Somehow, he’d gained the advantage over the massive black panther. They were in one corner of the arena, and Hawk was on the animal’s back, an arm around its neck, the other squeezing his opposite fist, his muscles bulging as he bore all his weight down on its throat.
He was choking it. Quite successfully, it appeared. It listed and fell sideways, and Hawk squeezed harder.
Leander reached Jenna. He slung his shirt around her shoulders, quickly buttoned it to cover her nudity, then crushed her to his chest. They shared a passionate kiss, ignoring everyone, then the Queen buried her face in his neck.
After a moment she raised her head. Over Leander’s shoulder, she locked eyes with Jack, and it took everything Jack had not to take a step backward.
The Queen turned and looked behind her.
