Demon
The challenge circle at the heart of Vasquez territory had not been used in Demon's lifetime, its packed earth softened by years of disuse, torches lit hastily along its edge by wolves who'd clearly never expected to see it called into service under their own Alpha's rule.
Ferran waited at its center when Demon arrived, stripped to fighting leathers, his expression carrying none of the uncertainty Demon might have hoped for from a cousin who'd spent his whole life two ranks removed from real power. Confidence sat easily on him tonight, too easily for a wolf gambling everything on a single circle of packed dirt.
"You didn't waste time," Demon said, stepping into the torchlight.
"Why would I? You handed me the opening yourself, cousin. All I did was recognize it faster than the res
