Adrien finally caught up to her, his stallion huffing as they slowed near a smooth stretch of sand. Emerald had already dismounted, her boots kicking at the water's edge with a smirk.
"Alright," he called out breathlessly but with a wide grin. "I'll admit it, you're terrifyingly good at this."
Emerald turned around, her hair blowing in the wind and her cheeks flushed from the ride. "That's because I really am," she said.
Adrien dropped from his saddle and walked toward her, running a hand through his tousled hair. "You didn't even look back. Just full throttle, hooves flying. Goddess, that was hot."
Emerald let out a breath of a laugh. "You're hopeless."
"I've been called worse." He replied. "But, that was the most fun I've had in weeks."
Emerald tilted her head. "Same."
"Really?"
She nodded. "Most fun I've had in days, actually. Maybe longer."
Adrien looked pleased with himself. "Good. That's step one."
"Step one of what?"
He gave her a teasing bow. "Operation: Make my Queen Laugh."
"You're a menace."
"Mm. True. But a charming one."
She rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth tugged upward. It was hard not to smile around him. Even harder not to feel lighter.
They let the horses wander a bit, already trained to stay nearby. The crashing of the waves was soft, rhythmic, and soothing. Time seemed to fly by, without any rush or concerns about the world.
As the sun began to set, Emerald noticed a stack of dry wood set up a few feet away, already prepared. She arched a brow.
Adrien caught her look. "What? You think I brought horses but didn't plan for firelight?"
He raised one hand casually, fingers flexing.
A breath of flame shot from his palm to the base of the wood, catching instantly and crackling to life.
Emerald stepped back slightly. "Show-off."
He flashed her a crooked smile. "Always."
They settled by the fire, sitting on a large driftwood log. Adrien pulled out a leather flask and handed it to her.
"Don't worry; it's not poisoned."
He passed her a tin cup, clinking his own to hers. "To escapes. The temporary kind."
She smirked, sipping. "Not bad."
"I bring the good stuff," Adrien said, settling beside her with his legs stretched out. "And I know what a girl like you needs after a week of assassination attempts and political snake pits."
"Oh? And what exactly does a girl like me need?"
"Freedom. Chaos. A reckless idiot who makes you laugh."
"And you?" she asked, arching a brow. "Are you the reckless idiot?"
"Only the best." He grinned. "But also… someone who gets you, Em."
Her lips twitched at the sound of her name without a title.
She took another sip of the drink. "I must say, you're full of surprises."
"I aim to delight."
They passed the flask back and forth for a while, firelight dancing across Adrien's sharp features. He watched her in silence for a moment before speaking.
"You know," he said in a low voice, "people think I flirt because it's fun. Because I don't take things seriously."
Emerald glanced sideways. "Isn't that true?"
"Partly." He leaned back on his hands. "But mostly, I do it because it's easier to laugh than to be honest."
She stared at him.
Adrien shrugged. "Truth is… I envy you."
She blinked. "Me?"
"You don't hide your scars. You don't bend. You stand there, a storm wrapped in skin, and people either bow or get struck down." He smirked faintly. "I smile and joke and charm my way out of pain. But you? You walk through fire like it's your natural habitat."
Emerald looked into the fire, her jaw tightening. "I'm not strong, Adrien."
He turned his head toward her. "On the contrary. I believe you are."
She didn't say anything.
Adrien stood, brushing sand off his pants. "Come on. Up."
"What?"
"I'm challenging you. Let's spar. Beach style."
Emerald gave him a suspicious look. "You want me to fight you."
"No claws. No shifting. Just a bit of fun." He offered a hand. "Unless the Queen is afraid of getting tossed into the sand?"
She narrowed her eyes and removed her boots. Then she stood, brushing past his hand. "You're on."
The moment her feet hit the sand, Adrien lunged. She spun away, laughing as he stumbled slightly.
"Oh, I see. You laugh now," he said, grinning. "But let's see how long that lasts."
They circled each other, playfully pretending to strike while taking quick jabs. He reached for her waist, but she twisted away, grabbing his arm and pulling him off balance.
They both fell into a pile, rolling around in the sand, laughing and grunting as they tumbled.
"You're fast!" he groaned.
"You're slow," she retorted, pushing up to straddle him.
Adrien stared up at her, chest heaving, grin crooked. "You gonna declare victory or sit there and make me fall harder?"
Emerald meant to shove him and get up, but she didn't.
His hands slid up her thighs, resting gently, fingers tracing slow circles against her jeans. Her breathing quickened.
Her wolf stirred restlessly.
"Mine," Viola whispered.
Emerald felt it too.
Her hands loosened on Adrien's shirt, but they didn't let go. He reached up slowly, cupping her face with one hand, his thumb grazing her jaw.
"You don't want a tame mate, Emerald," he murmured. "You want someone who burns for you… and with you."
Her body froze, then softened, melting under his touch.
"If you don't do it, I'll take over and do it myself," Viola's voice echoed in Emerald's mind.
Emerald leaned down slowly, taking shallow breaths.
Their bodies were barely touching, just her knees resting on either side of his waist, and his hand still resting gently on her thigh. But the tension between them was intense, like wood ready to catch fire.
His gaze drifted to her mouth, then back up
She could feel it: the heat radiating off him, the way his fingers clenched slightly as if resisting the urge to pull her in. The bonfire behind them glowed hot, but it had nothing on what was building in her chest.
Adrien's voice was low, almost reverent. "I didn't plan any of this."
Emerald's throat tightened. "I know."
"I figured we'd ride, laugh a bit, maybe piss off a few seagulls… standard chaos." His eyes searched hers, more serious now than she'd ever seen them. "But then I saw you on that horse, wind tearing through your hair, and I thought… damn. There she is. My Queen of Wolves."
"Adrien…" Her voice cracked.
He lifted one hand, the back of his fingers brushing against her jawline. "If you want to walk away, I won't stop you."
Viola's voice was smooth and predatory. "Don't walk away."
Emerald's chest heaved with shallow breaths. She didn't move. Not at first.
But something inside her snapped, not from weakness, but from want.
She was tired of holding back. Tired of silence. Of pretending she didn't feel what she did every time he smirked like he knew the secrets of the world, or looked at her like she was the only one in it.
"I've kissed ones who wanted me just because of my crown," Adrien whispered. "I've kissed ones who just want me. But I've never kissed one who challenges me and makes me feel… even."
Emerald's eyes softened. "Then let me be your first."
She didn't give him a chance to respond.
Emerald leaned forward and kissed him hard.
Their mouths met in a heated rush, lips crashing together like waves against the shore. Adrien growled softly as she deepened the kiss, her hands sliding up his chest, threading through his hair.
The bond between them crackled with an intense and warm energy, full of life.
Heat pooled in her stomach, her skin tingling wherever they touched. Adrien pulled her flush against him, his hands firm on her waist, guiding her rhythm as the kiss turned desperate.
One of his hands slipped under her shirt, fingers gliding over the bare skin of her back.
Emerald gasped, arching into him, lost in the fire of the moment.
Her wolf, Viola, howled in satisfaction. "Yes. Yes. Take it. Claim it. He's yours."
But somewhere… somewhere beneath the heat and the rush, Emerald felt a cold tremor of fear.
This was real.
Too real.
She broke the kiss with a sharp breath, pulling back, her hand braced on his chest.
Adrien's eyes were blown wide with desire, lips kiss-swollen, his breath ragged. "Em…?"
"I…" Her voice came out shaky. "I can't."
Adrien didn't move. Didn't press. Just slowly let his hands fall away.
Emerald stood quickly, turning toward the fire, her chest heaving.
"I'm sorry," she murmured.
"Don't be," Adrien said softly from behind her. "I knew the risk when I touched you."
Silence stretched between them, interrupted only by the sound of the waves and the crackling fire.
He came to stand beside her after a while, not too close, not too far.
"Look," he said after a moment, "I may be a reckless bastard… but I'd never cross a line you didn't draw yourself."
She glanced at him. "You almost did."
"But I didn't."
Their eyes met, and for once… there was no teasing in his smile.
"Whenever you want to draw that line," he said quietly, "I'll be waiting. No pressure. No expectations."
Emerald stared into the fire, her heartbeat slowly steadying.
Adrien stepped back. "Come on. Let's get you home, Queen of Wolves."
Her lips twitched faintly. "Don't call me that."
"Too late," he called, already walking toward the horses. "You've got the crown, the bite, and the best damn kiss in the kingdom. You'll survive."
Despite herself… she smiled.