Page 95 of Midnight Moon
Darkness crept in the edge of my vision, filling me with panic as I was reminded of my near-death experience two nights ago.
Despite my best effort, I stumbled.
Tyler slashed my left flank.
The crowd gasped.
Blood gushed out of the wound. I tried to continue running, but the moment I put weight on the injured leg, I tumbled to the ground.
I wouldn’t let this end without a fight.
Tyler hovered above me. I snapped my teeth and swiped with my front paws. He jumped back, then dove forward and sliced his claws over my chest.
I yelped.
Another bout of fury raced through me.
Instinct drew my pained gaze to the crowd.
That turned out to be a mistake.
Almost the moment I locked eyes with Asher, Tyler made his move.
His sandy fur blurred, and the whites of his teeth registered in my mind right as his massive jaw closed over my throat.
I held my breath.
The crowd did the same.
I waited for the pierce of Tyler’s sharp teeth, bracing myself for the worst, but the Coastal shifter held still. He didn’t release pressure, but he didn’t apply any either.
I wondered what he was waiting for when the horn sounded.
The Coastal Pack heir released me. He threw his head back and howled in victory. Then, he shifted back into skins and continued his celebration, throwing his arms high in the air, and shouting towards the crowd.
The crowd cheered back.
Fear gradually receded. I looked across the field, and I saw Hunter bowed in submission. He must have forfeited once Tyler had me by the throat, bringing the match to an end.
I remained in wolf form, processing just how close to death I’d come. I’d told Asher killings weren’t permitted during the games, but in that moment, I wasn’t sure what Tyler would do. After all, he was working with sorcerers to win. He obviously wasn’t above breaking the rules.
Another wave of emotion flooded my mind.
Once again, instinct pulled my attention to Asher.
His eyes glowed electric blue. For the first time, I noticed Chase. The blond shifter had his arm banded around his friend’s chest, physically holding him back. I realized Asher had one foot on the wood fence, his muscles tensed, ready to leap over it to reach me.
What are you doing?I screamed in my head. Was Asher trying to let every shifter in the crowd know about the bond between us?
Those around the Wilds shifter watched warily. I watched several mutter to one another, no doubt gossiping about Asher’s unusual behavior.
Get it together.I tried to convey the command through my wolf’s glare.
Seconds passed. I didn’t think Asher would relax, but he did. Asher shrugged off Chase’s hold. He straightened his shirt and said something to his friend.
Only then was I able to look away.
I saw Hunter and the others approach the stage erected on the north end of the field. They’d all shifted into skins. I noted the scratches on my partner’s back, but they didn’t look deep.
