For days, Aria kept her distance.
She focused on the healer's hut, learning herbs with the pack's grumpy medic. She learned the layout of the territory, ignored the stares, and stayed out of Kael's way — mostly.
But the problem with staying away from someone whose soul is tied to yours… is that every part of you aches when they're near, and burns when they're not.
She could feel him — always.
Kael was everywhere. In the air. In her dreams. In the pull of her chest whenever he stepped into the room. And the worst part? He felt it too.
---
That evening, everything changed.
Aria was in the woods, collecting rare nightshade berries under the stars, when a rustle to her left made her freeze.
She expected an animal.
What she got… was a wolf.
Large. Midnight black. Piercing silver eyes.
Kael.
He didn't shift. He didn't need to.
He stepped closer, each step measured, slow, powerful.
"You shouldn't be alone in the forest," he growled, voice human now. His body shifted mid-step, clothes forming along his skin like a second breath.
Aria didn't back down. "It's pack territory. I thought I belonged here."
"You do — for now. But there are rogues beyond the river. I smelled them earlier."
"I can handle myself."
"You can't," he said firmly. "Not yet."
"Then teach me."
Kael blinked.
"I want to learn," she continued. "To defend myself. If I'm going to be here, I won't be weak."
A long silence stretched between them.
Then Kael nodded once. "Fine. We start now."
---
What followed was not training — it was war.
Kael didn't go easy. He moved fast, struck hard, pushed her limits. Aria's body ached. Her breathing turned ragged. Sweat coated her skin, but still, she pushed back.
When he lunged, she ducked. When he grabbed her wrist, she twisted. And when she fell to the ground for the third time, she didn't cry — she growled.
"Again," she spat, standing.
Kael's eyes burned. "You're either brave or stupid."
"Maybe both."
He lunged again — but this time, she surprised him. She dodged. He stumbled forward, and before she knew it, she was on top of him, straddling his waist, her hands on his chest.
Their breathing froze.
She stared down at him. He looked up at her.
Their chests rose and fell in unison.
And then it happened.
The bond snapped into place like a chain — but it didn't choke this time. It sang. A low hum deep in their bones. The air shimmered around them, thick with tension, heat, and something unspoken.
Kael's hand reached up — not rough, but slow. His thumb brushed her cheek, his silver eyes suddenly vulnerable.
"Why do you feel like fire and peace at the same time?" he whispered.
"I don't know," she replied. "But I feel it too."
His gaze dropped to her lips.
And then he kissed her.
It wasn't gentle. It was desperate, angry, possessive. The kiss of a man who had tried to bury his need and failed miserably.
Aria kissed him back.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, her heart pounding, her soul catching fire. She had never wanted anything more in her life.
But as fast as it started, it ended.
Kael pulled away — breathless, conflicted.
"This is dangerous," he said. "You're dangerous."
Aria stood, shaken but steady. "Then stop pretending you don't want it."
She turned and walked into the trees, leaving him breathless and alone.
Again.
But this time…
He was the one burning.