Riley found herself studying his face, searching for any sign of deception and finding none. Her mind spun with the implications, but one truth cut through the chaos with startling clarity—this powerful man could have taken what he wanted that night. Could have seduced her, marked her, bound her to him before she understood the consequences. And he'd chosen not to.
That restraint, that respect for her autonomy even when it clearly cost him, made her chest tight with an emotion she didn't want to name.
"There's more," Adrian said quietly.
"What? There's more?" Riley's voice pitched higher.
"My rival Darius Vonn has been circling, wanting to challenge me for my Alpha title. He can't right now because I didn't take the Alpha title yet, but if I ever choose to take the title without a mate..."
"Wait." Riley's head snapped up. "Darius Vonn the kickboxer?"
"You know him?"
"I know him." She'd fought on cards with Darius before, had seen firsthand his aggressive style and predatory intensity. Knowing he was a tiger shifter suddenly made perfect sense. "Well, don't take the Alpha title then."
"I'm not, but it's been a year since my father died, and the pride is getting restless that I haven't chosen my mate and completed the bond. They need stability."
"And that stability would be me?"
"Yes. But I'm not forcing you into any of that, and that's not exactly why I'm here. I mean, it is, but it isn't." Adrian ran a hand through his hair, the first crack in his composure she'd seen. "I have a big problem. I may have agreed to enter a kickboxing competition when Darius provoked me earlier today."
"Why would you do that?"
"I wanted to prove I'm not a weak Alpha. That I'm strong. I thought this would be a good test of my legitimacy."
Riley shook her head. "You're probably not prepared for that level of competition."
"I'm not. And that's where I'm hoping you might train me. I could really use your expertise."
"That's the same competition I'm entering. Female division, obviously." Riley found herself considering it despite everything. "I guess I could help you since I have to train for it myself. It wouldn't be much of an extra burden."
"Thank you. I really appreciate it. And I'll help you with your gym in any way you need in exchange."
"Free of charge?"
"Of course. And I'll pay you for training me. Consider it a thank you for doing this huge favor."
"How much are you offering?"
Adrian seemed to consider for a moment. "Fifty thousand dollars."
Riley's breath caught. "That's too much."
"It's no problem at all. It'll help you get by for a while. Cover expenses and equipment repairs."
The amount would solve her immediate problems and buy her breathing room she desperately needed. Riley found herself nodding before she could second-guess the decision.
"When do you want to start training?"
"How about now?"
Riley glanced at the ring in the corner of the gym. "That works. I was training for the competition myself tonight anyway. I can go over the rules and basics."
Adrian's smile transformed his entire face, and Riley felt her pulse skip in response.
They made their way to the elevated ring, and as Riley ducked through the ropes, she was hyperaware of Adrianfollowing behind her. The space suddenly felt smaller, more intimate, charged with the same electric tension that had sparked between them from their first meeting.
"Okay," Riley said, moving to the center of the ring and trying to focus on technique instead of the way Adrian's t-shirt stretched across his chest. "Let's start with basic stance and movement."
