Page 123 of Fangs and Fudge

As they moved, Shepard reached back, grabbed the neck of his t-shirt, and pulled it off in one fluid motion that had me forgetting my name.

The doors slammed shut behind them, bringing me back to my senses, and I saw MC had removed his shirt too. Barefoot and shirtless, they moved to the center of the dirt floor and faced each other.

“What are the rules?” I asked Doc softly.

“They fight until one concedes or dies.”

I turned to look at him with wide eyes.

“Don’t worry. There’s a reason Shepard’s the head alpha.”

An older man with short white hair stepped into the middle between them and started speaking loud enough that even Vena and I could hear.

“We’re here today because Marvin Cootner, known as MC?—”

“Did he just say cooter?” Vena whispered with suppressed mirth.

The old guy shot her a look. She cleared her throat and quieted.

“—has challenged Shepard Ulv for rights to lead the D.C. pack.” The man looked at MC. “Did you challenge Shepard Ulv’s leadership of your own free will?”

“I did,” MC said clearly.

“The only rule is that there must be no interference.” The man looked at MC again. “You do this alone. Do you understand?”

“Why aren’t you saying the same things to him?” MC asked.

“Son, it’s you I’m worried about.”

Vena smirked, and I saw MC’s gaze dart to her.

“I understand that I’m in this alone,” he said angrily.

The man nodded.

“Then let the strongest alpha win,” he said, stepping back.

It was like a silent gunshot had gone off.

Still in human form, MC lunged at Shepard with a roar. The two collided, and the impact toppled the pair. As they fell, Shepard rapidly hit MC in the ribs.

The deep sound of those solid blows had me cringing.

As quickly as they fell, they rolled and sprang apart. They studied each other, slowly circling, and I saw a flicker of something in MC’s eyes. Like they’d turned gold just for a second.

Shepard smirked at him.

“Already showing your wolf? That didn’t take much,” Shepard taunted.

MC growled softly. “Shut up and fight.”

This time, Shepard launched at MC. He moved so quickly that he blurred. But the sound of them slamming together was unmistakable. I cringed again and saw Shepard on top of MC. While MC hit Shepard’s side, Shepard rained blows down on MC’s face.

I saw blood and turned away to watch Vena instead.

She was smiling until she noticed me looking at her.

“You okay?” she asked softly.

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