KELLY THOMPSON'S POV

Panting, the metallic tang of blood in my mouth, I circled Gamma Thorne warily. He was relentless; a testament to the North pack's brutal training regime. His eyes, cold and determined, never left mine as we both prepared for the next bout.

"Gamma Thorne," I began, my voice steady despite the fatigue that clung to my limbs like heavy chains. "This doesn't have to end in more death. Surely we've spilled enough blood for one night."

He paused, his stance never wavering, the ...