Page 106 of King Luna

Viktor sighs, stretching his neck. “Depends on who you ask.”

Annika scoffs. “As in, my mate nearly got himself killed over a stupid fight and I still haven’t forgiven him.”

Viktor rolls his eyes. “Noah would never kill me. He’s way too scared of hurting me to genuinely fight me, which is exactly what happened.”

I stiffen. “Well, it won't happen again. He’s intending to come at you hard in the final battle this year, Alpha.”

Viktor’s eyebrows shoot way up. But then they settle back down. “You’re both buttering me up. I hate that too.”

“I’m not. But it sounds like you’re picturing things panning out differently than I am.”

“Well, from what he’s also been claiming, I’d like to believe he’ll actually fight me seriously this time. That is, if he’ll make it to the top two.”

“He will.”

Viktor’s grin returns. For the first time in minutes, he meets my eyes again. “Oh? You’re so certain he’ll last until then, huh?”

“Viktor,” Annika hisses.

I follow Viktor’s nod to my mate, sucking in a sharp gasp when I find Noah struggling to stand. Wetness gleams on both Alphas’ dark coats—a mix of saliva and blood.

With a hammering heart, I turn back to Viktor, my eyes hot. “You better believe me, or you’re heading in unprepared. He’s been planning to defeat not just you buteveryone.”

Viktor freezes.

Shit. Even though it’s the truth, I thought that’s what he’d want to hear.

Then Viktor breaks into a smile. “Are you just saying that, Luna?”

“No, I’m not. He wants to show the Lycan world that Alpha domination will never be tolerated.”

Viktor’s smile disappears, a sober nod taking its place. “Good. If that’s his reasoning, I better see him actually stand behind it and fight me—to the end.”

I flinch.

Annika’s furious, wide eyes could pierce a hole through her mate’s cheek. “Viktor!? Theend?”

Viktor waves her off, striding away from us. “You know what I mean, Luna. To submission.”

I swallow hard, allowing Annika to take me by the arm to another row of seating on weak knees.

When Viktor storms off in the opposite direction, Annika blows out a slow, angry growl. “Ignore him. He gets all obnoxious right before the last few fights.”

“He doesn’t want to kill my mate, deep down, does he?”

Annika freezes, gripping my shoulder. “No, Luna! Goddess, no. He just... doesn’t want to lose his title. At the same time, he wants to actually earn it, not be handed it.”

“That makes complete sense. Thank you.”

“Of course, mama. No matter what happens, let’s stick together, okay?”

“Okay. I’d love that.”

I nuzzle in closer, desperate for comfort. Annika purrs, nuzzling me back.

In those few minutes I attempted to calm Viktor down, Noah and Tane reverted to snarls. Waimarie can’t sit still, no longer including us in her awareness as worry overcomes her.

I analyze Tane for a clue on how to beat him...

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