Moon Claimed (Werewolf Dens #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,103
and the fighting circle they’d formed around us.
Glancing back, I noted Rhona sprawled on the ground and looking at me in horror.
The tribe stared on with the same expressions.
They knew what I was.
Now, I was the monster.
What if I lose? I asked Greyson.
He can choose to spare you. He can choose to kill you.
I knew even as the words left him that Greyson wouldn’t allow that to happen. He’d break tradition. He’d fight to reach me.
I’ll need to spare or kill him? I asked.
Yes. But we don’t know where Wade is.
Fuck.
My wolf cut in. Are there any other rules we should be aware of?
None, Greyson said.
The black wolf and I circled each other, and though I had no idea how to fight, this was instinctual to my wolf.
Giving her control of everything, I didn’t sit back but sat ready to assist when needed. As she’d done with Greyson, we danced back, darting in and out as the circling continued.
My wolf’s assessment flowed into me. He’d be a slightly weaker opponent. He’d passed his prime years.
He was older. In appearance too. Unmated.
Not immortal.
His yellow eyes bore into mine, and my wolf didn’t back down from the battle of will. It was crucial to win this too.
We launched across the divide and slashed at his hindquarters. Rounding back, we slashed the other side.
He was hot on our tail, and we faked one way, dashing around him. He didn’t relent as expected, continuing to chase us, a close match for our speed.
Shit.
My wolf changed direction, widening the distance. He wasn’t as agile on sudden turns. Spinning, she clawed down his side, eliciting a yelp.
Teeth sank into our hind leg. Pain shot through us and we rolled away. As my wolf recovered, I slid forward into the driver’s seat and kicked at the black wolf’s underbelly.
His fangs gleamed over us, and without thinking, I shifted to my much smaller human form. Staring up at his belly, I extended my claws and punched them into his gut.
I rolled out and stood, naked.
The black wolf staggered to the side, blood pouring from the deep puncture wound in his stomach.
We could heal fast.
So could he.
“Where’s Wade?” I asked him coldly.
He growled back.
I slid into wolf form again and padded closer. She pressed our advantage, darting around him to inflict wounds meant to tire and weaken.
He slashed back, returning the favour when possible.
There.
With no idea which of us said the words, we both leaped for our chance, pouncing to grip the Luther’s throat in our fangs.
Where is Wade? I forced at him.
His laughter rang back. He’s dead.
I smelled the lie but couldn’t help tightening my fangs. His back legs folded, and I shook him roughly.
Tell me now.
If I tell you, I die.
If you tell me, you live.
The black wolf wrenched his body away, and my teeth tore through his fur and flesh. Blood coated our tongue, and we scrambled back in preparation of his attack.
Red spurted from his neck.
He killed himself, I gasped.
The black wolf collapsed in a heap, and I approached warily to stand over him. Pressing a large paw against his bleeding throat, I lowered my head to stare into his eyes.
This fucker couldn’t die without telling me what I needed to know. You will tell me where he is.
I almost jumped at the booming quality to my voice.
Some of the other Luthers skittered back.
Had they heard it too?
The wolf beneath me stilled, and I latched onto the power spreading in my chest.
You are no match for me, old wolf.
The marshal whined, trying to escape, but I didn’t release him from my stare, shoving the power inside at him in waves.
It hurt him, I could tell, and I redoubled my efforts even as I could feel the toll on my body. My energy, or whatever magic made me a Luther, was flooding away.
Like a shattering champagne glass, his mental defence shattered under my onslaught.
We had him.
My wolf rode my voice. Tell me where her Wade is.
The answer came to me in a torrent of images, and I blinked through them, scenting their truth.
Like the snap of a rubber band, I released him. He shuddered as a thick wave of blood pulsed from his neck.
Life drained from his eyes. With a rattling breath, he was gone.
Wobbling on shaking legs, I toppled into a heap.
Ah crap, I said.
Crap, my wolf agreed.
Hands found me and my warning growl snapped off as warmth flooded through me. I stared up at a trembling Sascha.