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He steps closer to Vincent, and I can tell the Alpha is fighting hard against his instincts not to step back. They may both be Alphas, but the difference is clearly showing. Anyone watching can tell who has the upper hand.

Nathaniel whispers to answer him, but somehow everyone can clearly hear him.

“If we wanted to cheat, we would not bother to organize a public fight here and now. If we wanted an easy win, I would have taken my warriors to kill your pathetic lot of dogs the day Nora led us to you. You wouldn’t have a chance to answer back, and you wouldn’t be standing on your two feet.”

Vincent is obviously shaking with fear. The ice-cold look in Nathaniel’s eyes is terrifying, even for him.

“So now, you’re going to be a good boy and let our precious princess beat you all she wants to settle for everything you have done to her. And I can predict you’re going to think this is heaven compared to what my brother and I have in store for you once she is done.”

Being in the middle of a crowd is nothing reassuring. It’s even worse when you know half the people present are wishing for you to get killed. All eyes are directed at me or Nathaniel. I feel grateful to Bobo for standing close to me. His enormous figure attracts attention, and a lot of people seem surprised by his appearance, too. He is almost twice the size of a regular wolf, and those who are there in their animal form are showing signs of nervousness. I would be worried, too, if he wasn’t my bodyguard.

Nathaniel’s threats to Vincent are quite efficient. Some of the Clan’s warriors have started growling, but I also see a lot of them slowly step back. Liam is walking, circling us while growling at anyone who dares to approach this invisible circle. Tonia is standing at the back, arms crossed, and I notice she now has a wireless earbud in, and she’s talking to someone. I wonder who she is talking to.

Now, it’s only me, Nathaniel, and Bobo facing Vincent and his new Beta. Everyone else is watching us, waiting.

“She is just a kid. She won’t win,” says the Beta.

“Shut up,” says Vince immediately, annoyed. “Go with the others.”

His Beta gives me a mean look, but he can’t help but obey. I turn to Nathaniel, too. It’s time. He just smiles at me and turns back to join Tonia. I put my hand on Bobo’s back, andhis green eyes turn to me. I give him a smile. I know he’s reluctant to go.

“Don’t worry, Bobo. Go.”

He lets out a short sound and goes, too, but not without growling at Vincent. He’s so loud, the Jade Moon pack’s Alpha jumps from surprise. If Bobo had Alpha potential, he would be unstoppable... But I guess it’s evident that despite his size and strength, his temper is more Beta-like.

I’m left alone with Vincent. He considers me from head to toe with a sneer. I try to be as unreadable as Nathaniel, hiding my emotions.

“You will regret it, Nora. Did you think you suddenly got big because you have a strong back-up?”

I ignore his remarks. My wolf is growling like crazy, and she’s the only one I intend to rely on tonight. I might lack experience, but I know I’m tenacious and strong-willed.

I wonder if I should take off my sweater now, but it’s still chilly. We both step back to a ten-foot distance between each other and start walking slowly. Everyone tenses up around us, feeling the battle’s about to start. I wish Damian was here. I would be even more confident with him behind me. But he’s not.

It’s just going to be me and you, girl, I whisper to my inner wolf.

I mentally recite all of Tonia and Liam’s advice. Mind the distances. Watch his eyes, the way he moves. I’m weaker, but I’m faster and smaller. Liam told me every weak point I should aim at, for his wolf form and his human one. Duels between werewolves don’t really have rules, aside from being one-to-one, and no weapons are allowed. We can shape-shift whenever we want.

I have tried shape-shifting a few times, and Tonia immediately pointed out my strong point: I can shape-shiftextremely fast. I have to make use of that. Liam said the best outcome for me would be a short fight. I need to take advantage quickly.

We take a few steps, walking in a circle while observing each other. I tried to guess when Vincent is going to attack. Liam predicted that he would take the initiative to launch the first attack. Vincent won’t want this to take long either, as he is worried for his pack.

And he does. I see him suddenly shift his balance and run towards me. Try not to take any hits, said Liam, you are too weak to endure several injuries. I dodge his fist at the very last moment and slide under his arm to stand behind him. I immediately kick behind his knee as Liam showed me.

It works! He can’t help but bend and get on his knee. Don’t miss an occasion. I go to launch my fist, aiming for his jaw, but before I can reach him, I see a leg expanding, and I’m suddenly kicked in my stomach. He pivoted at the last second, and I couldn’t do anything to stop him. I’m ejected a few meters back and fall miserably on the ground. Wow, that really hurts... I feel like throwing up. It’s been a while since I’ve taken such a hit, but Tonia’s advice comes back to mind immediately. Never stay down. I get up, ignoring the pain.

“Are you trying to get killed, Nora? What is the point? Do you think you can be an Alpha all of a sudden and win my Jade Moon pack over like this? Or is it that you want us all killed and at His feet?”

“Do you think you can call yourself an Alpha, Vincent?” I ask.

He looks at me, frowning, confused by my question. I take off my sweatshirt and tighten my ponytail.

“What now, are you going to complain about how we treated you again? Are you playing the pitiful girl now that you have found your wealthier pack to lounge at?”

“I’m not talking about myself. You are weak, unable to make decisions, and ready to bow to other Clans anytime just so you can take it easy. You don’t control your young ones and let them roam freely and unsupervised. You don’t train them. You don’t care about others. You mind your own business as if you were a Rogue.”

“Careful with your words! Don’t you insult me!” He growls.

“Oh, do you really want to have the talk about insults? Mockery?” I shout back.