Arden's / Aria's POV
The dueling ground was a circle of packed dirt. It looked simple. But it felt like a cage. I stood at the edge. My hands were cold fists. My heart beat too fast. It was hard to breathe.
Kai stood on one side of the circle. He looked strong. His shoulders were back. His eyes were focused. He looked like a king. My king.
On the other side stood Malrick. He was bigger than I remembered. His dark furs made him look like a beast. His eyes were cold. They swept over the crowd. They found me. A slow, ugly smile spread on his face. It was a promise of pain.
Head Alpha Torvin stood between them. His face was grim. He spoke the old words. The rules of the Blood Claim Duel. I did not hear them. All I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears.
Then it began.
They moved at
