The gathered wolves formed a wide, silent circle around the cleared space, rogues and Coldridge pack members alike setting aside their earlier hostilities to observe the binding combat with the same solemn attention. Lily found herself pressed close to Selena and her mother, who had recovered enough to stand upright despite her obvious shock, all three watching with matching expressions of dread as Ethan and Vane faced each other across the makeshift arena.
"He's fought Alphas before," Selena murmured, as though trying to reassure herself as much as Lily. "My father's undefeated in formal combat for over a decade. I've watched him train, watched him study opponents' weaknesses for weeks before ever stepping into a circle like this one."
"That's not helping," Lily said, throat tight.
"I
