Page 61 of Shifting the Flame

"—a weak Alpha who would throw away centuries of tradition for a human!" Joni's voice floated through the mill. "Who would choose this fragile, temporary creature over his own kind!"

Asher nodded imperceptibly to Caleb, who melted into the shadows, circling toward where Danica hung. Then he pushed through the crowd, striding into the open with the confidence that had made him Alpha in the first place.

"Is this what you've been reduced to, Joni?" His voice cut through the mill, silencing the murmurs. "Kidnapping? Drugs? Midnight theatrics?"

Joni whirled toward him, surprise flickering across her face before she recovered, her lips curling into a predatory smile.

"Perfect timing. The weak Alpha arrives to watch his human die."

Asher moved forward, commanding the space with each step. Every dragon instinct told him to shift and tear her apart, but strategy kept him human. For now.

"You're making a huge mistake." His eyes swept over the traitors from his clutch, then to the wolves. "Do you really think these disloyal dragons and Delta wolves will follow you after this? The woman I've known my whole life can't be that naive."

Doubt flickered in Joni's eyes, quickly masked.

"The only logical reason they'd back you," Asher continued, his voice lifting to every corner of the mill, "is to use you as a stepping stone. They'll let you do their dirty work, then take you down the moment I'm out of the way. You'll never even see your first sunrise as Alpha."

Reginald, the wolf Alpha, shifted uncomfortably, exchanging glances with two of his lieutenants.

"You can't manipulate me," Joni snarled, but her eyes darted to the wolf shifters behind her.

"I'm not manipulating you, Joni. I'm telling you the truth. Something I've always done. Something Danica has always done." He paused for a heartbeat. "And unlike you, Danica is a true mate. Loyal, selfless, and considerate."

He knew instantly that the insult hit its mark. Joni's face contorted with rage, her skin rippling as scales threatened to break through.

"Well, your precious human mate won't be alive much longer!"

She whirled toward Danica, stalking closer, her body beginning to shift, green scales gleaming through her skin as she prepared to breathe fire at point-blank range.

"I demand Trial by Flame!" Asher's voice thundered through the mill, freezing everyone in place.

The ancient words hung in the air like smoke. Murmurs rippled through the crowd as every dragon present recognizedthe sacred challenge—one-on-one combat for leadership, as old as dragon kind itself.

Joni slowly turned back to him, calculation warring with fury in her eyes.

"You'd risk everything on combat? When I could simply kill her now and show my strength?"

"If you were really fit to lead," Asher said, "you'd respect our traditions. Unless you're afraid to face me alone, without your borrowed wolves to hide behind."

The trap was perfect—refuse, and she'd lose all credibility with the dragons present. Accept, and she'd face him at his strongest, with nothing to hold him back.

A cruel smile spread across Joni's face as she stepped away from Danica.

"I accept your challenge, Asher Ectorius. And when I've broken you, I'll make you watch as I burn your human to ash."

The bloodlust in Joni's voice sent a wave of disgust through Asher's body. Her eyes glinted with malice as her skin rippled, emerald scales pushing through her flesh. The transformation was instant—bones cracking and reforming, limbs elongating into powerful forelegs as her elegant red dress split and fell away. Where the ambitious woman had stood now reared a dark green dragon with golden eyes burning with hatred.

Asher matched her shift with practiced precision, his human form dissolving into crimson scales and massive wings. His dragon form towered over hers, muscled and battle-scarred, his eyes the same fierce green they'd always been.

Keep Danica safe. Nothing else matters.

From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Joni's subtle head tilt—a signal. Before he could react, chaos erupted. Her dragon followers roared and shifted while the wolf pack exploded into fur and fangs. The orderly Trial by Flame dissolved into a full-scale brawl, exactly as she'd planned the whole time.

The conniving bitch never intended to honor the challenge.

His loyal clutch members surged forward to meet the attack, creating a battleground of flames, claws, and thunderous roars. The air thickened with smoke as dragon fire scorched the ancient wooden beams. Panicked townspeople scrambled toward the exits.

Joni charged, her jaws snapping for his throat. Asher twisted, slashing with his claws, catching her across the shoulder. She howled in pain but pressed her advantage, spewing emerald flames that he barely dodged.

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