Black spots flicker in my vision, messing me up enough for Ross to heave my weight off him.
We both end up back on our feet, fists raised, eyes wary.The tang of iron fills the air.Blood seeps out of a gash on Ross’s forehead and cheek.I can feel my own spilling from a cut on my brow, threatening to blind me.
As we circle each other, I catch sight of Roderick just over my opponent’s shoulder.
He meets my eyes, his mouth forming two words.Finish it.
Of course, he knows.
I’ve only been playing with Ross.
Each one of my hits has been a few centimeters away from a point that could send the man into unconsciousness.
Because I didn’t want him to black out.
I wanted him to hurt.To know that if he comes for Zoey, this is just a taste of what he’ll get.
Still, Roderick is right.The fight needs to end.
If only so I can go be with her.
The grass is cool under my feet as I slide forward, feigning to the right.He leaps, trying for the high ground.
But I’m not afraid to go low.Dropping to the earth, I roll under his legs and rise up again behind him.Before Ross has time to land and turn, my body is already in motion.
Using his move against him, I swing my leg high, the force behind it as brutal as a hammer.He turns as if we choreographed the move together, placing his jaw exactly where I planned on it being.My foot hits the perfect spot, and his body crumples.
Ragged pants push and pull from my chest, the only sound in the woods with everyone else having gone quiet.
Roderick strides up to the fallen wolf, using the toe of his boot to flip the guy over.
We can all hear the air trickling in and out of his slack mouth.
“Knockout.Warner wins the challenge.If Ross commits the same offense again, he will stand trial.”
Everyone gathered knows what that means.If I, not even the most powerful of the Jameson brothers, took the man down this quickly, no way would he stand a chance against Roderick.A trial would mean the wolf’s death.
A few of Ross’s friends come to collect him.Even though his face still pisses me off, I hope he’ll take this loss with grace.Mainly because I want Zoey safe.But also because my brother shouldn’t have to deal with idiots with death wishes.
But our pack hasn’t had a trial in decades.Even Ross wouldn’t be arrogant enough to stumble into one.
Not after I just handed him his ass.
37
ZOEY
By the timeWarner cuts off his bike, I’m already half naked.
Living a mile away from the nearest neighbor has its perks.It means I can open the front door, wearing nothing but a bra and panties without scandalizing the gossipmongers in this small town.
I need this.Touch.Comfort.Connection.
Maybe combatting the darkness with sex isn’t the healthiest method, but at least I’m not drinking myself into oblivion.
The front lawn is shadowed, but I can still make out Warner’s form as he dismounts.And I can see the way he stumbles to a stop when he takes me in.Next thing I know, the werewolf is running toward me, a triumphant howl ringing from him.The sound has me shivering in anticipation.
Warner tackles me in the gentlest manner.He scoops me up in his arms and uses his momentum to carry us both into the house.My arms circle his neck, and my legs wrap around his waist, clinging as I laugh at his enthusiasm.
