Christmas with my Off-Limits Alpha (Feuding Hearts Christmas)

13. Ava Mooney

Ava Mooney

Chapter Thirteen

T he roar of engines fills my ears as I lean into a sharp turn, the bike vibrating beneath me. Dirt and gravel spray up, pelting my helmet. I’m hyper-aware of every dip and rise in the terrain, my Kitsuné senses on high alert.

Benny’s just ahead, his bike kicking up a cloud of dust. I push harder, determined to close the gap. My fingers tighten on the handlebars as I spot a treacherous ditch to my left.

“Watch your left, Ava!” Benny shouts over the engine noise.

I nod, grateful for the heads up. But there’s no time for thanks. Ricky’s gaining on my right. His aggressive riding style makes my skin prickle with unease.

The bike jolts as I hit a rough patch, and for a split second, I wonder if Dad and Liam were right. Maybe this race is too dangerous. No. I shake the thought away, gritting my teeth. Exhilaration is the only emotion I’m letting in right now.

Ricky edges closer, his bike nearly touching mine. “Outta my way, fox girl!” he snarls.

Anger flares in my chest. I’m not backing down, not from him, not from anyone. I gun the engine, pushing my bike to its limits as we approach a steep incline.

The world narrows to just me, the bike, and the treacherous path ahead. My enhanced senses pick up every detail - the smell of exhaust, the taste of dust in the air, the subtle shifts in the terrain beneath my wheels.

As we crest the hill, I catch a glimpse of the valley below. It’s beautiful, in a wild, untamed way. For a moment, I feel a connection to this land that goes beyond the race, beyond proving myself. It’s primal, tied to my Kitsuné nature.

But there’s no time to dwell on it. Ricky’s still on my tail, and Benny’s pulling ahead. I lean forward, urging my bike faster. The wind whips at my jacket, and adrenaline surges through me.

This is what I’ve been training for. This is where I shine. Not stuck behind a desk, not hiding who I am. Here, on this bike, racing through the wilderness. This is freedom.

Yet as we round another bend, the nagging doubt returns. There’s an Iron Wolf hot on my six. “No. Don’t go there,” I mutter to myself. “Focus, Ava. One turn at a time.”

I spot a narrow gap between two boulders up ahead. It’s risky, but it could give me the edge I need. Without hesitation, I aim for it, trusting my instincts and my bike.

As I squeeze through, I hear Ricky curse behind me. A grin spreads across my face. Maybe I can’t out-muscle these guys, but I can sure as hell outmaneuver them.

The terrain shifts beneath my wheels as we enter a treacherous stretch of the course. Jagged rocks and sudden dips make every second a fight for control. Ricky’s bike roars closer, his riding becoming erratic and unpredictable.

“Back off, Ricky!” I shout, but my words are lost in the engine noise.

He swerves sharply, cutting across my path. My stomach drops as I realize his game. He’s not racing—he intends to take me out.

Time slows as Ricky’s bike veers dangerously close. I have a split second to decide: collide with him or bail out. Gritting my teeth, I wrench the handlebars hard to the side.

The world spins as I hit the ground. Rocks and dirt scrape against my leathers as I skid across the rugged terrain. Pain explodes through my body, but adrenaline keeps me moving. I roll to a stop, gasping for air.

Dust settles around me as I struggle to my feet. My bike lies a few yards away, battered but miraculously intact. Ricky’s nowhere in sight - the bastard didn’t even slow down.

“Ava!” Benny’s voice cuts through the ringing in my ears. His bike skids to a halt nearby. “You okay? That bastard cut you off deliberately!”

I nod, wincing as I test my limbs and wave him on. Nothing’s broken, but I’ll be feeling this for days. “I’m fine. Go! You can catch him!”

Benny hesitates, concern etched on his face. “You sure?”

“Just go!” I snap, frustration boiling over. “Don’t let that asshole win!”

I watch Benny’s bike disappear into the dust, leaving me alone with the wreckage of my dreams.

Turning back to my bike, I hoist it upright and run my hands over the dented frame and bent handlebars. It’s banged up, but still rideable. Maybe. The engine sputters when I start it, a pathetic cough compared to its usual roar. It’s worse than I thought.

“Dammit,” I mutter, kicking at a loose rock. It skitters away, mocking me.

The bike runs, but it’s limping. No way I’m catching up. I’m out. Finished. The bitter taste of defeat coats my tongue as I swing my leg over the seat.

My fists clench as anger surges through me. This was my chance to prove myself, to show that I can handle myself. Now what do I have to show for it? Bruises, broken bike, and a DNF.

“ARRRRGGH!” I scream, frustration echoing off the canyon walls. Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back, refusing to let them fall. Crying won’t change anything. It won’t put me back in the race.

The quiet presses in around me, filling my head with doubts. Was this really about strength? Or was I running from something else?

I ride slowly, babying the bike on the humiliating ride to the finish line. Navigating around a treacherous bend, I choose the easier path. The gentler, straightforward route feels like admitting failure. I hear the race continuing in the distance, motors echoing through the hills, but here, it’s just me and the sound of my struggling engine.

My fingers tighten on the handlebars. What was I thinking, entering this race? Trying to prove myself? I snort. Some proof. I couldn’t even finish. Instead, I’m crawling back like a wounded bird.

Mom’s face flashes in my mind. Her smile, her laugh. The mystery surrounding her death. And Dad... I’ll never be the daughter he wants. The thought twists in my gut like a knife.

Liam’s face appears next, his blue eyes filled with concern. What will he think of me now?

The bike jolts over a small dip, and I wince. Every bump is a reminder of failure, sending a fresh wave of pain through my battered body. The bike sputters again, and I pat its side as we limp along. “I know, buddy. We’re both a little worse for wear.”

The race is lost, my dreams of proving myself shattered like the bits of gravel crunching under my wheels. But as I round a bend, the view opens into an amazing vista and I smile, letting off the gas and putting my feet down. I stop to drink in the beauty surrounding me.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself, you moron. Get your head around the big picture and out of the dirt. It’s only a race and there’s only one person whose approval you need—Ava Mooney.

My Kitsuné senses flare to life, heightening my awareness of the world around me. The wintery landscape unfolds before my eyes, a breathtaking tapestry of green hills punctuated with pristine patches of snow. The crisp mountain air fills my lungs, carrying with it the scent of pine and frost. I hear the distant cry of an eagle soaring overhead and the soft rustling of small creatures scurrying beneath the snow-laden underbrush. The wind whispers through the trees, its icy fingers caressing my skin and tousling my hair.

I close my eyes for a moment, reveling in the sensation of life pulsing around me—from the steady heartbeats of hibernating animals tucked away in their dens to the quiet resilience of winter flora pushing through the frozen earth. It’s in moments like these I truly appreciate the gift of my supernatural heritage, allowing me to connect with nature in ways few other’s experience.

AVA!

My eyes fly open, and I look around frantically. Liam!

I hear his voice. Calling my name. It’s primal, urgent. Every fiber of my being screams danger, but not for me.

For Liam.

His voice echoes in my mind, accompanied by a flood of panic. Our training sessions flash before my eyes—his patient guidance, the growing trust between us. The undeniable attraction between us. Now, that connection thrums with an intensity that steals my breath.

“No, no, no,” I mutter, gunning the damaged engine. The bike protests, but I push it harder. My injuries fade to background noise as adrenaline surges through me.

Liam, alone and in trouble. Our shared moments replay in my mind: stolen kisses, steamy touches, so many unspoken words between us.

“I’m coming,” I growl, leaning into a sharp turn. The bike wobbles dangerously, but I keep it upright through sheer force of will.

My eyes scan the terrain, searching for any sign of Liam or what might be threatening him. The forest closes in around me, shadows deepening despite the midday sun. Something’s wrong, terribly wrong.

I skid to a stop at a fork in the trail. Which way? Left leads back to the finish line, right plunges deeper into the woods. Logic says go left, get help, but my instincts scream otherwise. I close my eyes, reaching out with senses beyond the human.

There. Liam’s presence, faint but unmistakable.

“Hang on,” I whisper, wrenching the handlebars to the right. The bike lurches forward, protesting every inch of the way. But I won’t let it fail, not now. Not when Liam needs me.