfbone daggers, moonstone charms, and even one of the first packs' battle banners. Venus admired a centuries-old moonstone necklace.
Just then, a young male from another pack sauntered up to her. He was tall, all swagger, and too confident for someone from a rival group.
Zhao Xin quickly walked over, slinging an arm around her shoulder.
The guy backed off.
Venus shrugged off Zhao Xin's arm. "What was that for?"
"Claiming what's mine. You think rival wolves just walk up to females without intention?"
"Since when did I become yours?"
"Since you agreed to this non-date."
Inside, they were seated across from a group of teens wearing Lanfen Pack Warrior emblems.
Venus stared at her plate silently.
"You going to talk?" Zhao Xin asked.
"No."
"Good thing this isn't a real date then. You'd be boring as a council meeting."
The waitress came. She was stocky and kind, introduced herself as Aunt Jia. "Sides are limitless," she said with a grin. "And our corn buns are dangerous. Addictive."
Zhao Xin winked. "Good thing. Because my 'mate' here is legendary and addictive too."
Venus kicked him under the table. Aunt Jia, unsure if they were teasing or serious, left them alone.
"If this were a real date," Venus mumbled, "I'd have left halfway through."
"If it were a real date," Zhao Xin said, "we'd be kissing under moonlight behind this place."
She scowled. "Don't flatter yourself."
Venus was relieved the Lanfen warriors didn't recognize her. She'd once healed a rival fighter from that pack after a tournament where tempers had flared. A scuffle broke out after she scored the winning throw, and her presence in the medical tent had been controversial.
Zhao Xin waved his hand in front of her face. "Stop watching those males."
"I wasn't."
He narrowed his eyes. "You're drawn to warriors, aren't you?"
"They're rivals," she snapped. "I just don't want to be spotted."
"Then act like this is a date. Focus on your companion."
"This isn't a date."
"Humor me."
She bit her tongue. "What would Bai Lan say if she knew you were out with me?"
"Bai Lan?" He laughed. "She was just looking for a bite, not a bond."
Venus didn't want to know how far Zhao Xin had gone with Bai Lan. She detested males who played with hearts like leaves in the wind. And Zhao Xin was the alpha's reckless heir—more interested in thrills than responsibility.
So why did she enjoy these conversations? Why did she smirk when he teased her?
When Aunt Jia brought the corn buns, golden and steaming, Venus took a bite. It was divine—warm, crisp, with just the right hint of sweetness. She savored it, and for a brief moment, forgot everything.
Even Zhao Xin.