novelraw Burn, Then Bite:
Burn, Then Bite:
[POV: Hayden]
More than a week had passed. Seven damn days since she began avoiding me.
And I kept telling myself it didn’t matter.
That it was better this way—safer. That her distance gave me back control. But with every step she took in the opposite direction, every glance that flicked past me without landing, something inside me coiled tighter.
So now it has transformed into a knot of pure irritation.
Because the more I tried to ignore what was growing between us, the more I began to realize that I didn’t want to ignore it anymore.
Tonight, I arrived at the training grounds late on purpose. I knew she’d be there—she’d been coming just after dusk, when the field was mostly empty, slipping in under the pale light of the moon like a shadow no one noticed.
Except I did. I always did.
As I stepped onto the edge of the field, her form came into view—fluid, focused. She was practicing alone, striking at invisible enemies with precise, fast blows. Her body moved with quiet power, her feet light against the ground, her breath measured.
She looked… incredible.
And the moment she noticed me, her shoulders tensed, her face hardened, and she turned—ready to leave. Again.
“Stop,” I said, voice sharp enough to freeze her mid-step.
She halted, back stiff, but didn’t turn around.
“I said stop,” I repeated, more firmly.
She slowly turned, eyes guarded. “Alpha.”
“What is this?” I narrowed my gaze, crossing the field toward her. “Why have you been avoiding me?”
Her jaw tightened. “I’m not avoiding you, Alpha.”
“You leave the moment I show up,” I said flatly. “You don’t speak to me. You won’t even look at me. That seems like avoidance.”
She lifted her chin slightly, voice calm but clearly forced.
“It’s nothing personal. You said not to come near you until I fixed my… scent. I’m simply following the order you gave me, Alpha.”
The words hit me harder than I expected.
I’d forgotten how cold I’d been. How harsh those words had sounded when they left my mouth, fueled by frustration and heat. A pang of guilt settled deep in my chest.
“Quit addressing me ‘Alpha’,” I muttered. “And that’s not what I meant,”
She gave a soft, disbelieving laugh and crossed her arms. “Sounded pretty like it to me.”
“I meant it as a warning.” I ran a hand through my hair, stepping closer. “You don’t realize how dangerous your scent is—especially if a group of wolves in heat catch it. You might not be able to fight them off.”
Her expression darkened. “Excuse me?”
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“Oh, is that what you’re doing?” she snapped, suddenly bristling. “Because it sounded more like you were telling me I smelled horrendous. Or that I was some kind of walking hazard. Or even some kind of illness that should be avoided.”
I raised a brow, both surprised and—if I was being honest—a little impressed. Her fire always came out when I least expected it.
“You still don’t understand what pheromones are, do you?” I asked.
“No, I don’t,” she shot back. “I didn’t grow up with someone who explained any of that to me. But what I do know is that I can handle myself. I’ve trained. I’ve fought. I won the tournament, remember? So yeah, I think I can take care of a few wolves.”
That spark in her eyes—it did something to me. She wasn’t the trembling girl I once met. She wasn’t begging for validation or cowering beneath anyone’s expectations.
She stood her ground. Challenged me. And Goddess help me, I loved it.
“Then show me,” I said smoothly.
She blinked. “What?”
“Show me what you’ve learned. Since our last spar.”
She hesitated, visibly biting back her uncertainty. “You’re really picking a fight with me right now?”
“I’m offering you a challenge,” I said, stepping back and raising my hands in a mock invitation. “Or are you too tired?”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m never too tired.”
“Then come at me.”
She did. And she was fast. The first strike came low, aimed for my side.
I deflected it, barely. Her next kick snapped toward my shoulder, and I stepped out of range just in time. She spun and twisted around me like shadow and flame, her movements faster, tighter, more precise than I remembered.
And I remembered everything.
She wasn’t the skinny, anxious girl from weeks ago. She’d filled out, muscle and grace molded into every limb. She was beautiful—not in the fragile way, but in the way that could ruin a man’s self-control.
Distracted by the flex of her legs, the pull of her shirt across her breasts, I didn’t react fast enough.
Her boot connected with my jaw. I stumbled back, surprised more than hurt.
“Not bad,” I muttered, rubbing the spot where she’d struck.
“You’re distracted,” she said, eyes gleaming with challenge.
She was right.
The next time she came at me, I moved fast. I dodged her next blow, caught her wrist, twisted her arm behind her back and shoved her gently—but firmly—face-down to the ground. I pressed my weight over her, holding her still, her chest heaving beneath me.
Her skin was warm beneath my grip. Her scent—goddess—intoxicating.
I leaned in, close to her ear. “Your speed has improved. Your balance too. But your left side is still exposed when you pivot.”
She growled under her breath and struggled. “Get off me.”
Her scent hit me again, stronger this time. Richer. My jaw clenched.
“Fuck, you really don’t smell that?” I asked, voice lower, rougher than I intended.
She twisted beneath me, furious now. “I don’t know what the hell you are talking about!”
I didn’t answer. Because I couldn’t think. I could only feel.
My face was inches from her neck. Her scent wrapped around me, invading my every breath. I wanted to bite her. Mark her. Claim her.
My fangs tingled with the need to sink into her skin. My fingers twitched against her back.
And then I forced myself to move.
I let her go, pushing off and standing fast, covering my nose with my elbow like a man escaping smoke.
“Figure it out on your own,” I snapped, turning away. “I’m not your teacher. And I don’t have time to explain what any halfway-trained wolf should already know.”
I didn’t look back. Because if I did, I might not leave.
And if I stayed… I wouldn't stop at words.