“Look, we need to talk,” I said, striding forward. “You and I are both aware there’s still some bitterness between us, but we can’t let that interfere with protecting Liza.”
Liam crossed his arms under his chest, his eyes narrowing. “Yeah, you’re right. We have to put aside our differences for her sake. Don’t forget, she’s my sister. I’d do anything for her, even if it means crossing you or your family.”
“Let’s clear the air, then,” I said. “Tell me straight up… are you working with Castro? Are you trying to bring my pack down from the inside?”
The silence that followed was stifling. I watched as Liam’s face contorted with anger and hurt before he finally spoke. “I can’t believe you’d even ask me that. After everything we’ve been through, after everything Liza’s been through, do you really think I’d betray her like that?”
“Believe me, I don’t want to think it,” I answered honestly. “There are too many unanswered questions. Too many coincidences. The trigger word, the relentless attacks… I need to be sure where your loyalties lie.”
“My loyalty is to Liza,” he said firmly. “Always. End of story.”
“We have to come to some agreement, Liam. We can’t go like this. It’s Liza who’s suffering.”
He winced when I mentioned her name, as if he’d just realized how much his attitude would hurt her.
“Fine,” Liam said. “A sparring match. We’ll settle this like wolves.”
“Agreed.” I nodded, already going over strategies in my mind. “But we do it at the estate, not here. When it’s over, whatever grudges you have will be let go.”
“Deal.” He reached out a hand to shake, a hard glint in his eyes.
As Liam had shifted and ran to the motel, we drove back to the estate in my car in silence, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. When we approached the grounds, I caught a whiff of the night air, crisp and cool against my skin. The scent of the surrounding woods, earthy and alive, helped calm my nerves.
“Wait here,” I told Liam as we got out of the car. “I need to find witnesses for the match.”
I found two guards at the door and took them to the field.
The moon illuminated the estate, casting eerie shadows as Liam and I stood facing each other in the open field. Adrenaline coursed through my veins. The scent of damp earth filled my nostrils as I steadied my breathing and prepared for battle.
“Ready?” Liam’s icy blue eyes never left mine.
“Let’s do this.” I clenched my fists at my sides.
With a swift movement, Liam lunged, his fist connecting with my jaw. Pain exploded through my face, but I shoved it away and countered with a punch to his gut that forced the air from his lungs. He doubled over but quickly recovered and aimed a kick at my side.
“Is that all you’ve got?” I taunted, dodging his attack, and landing a solid hit to his ribs.
“Hardly,” he said, retaliating with a swift kick to my thigh.
Our fists flew, an intricate dance of violence fueled by years of bitterness and mistrust. As we traded blows, I thought about Liza. This match wasn’t just about settling old grudges, it was about proving that I was fit to protect her, no matter what threats came our way. If that meant putting my own pride on the line, so be it.
“Enough of this,” Liam growled, his breathing ragged as he wiped blood from his split lip. “We’re getting nowhere.”
“Then, let’s take this to the next level,” I said, my voice hoarse from exertion.
With a nod of agreement, we both stepped back, our bodies shifting effortlessly into our wolf forms.
As my vision sharpened and my senses heightened, I charged at Liam, my powerful jaws snapping at his throat. He twisted out of my reach, his lean body agile and quick. We circled each other, our growls echoing in the night air as we searched for an opening.
Suddenly, Liam lunged, his sharp teeth sinking into my shoulder. I yelped in pain but managed to shake him off, my ownteeth finding purchase on his hind leg soon after. He snarled and twisted away, limping slightly while he regained his footing.
Come on,I thought to myself, pushing through the pain and fatigue that threatened to overtake me.You can’t back down now.
Liza’s frantic footsteps drew my attention away from the exhausted satisfaction that had settled over me after the fight. Her shout rang out, sharp with anger and worry as she sprinted toward us. “What the fuck are you two doing?”
Liam and I exchanged a glance before we shifted back into our human forms, sitting on the grass, still panting heavily from the fight.
Liza glared at us, punching her fists onto her hips. “Ty. Liam.” She ground out our names like curses. “I can’t believe you would be so reckless and stupid. You could’ve seriously hurt each other,”
