Page 68 of Challenged Mate
He means with magic.
“You’re right,” I allowed, but before he could get smug, I added, “but that doesn’t mean I can’t be helpful. I won’t go looking for a fight, but let me be a defender. Post me somewhere. Let me be useful.”
Asher was ready to object.
Chase interrupted before he had the chance, “Blair Hemmings is the Summit alpha heir, Asher. She’s better trained in combat than most of the fighters here. We’d be fools not to use her.”
Was…
Wasthe Summit Heir.
I refrained from correcting Chase as I held my breath and waited for Asher’s response.
The rest of the crowd was just as interested as me. They did their best not to outright stare, but many had abandoned whatever preparatory measures they were taking to see what was going on.
Asher looked around and noticed the distraction he was causing. I was confident that’s why he decided to say, “You will join Chase’s team. Chase, debrief her.” Without another word, he turned on his heel and stomped the direction he came.
I watched as he rejoined the group farthest from where I stood. They were all males, and their brawn surpassed most of the other males scattered throughout the park. Asher stepped into the center of the group’s circle and resumed discussing whatever strategy they’d been in the middle of when I arrived.
As Asher spoke, several of the males met my gaze, but none gave the slightest hint as to what they thought of me and my interlude with their group’s leader.
“We should go,” Chase said, interrupting my observation. I looked at the blond shifter, surprised to see Axel was no longer with us. I glanced around and saw he joined a group of males and females close to the park’s playground. I recognized Jenny. Kayla was there, too.
Chase saw my preoccupation. “Those are the strongest magic wielders in the pack. They’ll strengthen the protection spells and wards around the town.”
I recalled Jenny saying she worked with the pack’s defensive force. As a quarter-sorceress, she had powerful magic. But Axel’s presence within the group confused me.
“I thought Asher was the most powerful sorcerer in the pack.” Why wasn’t he with the magically gifted group?
Chase blinked. “Where’d you hear that?”
“Kayla.”
“Of course.” He shook his head. “Yes, Asher is the most powerful, but he has other skills to utilize in combat.”
“Like what?” What was more powerful than magic? When sorcerers attacked me, nothing except magic could have stopped them.
“His wolf,” Chase replied. His words were punctuated by a series of loud, violent howls.
I spun around and watched the group where Asher stood. One by one, they called upon their wolves. A few stripped out of their clothes first, but the majority let the transformation tear their clothing to shreds.
Large gray and brown wolves stomped along the ground, heading to the forest in the distance, but my eyes were drawn to the massive black wolf in the lead. Though I’d seen Asher’s wolf before, I was still stunned by his incredible height and breadth. I’d never seen anything like him.
Four more groups in the park shifted and joined the four-legged fighting force. I watched them leave. Worry twisted my gut.
Why did Asher lead the offensive force? Shouldn’t that be Axel’s job?
I glanced at the alpha. Glowing green magic flowed over his limbs. The other members of the group wore the same magical sleeves.
Did I imagine it, or was their skin covered with dark, swirling tattoos beneath the glowing power?
“We really should go,” Chase told me.
I nodded and moved to follow him.
I was surprised when we joined Axel’s group of shifters. Didn’t Asher say I was on Chase’s team? Was Chase the leader of this group?
Chase didn’t bother with pleasantries. He looked at Jenny. “What’s the perimeter report?”
