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“Why are you here?” I ask.
“Just checking in. Making sure you still want to go through with this.”
I stare at the man before me. We have known each other all our lives; he has been my best friend for as long as I can remember.
“You chose your mate, correct?” He nods. “I didn’t. I waited and waited until I found my fated mate, even though there was a chance I would spend my life alone. It is something completely different.”
“What do you mean?” he asks with a frown.
“You love your woman. I’ve seen you together. I don’t love Talulla. I live for her. She is the reason I breathe. If anything were to happen to her I wouldn’t be able to carry on. That’s the difference.”
“Damn,” Waylon says lowly.
“Does that answer your question?”
He nods. I can see he is lost in thought, running my words over in his mind. I didn’t mean to disparage what he has with his mate. It doesn’t make what I said any less accurate.
“I need you to make sure that no one else interferes,” I say dragging him back to reality.
“Why would anyone interfere?” He asks with a frown.
“I have a feeling that Daryl would be happier if I lost this fight.”
Anger flashes across his face. “I have your back.”
“Good.”
***
Outside the pack compound, almost a mile away, is a large clearing in the middle of the forest. Since before I was born this area has been used for various ceremonies. To celebrate births, matings, and even deaths. But tonight will be the first time it will be used for combat in almost a hundred years.
We haven’t had a fight to the death over any dispute for generations, and it hurts me to have to be the person to break this streak, but I don’t have a choice. A blood vow is just as binding as our mating and the only way to break it is to kill Warren.
“I love you,” Talulla says softly while I hold her.
Behind me, I hear the other Alpha growl, but I don’t pay him any mind.
“As do I.” I stare down at her tear-streaked face. “Don’t cry. Everything will work out the way it should.”
“What if you lose?”
“I won’t.”
“But…”
I seal my lips over hers, cutting off her words. She responds to me immediately, softening beneath my touch and bowing into my body.
Pulling away, I smirk at her. “Be ready, mate. When I win,” I pause to ensure she hears every word I say. “I will need to feel you around me.”
A beautiful blush blooms over her cheeks. The meaning behind my words ringing through her mind. Turning, I face the Alpha on the other end of the clearing.
My wolf is ready, quiet but deadly in the forefront of my mind. We are both waiting for the other man to move, unwilling to give up the advantage and shift first. Silence drags out among the people assembled as they wait with bated breath to see who comes out victorious. Warren exhales, and his left foot twitches in the dirt, giving away his intent.
I spring forth a split second before he does. The change flows over me seamlessly. Bones crack and reassemble before my paws hit the ground. Warren is still mid-change when my wolf strikes. His teeth embed in the flank of the other wolf. A howl of pain rips through the night, sending birds fluttering from their nests into the star-filled sky. The full moon gives me all the illumination required to see where my opponent is and where I need to strike next.
I circle the wounded russet wolf, his limp already pronounced. Yes, I am smaller and less crazy than him, but I have the upper hand regarding tactics and simple intelligence. His wolf growls and snaps in my direction, but I quickly dodge the advance before targeting the same leg as before. My jaw clamps down, the coppery tang of blood filling my mouth before I shake my head harshly.
Flesh tears from bones, leaving a gaping wound once I release him. Warren turns quickly and catches my ear, tearing it down the middle. The pain is blinding, but I know I need to stay focused. Once the fight ends, I can worry about any damage he has inflicted.
