Bloodfire (Blood Destiny 1) - Helen Harper Page 0,27

there was no-one to impress the Brethren. Once Johannes’ and Fergal’s evaluation was over – Fergal won as Johannes’ fighting was about as impressive as his cooking – Staines called me and Theresa and we took to the floor. Our eyes locked briefly. Theresa knew that she would beat me with ease for the first time in her life but that she also had to make it look a genuine win, rather than that I was throwing the fight. I wondered if it annoyed her but figured probably not. She was a warm-hearted were-squirrel who I was pretty sure was content with her lot in Cornwall, not least because she had a huge crush on Johannes. Those two were going to be doing some serious mating before too long. Maybe she’d help him out in the kitchen then and we might get some edible food. One could always live in hope.

I didn’t want to draw attention to myself by too obviously not trying so I took a step forward, making sure that I was completely open to a counter attack, and swung clumsily at Theresa. I managed a glancing blow off her shoulder whilst she retaliated with a fist to my face. The fire inside me started to rise but I managed to immediately dampen it down. It didn’t hurt much but I made a show of wincing dramatically before trying to feebly kick her off her feet. She sidestepped me neatly and launched out her arm. It wasn’t a great shot I but let it flip me onto my back and lay there for a second, giving her the win. Fast and painless. I peeked at the rest of the pack who had been following the fight closely. Anton had a smirk on his face but the rest kept their expressions clear. Good. I was pretty sure there was a glint of approval in Julia’s eyes as well.

Theresa was looking up at the Brethren for confirmation so I followed her gaze. The Lord Alpha looked irritated so I aimed for embarrassment and shrugged as if there was nothing I could have done. The blonde murmured something to him and he nodded briefly at Theresa. She extended me her hand and pulled me up to my feet.

On our way back to the sidelines, with our backs to the gallery, I mouthed thanks at her. She grinned at me and I exhaled softly. With the evaluation done there was just the interview to get through and then it would almost be over.

Anton leaned over to me when I re-took my place, “Watch me make your boyfriend howl in agony.” He swaggered towards Tom in the middle of the floor.

I counted to ten and gritted my teeth. It didn’t work so instead I envisaged breaking his nose with my fist. That was better.

Tom had already shifted into his wolf form by the time that Anton reached him. I could feel the rest of the pack murmuring around me. He was the first one to make such a blatant show of intention about doing well in front of the Brethren. Anton grinned ferally but stayed human. By not shifting he was also signaling that he was more powerful than Tom and didn’t need any supernatural aid to win. For the first time in my life I found myself hoping the arrogant prick would be successful. Tom snarled at him and they began.

Anton danced around Tom’s shape with light steps, teasing him by bluffing forward then stepping back. Even as a wolf I could sense Tom’s frustration. He snapped his teeth a few times but didn’t connect. Without warning, and in a blur of motion, Anton karate-chopped Tom’s back and then danced away again. Tom didn’t go down but he was clearly winded. He snapped again at Anton and launched himself at him so that they both ended up in a tussle on the floor. Anton managed a few jabs at Tom’s underbelly but it seemed as if Tom was gaining the upper-hand because all of a sudden he drew blood from Anton’s arm. I cursed silently. I’d expected more from Anton. Tom could have ended it there and then but he pulled back and Anton bounced back to his feet. They eyed each other up. Tom’s body tensed and I could tell he was going to go for Anton’s left. Unfortunately for Tom, so did Anton. As soon as he made his move, Anton spun round and scissor kicked. Tom collapsed and it