Page 43 of King of Forest and Fur

“Enough talking!” the first one shouted.

Before the four could unionize, Rehn and Idris had already shifted and lashed out at the two closest to them.

When the other two had finally shifted, they were an even match.

Rehn and Idris had fought so long together that no glances or second thoughts were needed. Idris’s massive black bear barreled into the blonde bear straight ahead, slamming him into the rock wall.

The other bear tried to get the jump on Rehn, but he wasn’t quick enough.

The king was practiced and had remained king against many challengers. One of Drystan’s cronies was nothing.

The red bear ducked, watching the assailant jump over him. When the bear landed, he couldn’t get grounded quickly enough.

Rehn was on top of him sinking his teeth into the traitor’s scruffy neck.

The corridor was filled with growls and raging roars as the bears clashed with each other in a death match.

Finally, Rehn’s jaws found his opponent’s windpipe. He crunched down hard, shaking his head and digging his claws into the shoulders.

Gargled protests stopped but his prey was still struggling with life.

Rehn quickly readjusted his jaws and jerked his head. The other bear’s neck snapped and his body went limp.

The bloody bear began to shift back to the vile human when Rehn heard an agonizing growl.

Idris had been slammed against the wall hard enough that a rock had come down and crushed his paw.

The blonde bear was going in for a kill strike.

Rehn charged the bear straight into the wall, one that had the perfect jagged rock.

A grunt came when his body impaled itself on the sharp edges.

Rehn shifted back and ran to Idris to lift the rock.

The black bear yelped when his paw was free. He limped away for a moment before shifting back.

“You good?” Rehn asked.

Idris held his right hand and slowly wiggled his fingers.

“Yeah, I’m good. Now let’s go get your girl.”

TWENTY-ONE

LEILA

“Do you really think that such a walled-in place is a good idea to practice this? What if there’s a cave-in from a blast?” Leila asked.

She was looking around for books. There were none.

“I thought you said this was your private study? Do you have another room where you keep your scrolls?”

Xanthus had remained unusually quiet since they had descended to this sanctuary of his. Or that’s what he had implied anyway.

Leila couldn’t put her finger on it, but something seemed off. Was he upset with her for leaving the academy?

Before she could ask, she heard the door behind her creak.

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