Bound by Strength

The heavy steel door to my private training facility slid open with a quiet hiss, revealing the dimly lit expanse of the underground combat floor. The space was vast, outfitted with reinforced walls, advanced exercise equipment, and a sparring ring at its center—an arena designed to withstand the force of superhuman battles.

In the center of the room sat a large reinforced crate. Inside lay Christina, still unconscious, bound in chains with a mutant suppression collar secured tightly around her neck.

I approached the box, tapping a few commands into my wrist device. A soft hiss followed as the anesthesia system deactivated, and moments later, Christina stirred.

With a sharp breath, her body tensed, muscles rippling as she tried to move. Slowly, her eyes blinked open, confusion flickering through them before she adjusted to her surroundings.

"Rise and shine," I said, my voice laced with amusement.

Christina's gaze snapped to mine, her expression darkening. "The hell is this?" she growled, struggling against her restraints.

I crouched beside the crate, my hands resting casually on my knees. "I bought you from Ajax. You're mine now."

Her jaw clenched. "Like hell I am."

I smirked. "Tell you what—I'll give you a chance. One-on-one fight. No tricks, no weapons. If you win, I let you walk out of here, free and clear. But if you lose…" I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. "You work for me. No complaints. No escape."

Her eyes narrowed. "You serious?"

"Dead serious."

A tense silence hung between us before she let out a scoff. "Fine. But don't cry when I break you in half."

I chuckled, standing to my full height. "We'll see."

With another command, the restraints snapped open, and the collar unclasped. Christina rolled her shoulders, flexing her fingers as she felt the power surge through her body once more. She met my gaze, a savage grin splitting her lips.

Then she moved.

Like a bullet, Christina shot forward, her fist aimed straight for my face. The sheer force of her punch could have shattered a concrete wall. But as her knuckles met my palm, the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the room—yet I didn't budge.

Her eyes widened. "What the—"

I grinned. "My turn."

With a flick of my wrist, I sent her skidding backward across the floor. But she recovered fast, launching herself at me again with relentless speed and power. She was strong, faster than most mutants, but against my Kryptonian physiology, she was outmatched.

She pivoted mid-air, twisting her body to deliver a brutal roundhouse kick aimed for my temple. I sidestepped effortlessly, catching her ankle mid-spin. With a sharp yank, I sent her crashing to the floor, but she rolled through the impact, bouncing back to her feet without hesitation.

"You're tough," I admitted. "Faster than I expected."

Christina smirked, wiping a trickle of blood from her lip. "And you're cocky. That's gonna get you hurt."

She feinted left before suddenly twisting into a full-force uppercut, aiming for my chin. I blocked just in time, but the raw power behind the strike sent a slight vibration through my arm. Without missing a beat, she transitioned into a relentless barrage—punches, elbows, knee strikes, each executed with deadly precision.

I dodged, weaving through her onslaught, letting her burn energy while studying her technique. She fought like a seasoned warrior—aggressive, controlled, no wasted movement. Every strike had intent. If I had been a normal human, I'd be a bloody mess by now.

But I wasn't normal.

She swung again, this time aiming for my ribs. I caught her wrist, twisting her arm behind her back in a fluid motion. She let out a sharp gasp but didn't hesitate—using her free hand, she clawed at my face, forcing me to loosen my grip just enough for her to slip free. She lunged, her knee rocketing toward my stomach.

I blocked again, but she was learning. Instead of following through, she used the momentum to leap, wrapping her legs around my torso in a vice grip and twisting violently. The maneuver sent us both crashing to the ground, her on top, pinning me in a well-executed hold.

"Gotcha now," she panted, her strength pressing down on me.

I smirked. "Not quite."

With one burst of power, I flipped us over, slamming her onto her back with controlled force. She gritted her teeth, struggling beneath me, her breath ragged but her spirit unbroken.

"Damn it…" she hissed, refusing to accept defeat. She bucked, trying to throw me off, but I kept her pinned, my weight pressing her down.

The fight had lasted longer than I'd expected. Her endurance was impressive, her raw strength formidable. But it was over.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her lips parted slightly as she looked up at me. The fire in her eyes hadn't dimmed—it burned even fiercer, not just with defiance but with something else. Respect. Acknowledgment. We had tested each other, pushed limits neither of us expected, and now, amidst the fading echoes of battle, there was an unspoken understanding between us. She had fought harder than anyone I'd faced in a long time, and in return, I had given her the fight she deserved. And yet, despite her exhaustion, her spirit remained unbroken.

I smirked. "Still think you can beat me?"

She swallowed, her breathing uneven. "Tch… bastard…"

I leaned in just a fraction closer. "I'll take that as a no."

Her eyes flickered to my lips, and for the first time since our battle began, she didn't push back. Instead, she held still, her breath hitching as realization dawned—she had met her match. Every strike, every counter, every moment of their fight had proven that Ryan possessed not only the strength she craved in a rival but the dominance, skill, and confidence she longed for in a man. The warmth of their bodies pressed together made the air feel heavier, and despite the defiance in her gaze, a deeper part of her acknowledged him, respected him..... and wanted him.

I took my chance.

Lowering my head, I claimed her lips in a deep, searing kiss. Christina stiffened for a moment, surprised, but then she melted against me, her body responding instinctively.

Her fingers curled against my back, nails pressing into my skin as the intensity between us grew. The fire that had driven our fight now fueled something entirely different—something just as wild, just as exhilarating.

I pulled back slightly, smirking down at her. "Say it."

Christina let out a soft gasp, still recovering from the kiss. "I…" She swallowed hard, then exhaled. "I submit."

Satisfied, I kissed her again, this time slower, deeper. The tension between us snapped completely as we gave in to the moment, losing ourselves in the heat that had been building since the fight began.

The battle may have ended, but the night had only just begun.