12. CONTROL

Third POV

“Come with me” Adrian walked through the woods. Hands in his pockets. Sarah follows suit, unsure of what was about to happen. She didn't know if she did the right thing in telling him or if she was just too foolish as Adrian said.

After walking a while. They reached the depth of the woods.

“Sit,” Adrian tells Sarah. Sarah sat down cross legged on the grass awaiting Adrian's next order.

“Your wolf is too violent. And far more stronger than you. If you want to control your wolf. Then you have to have the ability to do that” Adrian walked towards a tree, backing her. Pulling out his clothes. Sarah's eyes went wild immediately. Seeing how fit his body looked. It was just like it was sculptured perfectly. Even the tattoo drawn on his shoulder blade that moved down to his back, seems something ancient. And beautiful. Sarah knew wolves could not draw tattoos because of how their bodies were too strong and it resisted any external forces, and the only way to apply it was through harsh methods, one has to first burn down his or her skin before using something more sharper to drill the skin. Adrian went on in pulling his pants off, Sarah cheeks went pink as she immediately turned her face away. Too embarrassed to watch.

“Now you are going to undress now” this sounded as a shock to Sarah when she heard it. Her mouth opened wild, when she met Adrian's expression, avoiding looking down below_only the eyes.

“M- Me” Sarah pointed at herself to be sure she was hearing right.

“Yes you, now undress. And don't worry there's no one here right now” Adrian sees this as a normal thing. He casually leaned on the tree. Taking in her expression. For some reason he found it funny. His lip took a small smirk for a moment before it was gone in a heartbeat. Now the plan was simple. She can't control her wolf, all because it was too violent. Then what if he weakens the wolf to an extent that she can easily tame it? But the problem now is she might become weak, and she might not have the strength to do so. That means he was going to have to beat it to a pulp.

Sarah turned her back. Backing him. All her life she hasn't shown anyone her nakedness even her father didn't dare see that. Taking in a deep breath, she began to undress, and within what seemed like an eternity to Adrian. Sarah faced him, a hand covering her breast, while the other covering her secret garden. Her face flushes in embarrassment and another thing she felt ashamed to mention.

Adrian's eyes widened. His hands turned into fist. He could see his wolf fighting for control. It wants to mark her, to make her its. Adrian turned his back while shifting his lower body. Trying not to let Sarah get a look at it. His expression reverts back to normal. But one could see his eyes being deeper and darker than the user.

To be honest, he never thought he would feel this much for her. Wanting to claim her so badly that his vein threatens to burst. He could feel its vein wanting to burst, if he could not satisfy this urge.

“Turn to your wolf form” He said quietly. Sarah didn't understand him. Looking at him innocently. Her face saying she didn't quite get what he was saying__ “ Damn it! turn to your wolf form!” feeling irritated. Adrian wolf tore out from him as it pounced on Sarah. This made her wolf that was just suppressed to burst out instantly. The grey wolf was a lot smaller than Adrian's own. But for some reason it kicked Adrian's wolf.

The black big wolf (max) circled the grey wolf slowly, Its eyes preying on it like it would attack at any moment.The grey wolf stood its ground, eyeing the wolf waiting for any slip up. Suddenly in an instant max pounced on it. The grey wolf slipped past Max attacks. This continued happening. Max attacking but the grey wolf slipping off easily. No matter the pattern max uses, the grey wolf always escapes… at some point max began getting irritated. Its black fur suddenly glow brightly, its red eyes turned silver immediately. The grey wolf felt the space around it locking. For some reason its movement was limited. She could neither jump nor run. Only clutch on all four.

Max went all out immediately. This was the first time someone could make him use his skill while in his wolf form. He had always relied on pure strength. Fighting with the likes of Kate and her friends.

“You should feel proud that you made me use my skill” Max's deep voice rebounded. “ Submit now” Sarah wolf clutching stared deeply at Max, who is walking slowly but steadily. Max looked at the grey wolf, for a flicker of a moment. He thought of something, which made his eyes that were silver revert back to red. This made the space around the grey wolf to revert to normal.

Most wolves would have submitted under his skills. But this grey wolf didn't, it resisted. It meant one thing. She is in control.

“Interesting” Adrian's voice resounded through Max. The grey wolf must have thought that he wouldn't be able to beat him, so he gave control not complete control over to Sarah to hold the fort. And knowing Sarah nature, someone who wouldn't give up even when facing life and death situations. “Come on out” Adrian calls out, the grey wolf looking at Max with cautious, extremely cautious. But still refuses to yield. Seeing this Adrian came out reverting back to normal. His sculpture body is a sight to behold. He looked at the grey wolf that was still bent of four like a hunter eyeing its prey. “I won't repeat myself,” Adrian said. The grey wolf finally let go as Sarah came out.

She's on one knee, her hands shaking from the early impart.

“You did well there” Adrian's voice resounded, making Sarah look up. For a moment she was astounded, he looked so handsome. “stop staring like that” Adrian frowned, His heart racing he didn't like the idea of him going out of emotion. It was just a stare, but he didn't know why it looked like something to him.

“sorry_ I - I” Sarah tails off embarrassed. This made Adrian wonder if she was that one sharp tongue girl that stood her ground when he was bullying her the first time he saw her. But for some reason, he liked this part of her.

“Your wolf gave you control, but not entirely” Adrian went straight to the point.

“Yes, but why?” Sarah asked, feeling confused. At first her wolf rejected her. But now for some reason it gave her control, even though it was entirely but it was something.

“It was because of your character__” Adrian looked away. Sarah felt more confused “ You have this thing in you, to not give up. Like you still resist even though you are at a complete disadvantage. It never wants to lose to me, so it gives you control” Adrian faced her. “ So you must try to gain gain complete control”

“How?” Sarah asked

“Understand it, it has feelings too. You have been fighting it the wrong way, ever since. You never tried to understand your wolf. And that's where the problem lies. Sometimes you have to learn to trust your wolf.”

Sarah kept silent trying to digest what Adrian said. For a minute, she completely understood him. Ever since her sister left home. She has always been trying to prove herself to her father, trying to tame her wolf so early, to make her father see her in a new way. But I guess she was in a heist doing that.

“Shift back to your wolf form,” Adrian said. Sarah hesitates for a moment before shifting. A grey wolf tore through her. This time it looked at Adrian cautiously. Adrian looked at it as Max emerged from him. This made the grey wolf turn into a battle mode.

Max didn’t wait this time.

The moment the grey wolf settled into her stance, he moved. Faster than before.

But Sarah felt it. Not with her eyes—with something deeper. A sharp pull in her chest, like an instinct snapping into place.

Left.

She moved.

Max’s claws tore through the space she had just been, missing by inches. The force of it still sent a rush of wind past her fur, but she didn’t stumble.

She pivoted instead.

Clean and controlled.

Her body responded without hesitation now, every movement flowing into the next.

Max landed and turned immediately, silver eyes locking onto her again.

There was a pause. A very brief one. Then he attacked again. This time, it wasn’t just raw force. His movements shifted—less predictable, more precise. A feint to the right, followed by a low sweep aimed at her legs.

Sarah reacted—but not perfectly.

His paw clipped her.

She slid back, claws digging into the earth to stop herself.

Pain shot through her side. But she didn’t panic.

Instead, she adjusted her stance, lowering herself slightly, her breathing steady.

Max noticed.

Good.

He circled her again, slower now, studying.

“You’re thinking too much,” his voice echoed, low and sharp.

Sarah’s ears flicked.

Maybe.

But she wasn’t about to go back to blindly reacting.

Max lunged again—

And this time, she didn’t retreat.

She stepped in.

The moment their bodies clashed, she twisted sharply, using his forward momentum against him. Not strong enough to throw him—but enough to shift his balance.

Max’s claws scraped against the ground as he corrected himself mid-motion.

A flicker of surprise crossed his gaze.

She pressed it.

For the first time, Sarah attacked.

A quick strike—aimed not to overpower, but to disrupt. Her paw connected with his shoulder, forcing him to take a step back.

It wasn’t much.

But it was something.

Max stilled.

Then—

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest.

“There you are.”

His eyes gleamed again.

This time, when he moved, it was different.

No warning. No buildup. He vanished.

Sarah’s body tensed instantly.

Her senses flared—

Behind.

She spun—

Too slow.

Max reappeared at her flank, his strike landing solidly this time. The impact sent her tumbling across the ground, rolling before she managed to catch herself.

She pushed up quickly, shaking off the disorientation.

Her heart pounded.

But her mind stayed clear.

Don’t chase him. Feel him. Understand him.

She closed her eyes for a split second.

There—

That same pull again.

Sharp.

Immediate.

She moved just as Max appeared again, his claws slicing through empty air.

This time, she countered faster.

Her body twisted mid-step, her paw striking toward his side—but Max blocked it easily, their limbs colliding with a heavy thud.

They locked for a brief second.

Strength against control.

Sarah’s muscles strained—but she didn’t try to overpower him.

Instead—

She slipped.

Dropping low, twisting out of the clash and creating distance again.

Max landed smoothly, turning to face her once more.

Now his expression had changed.

No more amusement.

Now he was focused.

“You’re adapting,” he said.

Sarah didn’t respond.

Her eyes stayed locked on him, her breathing even.

The forest around them felt sharper now. Every movement, every sound feeding into her awareness.

Max took a step forward.

Then another.

“Good,” he added quietly.

Then the pressure came back.

Not as overwhelming as before—but heavier than anything she had felt since.

The air thickened.

The ground seemed to resist her movement.

Sarah’s muscles tightened.

Her instinct screamed at her to push harder—to break through it like before.

But she stopped herself.

Instead—

She steadied.

Her breathing slowed.

Her focus narrowed.

She didn’t fight the pressure.

She adjusted to it.

Max’s eyes flickered.

That was new.

He moved again, testing her—but this time, even under the weight of his ability, Sarah held her ground better. Slower, yes—but not frozen.

Not trapped.

She dodged.

Barely.

But enough.

A small cut grazed her side.

She didn’t react.

Didn’t lose rhythm.

Step. Turn. Breathe.

Max attacked again.

And again.

Each time, she moved—not perfectly, not cleanly—but with intent.

With control.

Seconds stretched.

Then—

An opening.

Small.

But real.

Max’s strike came down—

And for the first time—

Sarah didn’t dodge.

She stepped into it.

Her shoulder collided against his chest, disrupting his attack just enough. Her paw followed through, striking upward with everything she had behind it.

Max was forced back a full step.

Silence fell.

Both wolves stood still.

The distance between them is small now.

Even.

Max exhaled slowly.

Then—

He shifted back.

Adrian stood there again, looking at her.

Sarah’s wolf form flickered slightly—but didn’t collapse immediately.

She held it.

For a few seconds longer than before.

Then finally, she shifted back too, dropping to one knee, breathing hard.

But smiling.

Adrian watched her carefully.

“…That,” he said after a moment, “is control.”

Sarah let out a shaky breath, wiping sweat from her forehead.

“I didn’t beat you,” she said.

Adrian’s lips curved faintly.

“You weren’t supposed to.”

A pause.

Then he added—

“But you didn’t lose yourself either.”

That mattered more.

Sarah looked down at her hands again.

They weren’t shaking this time.

Not from fear. But from growth, she had finally controlled her wolf.

She looked back up at Adrian.

“…Again?” she asked.

Adrian held her gaze for a second. Then— A small, approving nod. “Again.”