10 Dates with Mr. Alpha (MXM)

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine
The Fifth Date: Fangs and Fire

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Kiel stormed across the river clearing, fists clenched, heart pounding.

He knew where Ronan would be.

The training fields were mostly empty now—most wolves off doing patrols or errands. But Ronan always trained alone at dusk. Like a ritual. Like a way to outrun whatever haunted him.

Kiel didn't knock this time.

He found Ronan behind the pack hall, shirtless, sweat glistening on his chest, punching a sandbag strung up on a thick tree branch.

His muscles rippled with each blow. But Kiel didn't let it distract him.

"You ran," Kiel said sharply.

Ronan stilled.

Fists still in the air, he didn't turn around. "I left."

"Same fucking thing."

Silence.

Kiel took a step closer. "I woke up with your scent on my skin and your cum still inside me—and you were gone. Again."

Ronan dropped his fists.

"I didn't know how to stay," he said, voice quiet.

"You knew how to fuck me into the mattress and whisper that you wouldn't let go," Kiel shot back, anger laced with something more fragile. "So don't feed me that coward's excuse."

Ronan turned slowly.

His eyes were dark. Not with anger—but with guilt.

"I'm not good at this," he said. "I don't know how to be... real."

"Then fucking learn. Because I'm not your toy, Ronan."

Kiel's voice cracked.

"I'm your mate."

That word.

The air shifted.

Their wolves surged beneath their skin, restless and stirred.

"You think I don't feel it?" Kiel continued, stepping into Ronan's space now, their chests almost touching. "You think I don't ache when you're gone? You think this bond is just lust?"

Ronan's jaw tensed. "No."

"Then stop running."

"I can't," Ronan growled. "Because every time I'm near you, I want to break something. I want to fuck you until you scream. I want to bite you until you bleed."

Kiel met his eyes, unflinching. "Then do it."

Ronan snarled—and shifted.

Bones cracked. Muscles rippled. In seconds, where the man stood, a large wolf now towered—jet-black fur, silver streaks glowing faint in the twilight, eyes still full of rage and desire.

Kiel didn't hesitate.

He shifted too.

His wolf was leaner, ash-gray with streaks of white around the eyes—fierce, fast, dominant in his own way. As soon as he hit the ground, he launched.

They collided like storms crashing—fur flying, claws scraping across the forest floor. But it wasn't a fight to hurt. It was a fight to feel.

Kiel snapped his jaw around Ronan's throat and bit—not to kill, but to challenge.

Ronan growled, rolled them over, and pinned him, nipping the base of Kiel's neck, holding him there as dominance rippled through his body.

Kiel twisted, sank his teeth into Ronan's shoulder. The taste of blood filled his mouth. Ronan yelped, then snarled with something that sounded like lust more than pain.

It wasn't long before the biting turned to nuzzling.

Snouts pressed into fur. Heavy breathing. Licks along jaws and necks. Their wolves whined softly, rubbing against each other like they were trying to merge.

Until—

A third scent hit the air.

Kiel stilled.

A male omega from their class—Toby—was approaching the field from the north trail, scent fresh and warm, unguarded.

He must've seen the two wolves. He took another step toward them, raising a hand.

"Kiel?" he called out, uncertain. "You okay?"

Ronan lost it.

The black wolf snapped his head toward the boy, ears pinned back, fur bristling. A low growl vibrated from deep in his chest—possessive. Dangerous.

He took a step forward.

Kiel let out a sharp bark, stepping in front of him.

But it was too late.

Ronan's entire body was trembling with the instinct to protect. To claim. To eliminate.

He snarled at Toby, teeth bared, growl turning into a full-blown warning howl.

Toby froze. "Whoa—shit—okay, okay!" He backed away, palms up. "I didn't mean anything!"

Kiel placed himself firmly between them, his wolf nipping at Ronan's flank, urging him to stop. It took several long moments before the black wolf finally backed down, hackles still raised, eyes blazing.

Toby turned and ran.

And Kiel shifted back, panting, chest heaving, heart thudding with adrenaline.

Ronan shifted after him, still breathing hard.

Kiel didn't say anything.

He just stared at him.

"You were going to attack him," he whispered.

Ronan's face was unreadable. "He came too close."

"He said my name, Ronan. He wasn't a threat."

"He looked at you," Ronan growled. "And I couldn't stand it."

Kiel's voice dropped to a whisper. "You were ready to kill."

"I will kill anyone who tries to take you."

The silence was electric.

Kiel didn't back away. He stepped closer.

"You're already mine," he said, low and dangerous. "You don't need to prove it."

Ronan reached out, brushing Kiel's jaw with his knuckles. "Then let me claim you."

Kiel's eyes widened. "Right now?"

Ronan leaned in, lips grazing his ear. "Tonight. No more running. No more hiding. Just you, me... and the bond."

Kiel hesitated.

His heart screamed yes. But the last bit of fear, of pride, clawed at him.

"I'm scared," he admitted.

Ronan kissed the side of his neck.

"So am I."

"But I want you."

"I need you."

And just like that, the tension shattered again. Their lips crashed. Their bodies tangled. But this time—this time—it wouldn't end in a lonely bed.

This time, it would end with teeth sunk into skin and souls forever tied.

Because five dates in, and they were already in too deep to climb out.