Chapter 33 – The Fox Steps In
(Maise's POV)
The first day with Chyron among us passed in a blur of glances and half-spoken words.
He walked at the edge of the group — not behind, not ahead — always at the distance of a decision. Luka's gaze followed him constantly, wary but quiet, while Nox's silence was the kind that came before storms.
I didn't try to fill it. I simply watched.
Chyron moved like the wind — too smooth to be trusted, too alive not to be. The others hunted with weight and purpose; he hunted with grace. And when he smiled, it wasn't softness — it was a secret he carried behind his teeth.
By the second afternoon, tension had woven itself through the pride like a taut bowstring.
We were crossing a dry ravine when the scent hit — sharp, cold, wrong.
Nox's head snapped up instantly. "Ferals."
I drew my blade, scanning the ridge. "How many?"
"Four," Luka answered, already shifting his stance. "Snake-blooded."
The word made the air colder. Cold-blooded ferals didn't stalk for territory — they stalked for females.
Chyron's ears twitched, eyes narrowing. "They're circling."
He was right. The brush to the right shuddered — once, twice — then the first of them appeared, scales glinting along his arms, tongue flicking between jagged teeth.
Nox moved first — a blur of golden muscle and fury — striking the lead feral hard enough to send him sprawling. Luka followed, fluid and sharp.
The third one slithered low toward me, too fast for comfort.
Before I could react, a flash of crimson swept past — Chyron.
He moved like a flame given form, tail snapping through the dust. His claws found the feral's throat before I even drew a full breath. The sound was brief, brutal, and final.
When it was over, the air stank of blood and dust.
Nox stood panting, one arm bleeding, but victorious. Luka wiped his blade clean, eyes flicking toward Chyron.
The fox released the feral's body and straightened slowly, golden eyes catching mine. "You have a talent for trouble, lioness."
I smiled despite the adrenaline in my veins. "And you have a talent for showing off."
"Just keeping your pride from becoming feral bait."
"Consider yourself part of it, then."
The words left my mouth before I fully thought them through, but I didn't take them back. Nox didn't object; Luka didn't either — though his jaw tightened.
Chyron tilted his head, eyes gleaming. "Part of it, hmm? Be careful, Maise. I bite."
I met his grin with one of my own. "Good. I don't need another tame male."
Nox snorted. "You have no idea what you're inviting, Maise."
"Maybe not," I said, watching the fox fall into step beside me as we started forward again, "but I'd rather face the wild beside those who remember what it feels like."
And as we moved through the fading light, I couldn't shake the strange, dangerous truth humming beneath my skin —
the fox had come from the shadows,
and somehow, my heart was already learning the shape of his fire.
-How are we liking the story so far? I would love feedback, and I am open to suggestions. Should I include more in-depth sexy scenes or do we like how the subtle flow is going?