They circled each other like predators sizing up prey. The courtyard had gone silent, every eye fixed on the two Alphas about to tear each other apart.

"No weapons," Gideon said, dropping his blade. "Just wolves and will. Show them what you're really made of without her power backing you."

Darius hesitated. Through our stretched bond, I felt his uncertainty. Not about fighting. About doing it alone when we'd grown so used to fighting together.

"Do it," I said quietly. "Show him what you were ...