Page 75 of Fetch Me A Mate
Rowan released him and stepped back, water streaming from his dark fur. Kael limped toward shore, his pride more damaged than his body.
"Enough."
Max stepped forward, his wolf massive even in human form. The enforcer had always been Danarius's blunt instrument, all muscle and no finesse. His shift was slower than Kael's but more complete, bones cracking audibly as he took his true shape.
This fight would be different. Max's wolf was built like a battering ram, gray and scarred and utterly without mercy. He didn't bother with Kael's dancing tactics. He simply charged.
The impact drove Rowan backward into deeper water. Max's jaws snapped inches from his throat as Rowan twisted away, using the bigger wolf's momentum against him. They crashed into the rocky shore with bone-jarring force.
Max recovered first, his claws raking across Rowan's ribs before he could dodge. Pain flared bright and immediate, but Rowan channeled it into his next attack. He drove his shoulder into Max's side, feeling ribs crack under the assault.
The gray wolf staggered but didn't go down. Instead, he pivoted and caught Rowan's hind leg between his jaws. Pressure built like a vise, threatening to snap bone.
Rowan twisted, accepting the tearing pain as he wrenched free. His leg wouldn't bear full weight, but he could still move. Still fight.
Max pressed his advantage, driving forward with snapping jaws and raking claws. Rowan gave ground, letting the enforcer think he had the upper hand. Then Max overextended, lunging for what looked like a killing blow.
Rowan dropped low and rolled, coming up beneath Max's exposed throat. His teeth found the soft spot behind the jaw, and this time he didn't hold back.
Max's struggles grew weaker, then stopped entirely. When Rowan released him, the enforcer's wolf collapsed onto the rocky shore, breathing hard but alive.
Enough.
The voice in his head wasn't his own. Danarius stepped to the water's edge, his human form pale and perfect in the moonlight.
"Stand down, Rowan. You've made your point."
Rowan shifted back to human form, water and blood streaming down his chest. His leg throbbed where Max had bitten him, and claw marks traced fire across his ribs.
"Have I?"
"You've beaten my best fighters. Proved you haven't gone soft during your exile." Danarius began removing his expensive jacket with deliberate care. "But this was never about their strength. It was about mine."
"Then let's settle it."
"My thoughts exactly."
Danarius's shift was different from the others. Smoother. More controlled. His wolf was silver-white, built like a natural predator rather than bred for size or speed. Every line spoke of intelligence, patience, and absolute confidence in his own superiority.
Rowan's wolf answered the challenge, bones reshaping with violent efficiency. Pain from his injuries flared and faded, consumed by the need to end this threat to his mate once and for all.
They circled each other on the moonlit shore, two alphas measuring distance and weakness. Danarius moved like flowing water, every step calculated. Rowan held his ground, letting his opponent reveal his patterns.
You always were too predictable,Danarius's mental voice was smooth as silk.Charging in when strategy would serve better.
Maybe. But I'm still here.
For now.
Danarius struck like lightning, aiming for Rowan's injured leg. But Rowan had been expecting the tactical move. He pivoted on his good leg, accepting the hit to land one of his own. His claws raked across Danarius's shoulder, drawing blood that looked black in the pale light.
The alpha wolf snarled and spun, jaws seeking Rowan's throat. They crashed together in a fury of teeth and claws, neither giving ground. Danarius was faster, more technically skilled. But Rowan had something the alpha didn't understand.
He had something worth dying for. Something worth killing for.
She won't save you,Danarius hissed as they broke apart, circling again.Your human mate can't protect you from what you are.
She doesn't need to protect me. I protect her.
