The training field was silent when Selene arrived.
The moon hung full and silver in the sky, bathing the clearing in an eerie glow. The grass sparkled with dew. Shadows curled around the trees like sleeping beasts.
Kael was already there, standing in the center with his shirt discarded and a blade strapped across his back.
Selene raised a brow. "Didn't peg you for the dramatic type."
Kael turned, eyes glinting. "You don't know me well enough to peg me at all."
She smirked and stepped onto the field, loosening her limbs.
"Ground rules?" she asked.
"No claws. No blood. First to be pinned stays down."
"Fine," she said, tying her hair back. "But I won't hold back."
"I'm counting on it."
He lunged first — fast, almost faster than she expected. She twisted out of the way, dropped low, and swept at his legs.
He jumped, dodging with a smoothness that surprised her.
Selene was good. Trained, tested, honed by survival.
But Kael was something else.
Power radiated from him in waves. He moved like someone who had fought a hundred battles and didn't fear losing any.
They clashed again. Blades drawn now.
Steel met steel with a sharp ring.
Selene danced back, then in again, feinting left and catching him off guard with a jab to the ribs.
He grunted and retaliated with a spin that almost knocked her off her feet.
Almost.
But she smiled. He wasn't invincible.
They kept at it — a blur of movement, breath, metal, and grit. Neither held back.
Until Selene finally caught him with a kick to the chest that sent him stumbling.
She pounced, tackling him to the ground.
She straddled him, blade pressed to his throat, both of them breathing hard.
Kael stared up at her, chest rising and falling.
"You're holding back," she said.
He didn't deny it.
"I could've killed you," she added.
Kael's eyes never left hers. "I know."
She hesitated.
Too long.
In one move, he flipped her off him, landing on top this time. He wasn't holding the blade now — just her wrists, pinned above her head.
His face hovered inches from hers.
She could feel the heat of his skin, the rhythm of his breath.
"You're dangerous," he whispered.
Selene didn't move. "You like that."
His lips twitched. "I never said I didn't."
She could break the hold if she really wanted to. But something in her stayed still.
Curious. Challenged.
Kael leaned closer, eyes scanning her face.
Then he let go and stood.
Selene rolled onto her side and sat up, annoyed at herself for the flutter in her chest.
He offered a hand. She didn't take it.
"Don't expect me to lose next time," she said, brushing dirt from her clothes.
"I'm hoping you don't," he said.
She paused. "What is this, Kael?"
He looked at her, serious now. "A test. A warning. A beginning. Take your pick."
She narrowed her eyes. "You're not afraid of the White Wolf."
"No," he said. "I'm afraid of what happens if she's not alone."
Selene stilled. "You think there's more."
"I know there is. Attacks on the southern border. Disappearances. Whispers of wolves being recruited for something bigger than revenge."
"And you think I can help stop it."
He nodded. "If you want to."
Selene studied him.
This Alpha wasn't like the others she'd seen. He didn't bark orders and hide behind tradition. He watched. Calculated. Let people think they had a choice.
"You still don't trust me," she said.
"No," he agreed. "But I trust what I see."
"And what do you see?"
Kael's gaze locked onto hers.
"Someone who doesn't run. Even when she should."
A breeze passed between them.
Selene looked away first.
"I'll help," she said. "But if you use me, or lie to me…"
"I won't," he said simply.
And somehow, she believed him.
For now.