Kane
The training grounds were nearly empty when I arrived. The only sound was the rhythmic thud of fists striking wood, over and over again.
I knew who it was before I even saw her.
Fallon.
Her form was relentless, fists connecting with the training dummy in a steady, brutal rhythm. Even from a distance, I could see the tension in her stance, the barely restrained fury behind every strike. Her breathing was uneven, her knuckles raw, but she didn't stop. She wouldn't stop until she drove herself to exhaustion.
I should have walked away. Should have left her to her rage. It was none of my concern.
And yet, I didn't.
My feet carried me forward before I could talk myself out of it.
She didn't notice me at first, too lost in whatever storm was raging inside her. But the moment I stepped into the training ring, her movements slowed, her entire body going rigid.
"What do you want?" she asked, voice sharp.
I ignored the question. "You're sloppy."
Her hands curled into fists, and she finally turned to face me. Her blue eyes burned with frustration, exhaustion, and something elseâsomething dangerous.
"What?" she snapped.
"You're sloppy," I repeated. "Your footwork is lazy. You're leading too much with your right, and you're throwing punches like you want to break something."
She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "If you came here just to criticizeâ"
"I came here because you're being reckless," I cut in, stepping closer. "And reckless gets people killed."
She flinched, and for a split second, something flickered across her faceâhurt, maybe. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by fury.
"Oh, now you care?" she laughed bitterly. "Funny, considering you made it very clear that I mean nothing to you."
Something inside me twisted, sharp and painful. I kept my expression unreadable. "I said what needed to be said."
She scoffed. "Of course you did."
I should have walked away then. I should have let it end there. But instead, I stepped even closer, closing the space between us. I could see the way her chest rose and fell with uneven breaths, the way her hands trembled at her sides.
"You want a fight, Fallon?" I said, voice low. "Then fight me."
She stiffened, her eyes narrowing. "You think I won't?"
I didn't answer. I just took my stance.
For a long moment, she didn't move. But then, without warning, she struck.
She came at me fast, a blur of fury and desperation. I blocked her first punch, countered the next. She spun, aiming a kick at my side, but I caught her ankle before she could connect and twisted just enough to throw her off balance. She stumbled, but didn't fall.
Didn't stop.
She attacked again, and this time, I let her make contact. Her fist connected with my jaw, hard enough to sting, but not enough to do real damage. The moment she realized I hadn't blocked it, she hesitatedâjust for a fraction of a second.
It was enough.
I grabbed her wrist, twisting it behind her back as I shoved her up against the nearest wooden post. Her breath left her in a sharp exhale, but she didn't fight me. Not yet.
Her body was tense against mine, every muscle coiled like a spring. "Let me go," she said through clenched teeth.
I didn't.
For a long moment, neither of us moved. Her breath was hot against my throat, and I could feel the way her pulse pounded beneath my grip. I didn't know if it was from the fight or from something else entirely.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked, voice quieter now. More raw.
Because the thought of her fighting like thisâreckless and desperateâmade something inside me snap.
Because the idea of her breaking herself apart just to escape whatever she was feeling made my blood boil.
Because despite everything, despite how much I needed to keep my distance, I couldn't fucking stand to see her like this.
I tightened my grip for just a moment before letting her go.
She spun to face me the second she was free, her eyes blazing. "You don't get to do this," she said, voice shaking. "You don't get to push me away, to say I mean nothing, and then act like you care."
I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to remain still.
She exhaled a bitter laugh. "You know what? Maybe I should thank you. At least now I know exactly where I stand."
She turned to leave, but I moved before I could stop myself, my hand catching her wrist.
She froze.
Her skin was warm beneath my touch, her pulse erratic. She didn't look at me, but she didn't pull away either.
I could have said something then. I could have given her a lie, told her she was wrong, that she did mean something. That she meant too much.
But I didn't.
Because I knew the second I let my guard down, she would break through every wall I had ever built.
And I wasn't sure I'd survive it.
So instead, I released her hand, turned, and walked away.
Even though every step felt like a mistake.