Eli thought he'd shaken Kael off, but the moment he stepped into the clearing, he froze. Kael was there, tall and imposing, arms crossed, eyes glinting with that golden intensity that made Eli's chest ache in ways he didn't want to admit.
"Going somewhere, little wolf?" Kael's voice was low, smooth, teasing. "You look like you've been avoiding me."
Eli's tail twitched, muscles coiling. "I'm not your plaything," he snapped, keeping his distance. "I told you that before."
Kael smirked and took a deliberate step closer, the forest air between them suddenly thick and warm. "I like it when you fight me," he said, letting a finger lightly trace Eli's forearm. The touch was electric, sending a jolt through Eli that made his skin crawl and burn all at once.
Eli stiffened, yanking his arm back. "Don't… don't you dare," he hissed, shoving against Kael's broad chest.
Kael chuckled low and leaned in, letting his lips hover dangerously near Eli's ear. "Oh, I dare," he whispered. His hand trailed along Eli's jaw, brushing down his neck, teasing the sensitive skin there. "You're so small… so fiery… and yet, you're shaking. Do you feel that?"
Eli hissed and shoved again, harder this time, claws scraping against Kael's chest. "I said back off! I'm not yours!"
Kael's hands moved to trap him gently against the tree, heat radiating through his body, every inch of him pressing in. "I don't want obedient," he murmured, teeth grazing the shell of Eli's ear. "I want defiance. I want… you resisting me."
Eli's heart hammered. His body burned, muscles taut, adrenaline and something else making him tremble. "I—" He tried to push, twisting, shoving but Kael's grip was strong, his proximity suffocating and intoxicating.
"You're mine the moment I decide," Kael said, letting a thumb trail lightly along Eli's waist, teasing, testing, sending sparks through him. "But I'll make you want me first."
Eli's breaths came faster, ragged and hot, but he wasn't about to give in. With a growl, he slammed his shoulder into Kael's chest and twisted sharply, using his small size to slip past Kael's hold. His claws raked lightly over Kael's arm as he twisted free, landing a shove that staggered the taller wolf just enough.
Eli stumbled back, chest heaving, tail lashing. "I said I'm not yours!" His voice was fierce, dangerous, and unafraid.
Kael's grin widened, amber eyes dark with lust and amusement. "Impressive," he murmured, stepping back slightly, clearly pleased that Eli had resisted. "You're fiery. I like that. I want more… next time."
Eli's body trembled, flushed and alive with the heat of their encounter, but he held his ground, glaring fiercely. "There won't be a next time," he snapped, though the pull in his chest betrayed him, betraying the thrill he refused to admit.
Eli didn't wait a second longer. With a sharp push off the tree, he launched himself into a sprint, legs pumping like coiled springs. The forest blurred around him, every step precise, calculated—he knew every root, every hidden dip in the ground. Kael lunged after him, but the gap widened almost instantly.
"Wait!" Kael growled, breaking into a run, long strides eating the ground, but even his size and strength weren't enough. Eli darted between trees, twisting sharply, jumping over fallen logs and low branches, weaving through the underbrush with the kind of agility that left Kael momentarily staggered.
Eli glanced over his shoulder, a sly glint in his blue eyes. "You're slow," he called, panting lightly but still moving effortlessly. "You're too heavy to keep up!"
Kael's jaw clenched, amber eyes flashing with both irritation and something darker, more intrigued. He pushed harder, straining, but every shortcut Eli took, every sudden turn, widened the distance between them.
Eli grinned despite his racing heart, ducking under a thick branch and rolling through a patch of soft moss. When he emerged, Kael was still some meters behind, breathing heavily, frustration etched into every line of his face.
"You're unbelievable," Kael muttered under his breath, a mix of exasperation and admiration. "How… how are you so fast?"
Eli allowed himself a small, victorious smirk before vanishing deeper into the trees. He didn't look back this time, he didn't need to. Kael could watch if he wanted, but he knew he'd never catch him. Not today. Not like this.
The forest swallowed Eli up, his white hair like a ghostly streak among the shadows, leaving Kael standing alone, chest heaving, a flush of frustration and desire burning across his features. For the first time, he realized just how much trouble this tiny, defiant wolf could be.