Page 65 of Destined to Fight

The pack leader crouched low to the ground, circling with Fabian, calculating its next move. Fabian had both swords out now and countered each move the wolf made with precision.

How a wolf had any chance against a sword-wielding fae was beyond Kelly. It seemed like a pointless effort on the wolf’s part.

The animal held its own, though. It was calm and planned its moves well. Unlike the rest of its pack who just lunged at their prey, this one knew how to hunt and fight.

Fabian swung a sword at the wolf and it dodged, barely escaping the blade.

The wolf went for Fabian’s left ankle, but he spun back and to the left to dodge. Fabian brought his right sword down as he spun in the air, catching the wolf’s ear as it passed, slicing half of it off.

The wolf didn’t yelp or show pain. Instead, it snarled and snapped, spitting saliva from its mouth in fury.

What felt like an eternity passed as the two danced in the street. Fabian never made a move to attack the shifter, but rather waited for it to attack before countering with his own strike. His fighting skills were fluid, like those of an artist. He was never surprised, never acted in fear, just calmly reacted to the wolf’s movements.

A burst of power surged through the air, announcing Kade’s arrival. Kelly’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, and the last bit of fear she’d been holding onto left her entirely.

The wolf turned so he could see Kade and Fabian at the same time. He backed away from them, still crouching low. He looked back and forth between the men, trying to judge their intent.

“Come on, puppy, stick around. The party’s just getting started.”

Kade’s fangs descended, and he smiled wickedly at the wolf.

It took a few more steps back, then turned and ran, knowing the battle was lost.

Kade jogged over to Kelly. “Are ye all right, lass?” Worry plastered his face.

She nodded. “Not a scratch.”

She threw her leg over the horse to slide down, and he caught her, hugging her tightly to him.

When he finally loosened his grip, he cradled her face in his hands, amber eyes scanning over her for signs of distress. “Yer sure yer all right?”

“I’m fine, really.” He apparently decided she was telling the truth, and he nodded.

Fabian walked over to the horse and spoke gently to it, running his hand up the bridge of its nose. The horse nodded and whinnied in apparent agreement to whatever Fabian had said.

“I will take him back to the coachman,” he said as he jumped onto the animal’s back.

Kade nodded. “Asmund and Ginna are smoothing things over with him. He will be glad to see the horse alive. I’ll take her back to the house.”

Kelly gave the horse a gentle pat. “Thanks, big guy.”

Fabian was off without a word, and the horse whinnied again as they galloped down the street.

The adrenaline that had been coursing through Kelly’s veins wore off, and she suddenly began to shake. The seriousness of her situation finally sank in, and she realized she’d put them all in danger by going out for the evening.

Kelly focused on her breathing and willed her body to let go of the shock. A few moments, and she was ready to go.

Kade placed his hand at the small of her back, and they headed back toward the house. Kelly had no idea where they were, but she followed his lead.

“I need to learn to fight.”

“Aye, ye do. Let’s just get you home tonight, and we can work on that another day.”

A nod was all she could manage.

“Why can you use your power in public, but everyone else had to appear human?”

“I can only use part of it. The waves of power fall into a sort of gray area, and that type of ability is allowed only when necessary. It’s not visible, so a human could write it off as a fluke. I cannae let them see my fangs, though, nor my ability to fly or move faster in a fight. I had to hide my strength and speed when we were fighting the wolves, too.”

---