Page 60 of The Moonborn's Curse

Taller. Stronger.

A girl who had trained her whole life.

A girl who would make an example of her.

The bigger girl rolled her shoulders, cracking her knuckles, a smirk pulling at her lips.

Seren exhaled, stepping forward, ready.

The moment Garrik gave the signal, Clio moved.

She was fast, but Seren had already learned how wolves were taught to attack.

Seren ducked, sidestepping the first lunge, but Clio was already pivoting, swinging back with an elbow to Seren's ribs.

Seren gritted her teeth from the pain.

This was different.

The first pup had underestimated her.

Clio wouldn't.

Seren had barely steadied her footing before Clio came at her again, this time sweeping her leg out—but Seren jumped back just in time, landing lightly on the balls of her feet.

For a moment, there was a pause.

The others had stopped whispering.

Now, they were watching.

Hagan was watching. She would show him. She would show them all.

Seren shifted her stance, reading Clio's movements, watching the way she favoured her right leg, the way her weight shifted slightly before each attack.

When Clio lunged again, Seren moved first.

She twisted low, ducking under the blow, grabbing Clio's wrist and using her own weight to throw her momentum against her.

The thud of Clio hitting the ground sent a ripple through the students.

Seren tightened her grip. Pinned.

Clio struggled, but it was too late.

Then someone in the crowd whispered

"Witch"

And the whispers started through the tribelink.

"She's using a spell."

"No wonder."

"Show-off."

Hagan didn't want to watch.

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