rrior

g at her like a hammer. She dropped low, his fist slicing

n. She didn't know if using Moonfire here would help her or kill her. These wolves respected streng

irked. "Quick

but not fast enough-the kick caught her side, sending h

" someon

r clung to her face, her palms scraped raw, but she refused to s

ing over her. "You're just a girl who s

. She staggered to her feet, meeting hi

his swing and drove her elbow into his ribs. The impact wa

s laughter

ees, ribs, jaw. He was stronger, faster, trained to kill, but she was smalle

ration ha

eaths came ragged. Sweat stung her eyes. Her

sing around her throat. He lifted her off the groun

"The Alpha should've let me snap

ard, anticipation buzzing. The fire insid

th

oug

through the ai

before he dropped her unceremoniously to the ground

His storm-gray eyes burned as they swept over

elen said, his voice c

d without a word. The crowd scattered b

hispering against the dirt. He stopped i

part of her screamed to stay down, but something stronger

t. Then, to her surprise, he crouch

ok," he said softly. "That's goo

hoarse. "If you wanted me broken

ssion-amusement? Approval? It wa

roves you deserve the Goddess's

ing proves I deserve to

le. "You're bold, flame. Boldness can mak

ng above her onc

to her feet. Every bone ached, her

resolve. Then he spoke, voice low

s. We take what we need, we kill what we must, and we survive. If you want to live here, you'

heavy, striki

but she didn't look a

stretched between them, sharp and tense. Then he le

'll belon

inside her flared wildly, confused-half fur

dawn, she begins with the warriors. If she survives a month, she earns

forward, motionin

glanced back. Kaelen still stood in the co

she wondered if fate hadn't given her a gift at a

e, her wolf stirred

weren't meant

eant to be