The training room was quiet except for the steady sound of William's controlled breathing. Ethan stood several feet away, arms relaxed at his sides, watching him with complete focus. The air between them was thick with the heavy press of Ethan's pheromones—stronger than any previous session, dense and demanding.
William's jaw tightened. Sweat ran down the side of his face and soaked into the collar of his shirt. His fingers curled and uncurled at his sides, but his stance never broke. He kept his eyes open and locked on Ethan's. Four counts in. Hold. Four counts out. The pressure tried to sink into his skin, tried to fog his thoughts and pull a reaction from his body, yet every time it rose he pushed it back with the rhythm of his breath.
Minutes stretched.
Ethan increased the intensity just a little more, testing him. William's shoulders trembled once, but he did not step back. He did not freeze. He stayed.
