The morning light crept through the wide windows, golden rays pooling softly on the floor of Rin's room. He stirred slightly, eyes fluttering open to find Kael still beside him — his presence warm and grounding. The faint ache in Rin's neck reminded him of what happened the night before. Kael had given him the temporary mark again, as Eric instructed. It didn't hurt much this time; the sensation was almost comforting, like a steady pulse that calmed the wild rhythm of his pheromones.
Kael stirred next to him, opening his eyes. For a brief moment, they just looked at each other — no words, no awkwardness, just the quiet air of understanding that had formed between them.
"Morning," Kael murmured, voice low and rough from sleep.
Rin nodded, sitting up. "Morning."
They dressed in silence, the kind that wasn't heavy, but strangely peaceful. By the time they left the room, the entire house was already awake. When they entered the meeting room, the atmosphere was sharp and focused.
The Crimson Vultures and Wolf Marks filled the large space, sitting around a broad, polished table with maps and digital screens spread across it.
Kael leaned forward, his tone commanding. "We'll circle the shipment from three sides. The first team will approach the main port gate, the second from the waterline, and the third team will block all exit routes. Our main target is to seize the drugs and capture at least a few of their men alive."
Rin's voice followed, calm but cold. "We'll need them for interrogation. Make sure no one dies before we get what we need."
Everyone nodded. Orders were clear. But before the raid, Kael had something else in mind.
"Before that," he said, rising from his chair, "let's test how well we can work together."
That earned a few curious looks from both sides.
"Training ground. Ten minutes."
The Wolf Mark training ground was buzzing with energy when they arrived. The smell of gun oil, dust, and faint sweat filled the open space. Large sparring mats were laid out in the center, surrounded by racks of weapons and sandbags.
"Let's have a friendly spar," Kael said with a faint smirk. "Wolf Marks versus Crimson Vultures."
That sentence alone sent ripples through the gathered crowd. It wasn't hostility — it was anticipation.
Rin crossed his arms, watching quietly as his members got ready.
Lucas faced Jax first. Both men rolled their shoulders, testing their grips. "Rule's simple," Kael announced. "If your back touch the ground you're out."
Everyone cheered lightly. Jax cracked his neck, while Lucas gave a small, sharp grin.
"Don't hold back," Jax warned, crouching slightly.
Lucas didn't respond — he simply moved.
Their fight started like lightning — Jax swung first, fast and heavy, his movements built for strength. Lucas sidestepped, precise and fluid, using Jax's weight against him. A clean block, a swift twist of the arm — Jax nearly stumbled but regained balance and charged again.
"Come on, Jax!" someone from Wolf Mark shouted. "You'll lose to that pretty boy!"
Lucas's eyes glinted, and he swept his leg low. Jax jumped over, countering with an elbow that grazed Lucas's shoulder. The two exchanged blows — sharp, quick, calculated. When Lucas managed to flip behind Jax and tap his back, the crowd gasped — but Jax, using pure instinct, twisted his torso and slapped Lucas's shoulder the same second.
"Draw!" Kael announced, lips curling in amusement.
Applause echoed across the yard.
Next came Ari versus Talon. Ari adjusted his gloves, smirking. "Try not to break anything," he teased.
Talon laughed, rolling his neck. "You talk too much, kid."
The fight was fast — Talon was brute force, Ari was technique and speed. Ari dodged the first swing, almost too easily, his movements smooth like water. But Talon was unpredictable; he faked a left and landed a tap on Ari's arm, forcing him to backstep. Ari smirked, ducked low, and struck back — but Talon grabbed his wrist mid-motion and spun him around, landing a clean touch on Ari's back.
"Winner — Talon," Kael announced.
"Damn it!" Ari cursed, pouting.
The crowd laughed.
Next up, Kanji versus Kade. The two men circled each other silently, eyes locked. Kanji moved first, fast and low, but Kade blocked with a forearm and countered with a knee. Kanji took the hit, twisted, and swept Kade's leg in one move. Kade fell hard, but rolled away quickly.
"Not bad," someone muttered from the Wolf Marks' side.
Kanji smirked faintly, dashed in, and tapped Kade's back before he could stand fully.
"Winner — Kanji!"
Applause broke out again, louder this time.
Then came Suri versus Rowan.
The next few seconds were a blur. Rowan swung, Suri vanished from his line of sight, and before anyone could blink, Rowan froze as Suri's hand tapped his back.
The crowd fell silent — then erupted in cheers.
"What the hell—" Rowan laughed in disbelief. "I didn't even see you move!"
"He's fast," Nico commented from the sidelines, impressed.
Even Kael smiled faintly, watching the synergy between the Crimson Vultures.
But then, he turned toward Rin. "Your team's good," he said. "But let's see how you are."
The words made everyone look up.
Rin raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Are you challenging me, Kael?"
Kael's tone was calm but firm. "Think you can handle it?"
Rin stood, his usual composed air laced with quiet confidence. "Let's find out."
A murmur rippled through the watching crowd.
"Wait, is he serious?" one of the Wolf Marks whispered.
"He's going to fight Kael?" another said in disbelief.
Jax leaned toward the Crimson Vultures. "You're letting your boss fight him? He's an alpha!"
Lucas smirked. "Don't underestimate Rin. He didn't become leader because of his face."
Ari folded his arms, grinning. "Our leader could beat your boss any day."
Talon snorted. "Keep dreaming, kid."
Ari's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Let's bet on it then."
"How much?" Talon asked, clearly amused.
"Ten thousand," Ari said with confidence.
Suri, who rarely spoke, added, "Twenty thousand on Rin."
Lucas, Kanji, Tobi — all of them joined in, placing their bets on Rin.
The Wolf Marks laughed and put their money on Kael — except Milo, who crossed her arms. "I'm not betting. I like living."
Both leaders stepped into the ring. The air shifted — quiet, tense, electric.
Rin took his stance, eyes locked on Kael. Kael's expression was unreadable, calm as ever.
They moved.
Rin struck first — sharp, precise — Kael blocked easily. He countered with a sweep of his leg, forcing Rin to jump back. The crowd leaned forward, murmurs rising.
Kael's punches were heavier, deliberate. Rin avoided most of them with smooth footwork, his movements almost graceful. But one hit caught his side, forcing him back a step.
"Boss has him!" someone shouted.
Rin exhaled, adjusting his stance. He dashed forward again, feinting right, then spinning left. Kael caught his wrist mid-movement, pulling him close — but Rin twisted out of his grip, his hand brushing Kael's shoulder.
They were both fast — almost too fast for the eye to follow.
Then Kael had Rin cornered, one hand braced on his shoulder. The crowd gasped.
Talon laughed. "Told you so!"
But before anyone could blink, Rin shifted his weight, dropped low, and swept Kael's leg cleanly from under him. Kael stumbled, and Rin moved — tapping his back lightly with two fingers before stepping away.
"Touch," Rin said calmly.
The yard went dead silent.
Kael blinked, still sitting on the ground, processing what just happened.
Rin offered him a hand. "Good fight."
Kael looked at his hand for a second, then smirked faintly and took it. "Not bad."
The crowd erupted.
"The boss lost?!"
"No way!"
"Holy hell—he actually beat him!"
Ari was grinning ear to ear, turning toward Talon and Jax. "Told you so! Pay up!"
Talon groaned, pulling out his wallet. "I hate you, kid."
Ari laughed triumphantly, collecting his winnings.
Rin just ruffled Ari's hair as he passed by. "Stop gambling on my fights."
Ari grinned. "But it's so profitable!"
Rin sighed, shaking his head. "I'm going to shower."
He turned toward Kael, who was still watching him with a faint, unreadable smile.
The fight was over — but the tension, the spark between them, was anything but.