The next morning, Leyla knew.
She didn't say anything, but her nostrils flared as Echo walked into the common room, and her tail gave a single, sharp twitch. She met his eyes, and there was no anger—just a simmering, possessive heat.
They attended combat drills together. Leyla fought with vicious grace, her moon-claws tearing through training drones. Echo matched her, their movements syncing without words. After class, she grabbed his wrist.
"My room. Now."
Her room was sparse, all function. A training dummy, a weapon rack, a narrow bed. She pushed him against the wall, her claws retracted but her grip iron-strong.
"You bonded with her last night." It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
Leyla's eyes glowed faintly silver. "I could feel it. Through our bond. It was… intense."
"Does that bother you?"
A low growl vibrated in her throat. "No. It makes me want you more." She kissed him—fierce, claiming, all teeth and heat. This was nothing like Mira's tender exploration. This was a challenge. A conquest.
She tore his shirt, her claws carefully sheathed but her strength undeniable. He lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, biting his shoulder as he carried her to the bed.
Their coupling was a battle—a clash of rhythm, breath, and raw need. Her moon-energy surged, silver light leaking from her skin, casting phantom panther-shapes on the walls. Echo met her intensity with his own, their bond flaring like a live wire.
He could feel her bloodline singing, craving more awakening. As they moved, he pushed Bond Points into her—not just through system mechanics, but through the raw connection of flesh and spirit.
[ Bond with Leyla deepening… ]
[ Physical synchronization: Extreme ]
[ Bond Points +4 ]
[ Bloodline Resonance: Moonstalker Stage 1 → Stage 2 progression unlocked ]
[ Echo receives: Lunar Reflexes – agility +5% in low-light conditions ]
After, she lay panting beneath him, her fur damp, her claws lightly scoring his back. "You're mine too," she whispered, fierce and tender.
"Always," he promised.