Page 87 of Secrets and S'mores
“See? You’re a fraud. An Alpha would never do that,” I declare, my voice rising. “The pack cannot trust a leader who has no respect for our laws and traditions.”
He growls, stalking back toward us. Gritting my teeth, I hold my ground, biding my time until the right moment.
“I challenge you, Orion, for the position of Alpha of Granite Ridge.”
He stops a few feet away, glaring at us. “If you need to learn this lesson a second time, I’m happy to help. When do we fight?”
“Sorry, did you need time for a pep talk? Because I’m ready now,” I drawl, my heart leaping as I hear a few snickers from pack members around us.
“Fine.” He storms away, a few wolves stumbling back in their hurry to get away from his anger.
The entire pack has gathered, and they move loosely with us. Expressions range from disgust to curiosity, but it’s the tinge of hope through the weakenedpack bond that causes me to straighten as we walk toward the center of the street.
Orion stands ready, shaking out his hands like I’m not his first fight of the day. As I stop a few feet away from him, he looks up with a chilling smile.
“I can’t say I’m disappointed. This way you’ll still be begging me.”
A savage growl rolls out from my mate. With glowing eyes, he paces on one side, keeping my packmates back. Jasper stands behind me, his intelligent gaze trained on Orion.
“Ready?” I ask. Fear flashes through my mate bond, my terror mixing with Onyx’s frustration as the challenge begins. He’d give anything to stand in my place, but I’m not powerless.
Flexing my own hands, I prepare to cut this wretch down to size.
Orion moves first, like I expected. He’s fast for someone that large. He barrels toward me, reaching to grab me, and I easily slip aside.
With a wide swipe, I scratch my nails into his forearm, drawing blood. The dried wolfsbane and rowanberry powder under my fingernails won’t incapacitate him, but it should slow him down if it gets into his bloodstream and prevent him from accessing his shift. Hopefully it’s enough to give us a chance.
Jasper shouts a warning and I spin back toward my opponent. His fist flies toward my face and I duck. Shifting my weight, I land a swift kick against his knee.
Orion’s breathing quickens and he lets out a small grunt with each step. It’s working.
He comes for me again and I can’t dodge in time. The strike glances off my shoulder and pain explodes down the nerves in my arm and across my shoulders into my neck.
I stumble but regain my balance quickly. Orion faces me, his stance low and ready, but he doesn’t attack again.
“Are you going to dodge me and hope for the best? Or are you going to try and take my rank from me?”
His words make me flinch. I can’t afford to look weak, but if he gets hold of me, he could kill me in seconds.
“It’s not my fault you’re so slow,” I shoot back, darting forward and swiping at his face with my other hand. His reaction is slower than it should be, thanks to the poison in his system.
Angry red cuts streak down his cheek and across his jaw. His roar shakes my bones. Before I can retreat, he grabs my wrist.
No!
With a twist, he forces me to the ground. My knees splinter, sending pain up to my hips until my entire body is stabbing needles. Tears blur my vision.
Orion’s huge knuckles connect with my cheek, and the world turns white. I gasp for air on the ground. Dirt and rocks embed into my hip and arm, and my hair has slipped its bun, falling around me in a tangle.
Instinctively, I curl over my wrist. Crimson liquid drips onto the dirt, and I numbly realize it’s coming from my nose.
A shadow covers me and I tense, waiting for the kick.
Onyx
Blood sprays from Orion’s hit, and I cannot stand back and watch. Ember lays in the dirt, her eyes squeezed shut. The brute laughs as he stands over her petite form.
With an inhuman snarl, I leap at him. His eyes gleam as he takes me in.
