“He’s annoyed that his full spectrum of vision hasn’t yet returned,” Alarick admitted with a sigh, “and that he still has some pain and limited mobility. But he is doing better, thank you.”
“Told ya he was too stubborn to die. You make sure you’re the same way.”
The alpha led us through a grove of trees and into the middle of a massive field. Lamps hung from the boughs and across wires overhead, casting light and showing off the colors that my night vision didn’t provide. I whistled in shock at the number of wolves—in both forms—that ringed the fringes and slipped between the trees in a patchwork of red, brown, gray, and black. “Guess that explains the cars.”
“Only a few of my pack are here to witness,” Alpha Due informed us with a small shrug. “Many remain at the packhouse with our pups and to help compile the amount of supplies necessary to host this type of proceeding.” His eyes darted around the field, his brow wrinkling as he searched. “I assumed Eirian had already made her way here.” How he hoped to spot her in the sea of color, I wasn’t sure, but Starlight Woods wasn’t hard to find. On the far side of the clearing, their red hair acted as a beacon as they surrounded Gwyar, their hands flying as they spoke emphatically with him about something.
“Luna, you need to stay close to me,” I reminded the pup, as my wolf snarled at all the unfamiliar smells and the number of unknown wolves. While many smiled or waved at Alarick, who greeted them familiarly, I didn’t like them anywhere near us. “Shannon, you stay close too, okay?”
“I will,” she agreed, squeezing my shoulder. “I may not be the strongest fighter, but I can keep them back from us for a while at least.” I smiled up at her in thanks.
“Remember, nothing fancy.” Ian’s words were quiet. “No warnings are necessary, the duel is to the death. Just kill him and end it before he has a chance to try anything, because we both know he will, and I don’t relish the idea of patching you back up again.”
“Hey, at least there are no cliffs here for you,” Zev remarked with a pointed look at me. I groaned at the reminder.
“Oh, come on!” I leaned my head against Luna’s. Despite the dark humor, even the pup chuckled at the joke Zev made at my expense.
With Alpha Due at our side, we approached the delegation for Starlight Woods, and I purposely ignored the slimy smirks on their faces. “You’re late.” Gwyar’s voice was pitched to carry, even though I could sense the witnesses moving closer, soaking in the drama that was about to unfold.
“The duel isn’t yet set to start, so I don’t see how I’m late,” Alarick replied dryly. Gwyar shrugged as though it made no difference. Alarick turned to me, handing over his suit jacket before unbuttoning his shirt.
“Witnesses, thank you for joining us,” Alpha Due called to the crowd. “Alpha Eirian will be here momentarily for the duel to begin.” His attention turned back to us as he indicated the sidelines with a wave of his hands. “You can stay there with the pup. I doubt you’ll need the entire meadow for your duel, but it is available for use, so we won’t allow anyone to go more than ten feet past the tree line,” he explained.
“That’d be quite a duel,” I muttered, eyeing the distance of what was probably several football fields combined.
“Some are.” Ian’s voice was edgy, and I shifted to look at him as he adjusted his glasses.
“Ian?” I murmured, tugging him down so he could whisper into my ear.
“You’re right, kitten. Look how calm he is.” I glanced to Gwyar, who hadn’t even broken a sweat at the idea of the duel beginning. He wore a large smile on his face. A shiver worked over my spine as my wolf tried to push forward, to bound across the ground and tear into the male who was the source of so many problems for my family. I took a quick look at the solemn faces of the others, and I knew they had the same thoughts.
“Alpha Due?” I called quietly, drawing his attention to me and waving him closer. “What’s the fastest way out of this meadow if Shannon and Luna need to take it?”
“Pixie, no,” Shannon objected, but I silenced her with a look.