“Are they just going to keep trying?” I whisper.
The wolf beside me shrugs. His sister bounces off the barrier again. Guess so. The stubborn determination might be amusing in other circumstances, and letting them tire themselves out is tempting, but we might be here for a while. Is there a better plan?
Bane and I turn to each other while the opposing wolves keep slamming against the shield. It’s hard to come up with a detailed plan and be totally confident we’re on the same page when our opponents areright thereand also Bane can’t talk. But I think we figure something out.
When I look back at the persistent wolves, Adelaide has backed up to the farthest corner of the arena. She lets out a thunderous roar and charges, barreling right for us. Her four massive paws cross the distance in no time as she builds uppower, and soon she’s throwing her entire body against the shield, ramming into it at full force.
A second later, the barrier protecting us shudders and blinks out before returning. Uh-oh.
That’s all the incentive the predators on the other side need.
Adelaide and Cierra leap on the shield eagerly, snarling and spitting, using their claws, teeth, and shoulders to hit the barrier relentlessly.
I grit my teeth and grip Bane’s fur under my fingers. He lets out a frustrated growl as I fight to maintain our defenses. The magic around us grows weaker. They’re going to get through.
“I can’t hold it...” I gasp, the words escaping my lips before I can stop them.
Adelaide and Cierra take notice, perking up like dogs who hear the doorbell. They coordinate their attacks and leap as one, targeting the same spot and slashing and biting ferociously without letting up.
I try to channel all the power I can. The glow from the shield begins to dim, the blue light growing weaker and weaker. Bane and I back up, putting space between us and the eager wolves on the other side.
A snapping sound echoes in the arena. Our opponents freeze, watching as the barrier in front of them splinters and breaks apart. I conjure a new barrier made of weak blue light a second later, but it doesn’t discourage them. Adelaide’s tail wags, happy she’s found a weakness to exploit as her prey nears defeat.
Both wolves back up and prepare to charge.
I ready all the energy I can channel.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper as the new barrier sputters and fades.
Already restless and eager to finish this, our opponents don’t waste time. They charge forward, barreling right for us.
Praying my timing is right, I use the energy I’ve been channeling, creating a shield with more weight. The one before was something like rubber, but this one has the consistency of solid, thick stone.
If Adelaide and Cierra notice, they’re already too close and they crash into the wall of magic with a thunderous impact. The force knocks both of them off their feet.
It worked! They bought my ruse, my act of weakening magic. To them, I’m just a new witch and inferior wolf. Of course they thought my power couldn’t hold strong against their might.
To be fair, my endurance might not be excellent when it comes to my new craft, which is why we needed to make them think the barrier falteredbeforethey actually succeeded in bringing it down.
I drop the barrier, and Bane lunges forward, pouncing on his sister and seizing her throat in his jaws. Adelaide growls in defiance. The deep sound echoes through the arena as the spectators grow quiet, holding their breaths to see if this is really the end.
The threat of Bane’s teeth hold her in place. After what feels like an eternity, the fight drains from Adelaide. She lets out a low whine as she yields. When Bane finally releases his grip, Adelaide lowers her head in submission, acknowledging Bane’s dominance.
The crowd goes wild.
I think we’re declared victorious, but I don’t hear it. I watch in awe as Bane’s massive wolf form shifts and contorts, the fur receding as his body transforms. In the blink of an eye, the powerful wolf is gone, replaced by the tall, muscular man I’ve come to know so well.
He’s dirty and naked, heavily favoring one leg, but his victorious grin is huge, and I’m so glad to see him. High on the adrenaline from his victory, it doesn’t even look like thescratches and claw marks littering his body hurt him, though they make my heart clench painfully.
Bane strides toward me and pulls me into a fierce embrace, his strong arms enveloping me. He’s okay. Everything is okay as we hug.
“We did it,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. “We won.”
“So glad you’re okay,” I say. “Sorry I was late.”
“You’re right on time.”
Before I can say another word, Bane’s kissing me. His lips crash against mine with an urgency that sends my heart into a wild, uneven rhythm. It’s a kiss filled with passion, with relief, a kiss that makes me forget the danger we were in and even where we are now.
