n't made a decision. Unfortunately, the rumors and gossip ha
"I will destroy her to pieces." Come on. That doesn'
e request. Why? Curiosity, mostly. I wanted to see how well Irene could actual
tely wouldn't want that title myself, though I
on my bed so I wouldn't have to move, when my bedroom door f
exclaimed, trying to discreetly h
ry time I walk in?" he shot back, diving ont
those Cheetos. I could smell
im. He got comfortable and immediatel
But he probably hadn't eaten si
all the way to campus for one lecture?" I laugh
s a glare an
ctures. Our class
ned. "
duation gowns. I'm graduat
re
ears, just like that. He'd been studying business - som
started," I said, half in a d
efore he smacked the back of my head. "
"I just wanted to say it. D
en I get to say 'you've grown so much.'" He pulled
t, he asked, "So - are you think
e and for all. You know how much I love competition, and it's been forever since I've faced anyone worth fighting. But another part of me doesn't
along. "So which part's str
anted to accept - but I didn't want to
eryone else, n
ell him the truth. He waited patientl
id, low. Saying it out loud made me fee
that I nearly lost my balance - which shouldn't ev
it," he said, clapping his hands together.
led over. "Whoa, whoa. Hold on
Might as well," he shru
nsequences-
s either of us. Is that what you're actually worried abo
my matches before - not that it usually mattered whether he showed up. Futu
ts would ne
'll allow when you're part of
the strongest pack in the country just to grab more power." I was scramb
d to. I just had to think
before we leave and explain exactly
with them for power." He answered fast, like he'd a
lying if I said I wasn't dying to see what their pack was like. Barely anyone gets access to their land - y
before deciding on punishment. I'd heard that BlackShadowed Pack
ince the Alpha and Luna," I sighed. It felt impossible
to my ear, making me shove his face
She'll back u
riously? I figured she'd be the first to s
pleased with himsel
get home. I needed you to admit you wanted this, so you'd be ready to conv
e a real fight. He must've noticed how starved I'd been for real
pt getting stronger by the day. I still couldn't wrap my
His timing never ceased to amaze me - like he had an internal clock built for exactly this. I took a breath, gathered my c
over who should knock first. We must've taken too long, be
office today?" he asked, one
nt. He might've raised Jay with love - raised me with love - but
wanted to talk to y
d let us in. Once he was seated
carry the conversation when I was the one aski
ng. "After a lot of thought,
tand the risks outweig
e already worked out some stra
onvinced. "And what, exact
again. I didn't need to look - Kaitlyn's scent fil
I said throug
I've got a mountain of paperwork today, but it'll wa
bout Irene's match request?" Magnus aske
t my expression
ould let her go," she said, res
ouch, comforted kno
ation in the span of a few seconds. He clearly hadn't expected
ink Jayden should go too," Kaitlyn continued, arms crossed. "His
. "You want to send not just one of
he BlackShadowe
world. I could tell every instinct in her was screaming agai
ce to go with Kyra," Jay added, pressing his palms together. "And as for our reputat
inally Kaitlyn. His expression softe
they can handle this?
e pair. Jayden's an Alpha's son, and Kyra's an incredible warrior. They'll have pack members with them, people who'd l
le
me. Will he act
us sighed, turning to his computer. "But first,
a real match, finally on the horizon. Not just any match, either. A match against a female
us reminded us, scrolling. "First - the match takes place on their t
l be primarily Mixed Martial Arts. And finally - the length of y
and. "The length of m
nus replied, leaning back.
idea. "No - it's just that usually, how long I stay s
acks do, honestly," he explained, watching me carefully. "The a
d even open my mouth. I whipped my hea
y too soon!" I sai
get it over with. Isn't that basic
my head into my hands. Still - he had a point, and I wa
glanced at Magnus, fingers alr
week," I said, letti
seat. "BlackShadowe
less gracefully, and jo
er it - like something unexpected, something inevitable, was wai
e for the Blac
she goes to the most dange
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