As he approached the makeshift arena formed by the circling pack members, Nick stepped forward to greet him.The temporary pack leader’s face was impassive, but Malcolm caught a glint of… Was that concern in his eyes?
“You ready for this?”Nick asked, his voice low.
Malcolm nodded, rolling his shoulders to loosen them.“Born ready.”
Nick’s lips twitched in what might have been a smile.“Just remember, this isn’t just about brute strength.Larissa’s—”
“Crafty.Yeah, I know,” Malcolm finished for him, a hint of irritation creeping into his tone.He didn’t need reminding of Larissa’s strategic mind.It was part of what made her such a formidable opponent…and such an intriguing woman.
Nick clapped him on the shoulder.“Okay, then.Take your place.”
Malcolm moved to the center of the circle Nick had sketched out in chalk on the ancient stone beneath his feet, a reminder of the power of pack tradition.
At least this time, no one was likely to die in the ring.
Across from him, Larissa stepped forward, her chin held high.
For a moment, their gazes locked, and a jolt of…something—Respect?Attraction?Challenge?Maybe all three?—hit Malcolm.
He pushed the confusing tangle of emotions aside.
Nick’s voice rang out across the mesa top.“The rules for this combat challenge are simple.You’ll begin with hand-to-hand combat.At my signal, you’ll shift to wolf form for the second phase.The bout ends when one of you yields or is pinned for a count of five.Any questions?”
Malcolm shook his head, never taking his eyes off Larissa.She did the same, her gaze steady and unflinching.
“Then begin!”
They started circling each other, the wind whipping around them adding to the tension.Malcolm kept his stance loose, ready to react to whatever Larissa might throw at him.
She struck first, a quick jab he barely managed to dodge.Malcolm grinned, adrenaline surging through him.This was what he lived for.
He countered with a swift kick, which Larissa blocked with her forearm.The impact sent a satisfying jolt up his leg.They exchanged a flurry of blows, neither gaining a clear advantage.
As they grappled, Larissa’s scent washed over him.
The feel of her body against his sent an unexpected shiver through him.She was all lean muscle and surprising strength, her skin warm and slick with sweat.
The momentary distraction cost him.Larissa hooked her leg behind his, nearly sending him sprawling.Malcolm stumbled, regaining his footing mere inches from the mesa’s edge.The sheer drop beyond sent a spike of adrenaline through him, sharpening his focus.
“Getting sloppy,” Larissa taunted, a hint of a smirk on her lips.“Distracted?”
He growled in response, lunging forward.This time, he managed to grab her arm, using his superior strength to flip her over his hip.Larissa hit the ground with a grunt but rolled away before he could pin her.
They circled again, both breathing heavily.Malcolm could feel the pack watching them, could practically taste the tension in the air.This wasn’t just a fight; it was a demonstration of their fitness to lead.
“Getting slow in your old age?”Larissa feinted left.
“Your right hook’s improved since you gave me that gap in my baby teeth.”He dodged her jab smoothly.
“You deserved it.You put a frog in my desk.”
“It was a toad.And you screamed so loud Ms.Everett dropped her coffee.”He grinned at the memory, nearly missing her swift kick.
“I didn’t scream.I tactically retreated.”Larissa spun away from his counterattack.“Like you did when I caught you practicing your alpha speech in the bathroom mirror.”
Malcolm’s surprise gave her an opening.She struck, but he caught her wrist, pulling her close.“I wasn’t practicing an alpha speech.”
“No?”Their faces were inches apart.“What were you practicing, then?”
