Two hours.
I had two hours to prepare for a fight against someone who'd been planning this for weeks.
Maria was already pulling out fresh combat gear when we got back to my suite. "This is insane. You just finished the Compassion Challenge. You're emotionally drained, physically exhausted, and your rib from Jake—"
"Is mostly healed." I stripped off the white dress. "Werewolf perks."
"Sophie." Christian's voice was tight. "You don't have to do this. I can refuse the challenge on grounds that it's—"
"You can't refuse. Elder Sarah made that clear." I pulled on the fighting clothes. "And honestly? I'm tired of Vanessa's games. Let's end this."
"She's been training for this," Connor said from the doorway. "I asked around. Vanessa's been working with warriors from other packs
