Shadow Mate - Jen L. Grey Page 0,75

trust would tell me everything.

"Simon, I really don't think this is a good idea." Micah put both hands on his head. "I know what he said, but it can't be as bad as they're making it out to be."

Simon growled at Micah, but his focus never left me. He charged me again, this time going straight for my throat.

I stumbled back and ducked, his mouth just barely missed me. Shit! I had only fought with my brother, and I’d always purposely let him win. While the heirs were raised and trained for this very thing. If I survived tonight, it was going to be a miracle.

He stumbled a few steps, so I knew I had to strike now or never. I turned and jumped as my stomach roiled. I had never wanted to have to fight like this. My teeth caught the upper part of one of his forelegs, and instead of latching on, I thrashed through his skin, tearing it so it wouldn't easily heal.

A howl filled the air as he turned around and limped toward me. His amber eyes were full of hatred that seemed to make his sandy blond fur all the more menacing in the dusky light. "Mia, you need to go." My brother's voice was weak, but his panic made it more audible.

I wanted to say 'Do you really think I would leave you? You’re my brother,' but I couldn't. I could only speak to Liam this way. The bond with your mate was special, a unique type of magic meant for only fated. With your other pack members, you could only mind link with them in wolf form.

Simon bared his teeth with my blood still dripping from them and stared into my eyes.

This was it; I couldn't win. I had to do a lot more than fucking weight lift during endurance. However, I was up for an alpha match. We’ll see who looks away first. I kept his gaze, and his eyes began to twitch.

Not wanting to succumb to me, he jumped right at my body.

I stood up on my hind legs and used my front paws to push him away from me. Somehow, he hit the ground with a thud.

If I didn't take advantage now, there was no way I was going to be able to survive this. I ran over to him and growled, staring him down. I pawed at the ground, ready for him to charge.

As he slowly stood back up on his four legs, he ran toward me at full speed.

I charged him as well, and right before we were about to meet, I crouched down, causing him to land on my back. At the same time, I lifted my body up, making him crash into the ground once more. I turned around and dropped my body on him, making sure I dropped all my weight onto his injured leg. I desperately needed to injure him before he could take me down completely.

Micah just watched the fight go on before his eyes. It was a relief since I knew I couldn't take on both of them, especially at the same time.

Simon pressed his paws into the ground as he ran at me with his head lowered. Before I could react, he steamrolled me across the clearing and straight into a large tree trunk.

It felt like I'd been run over by a truck, but it was his pure alpha strength. I took a deep shaky breath, and a wolfish smile filled his face.

"Shit." Micah ran a hand through his hair. "I don't think this is the way to go. If Liam turns on us, there won't be a council. It's part of the oath after the overseer died. There has to be four, and they have to be the firstborn."

That was long enough to make Simon pause and glance at Micah, so I turned toward him, latching my teeth ever so slightly into his neck.

He tried pulling away, but I held firm, digging my teeth in even farther. The metallic taste of his blood coated my mouth.

He tried jerking away, but I wouldn't let him. He used his legs to try to kick me off, but I’d messed his shoulder up, so there wasn't much strength behind it.

I don't know how long we stayed that way, but soon I heard Liam's footsteps running in our direction.

Simon growled again as he jerked as if he was desperate to try again.

I growled and forced him onto the ground.

When Liam was less than a