Page 43 of Wolf Sacrificed

The determination in his voice gave me clarity.

You got this, girl!

Thomas twirled on his foot and jabbed at me. I shot my arm out, blocking it.

This was nothing like when Lincoln and I sparred. He’d held back, giving me a chance to learn. Thomas went full force, and it flipping hurt like hell when his fist connected with my forearm.

I cursed under my breath and focused on his movements, watching and waiting. I didn’t have the training to fight someone who’d been doing this their entire life. But I believed in myself and the cause and was determined to win. That had to count for something.

I just had to stay out of range of his punches long enough for him to get a little winded.

That was easier said than done.

He threw a couple jabs, but I wasn’t quick enough on the last one. Thankfully, it only hit my shoulder. Pain bloomed beneath the surface, making me cry out.

Thomas smiled smugly.

This was my opportunity. I threw a right hook with everything I could. It hit him square in the jaw.

My knuckles burned, but I ignored the pain because nothing could take away the satisfaction of seeing that smirk wiped off his face.

I threw an uppercut with my left hand, which connected under his chin. His head snapped back, and he stumbled.

Thomas put a hand to his lip, where blood dribbled out. He smeared it away with his thumb and then growled, racing forward.

I darted to the right, but I wasn’t fast enough. His arms wrapped around my waist as he tackled me to the ground.

The dirt and gravel bit into my flesh when he landed on top of me, hitting me in the solar plexus and knocking the air out of me. My lungs screamed in protest, and for a few terrifying seconds, I couldn’t breathe.

Thomas used this to his advantage. He pushed up so he straddled me and started throwing punches.

I flew my arms up to protect my face. His hits were relentless, pummeling my arms so hard I was surprised they hadn’t shattered. The force kept knocking them into my face.

I had to get out of this. Lincoln and I hadn’t covered this when we sparred, and I had no idea what to do. He was bigger, stronger, and he had the upper hand.

My pulse roared in my ears. I couldn’t lose this fight. I couldn’t. I kicked my feet, wiggling and thrashing.

I screamed at the top of my lungs as outright rage took over. I bucked up as hard as I could, lifting my hips off the ground and turning hard enough to knock him off balance. It gave me the opportunity I needed.

I thrust my palm out and hit the heel of it right underneath his nose. Then I smacked him across the face like the little bitch he was.

It didn’t deter him for long. His hands wrapped around my throat, squeezing; I clutched his wrists, trying to pry them off, but I couldn’t. He was just too strong.

Thomas shoved up to his feet so he was bent completely over me, giving himself more leverage.

I clawed at him with my fingernails, knowing that if I shifted, it would void any win I might get. We’d agreed to fight as humans, which meant no shifting of any kind.

My heart thundered in my ears. My lungs begged for a breath.

I wiggled beneath him, desperately trying to free myself. He was just too strong.

This was it. I was going to lose.

A familiar hum surrounded me, followed by a roar as I connected to my mate.

This wasn’t Lincoln. It was Sawyer, and I could feel his rage. Together, we let out a ferocious growl, and I let him have control.

I slid one hand to Thomas’s wrist, the other to his elbow. Then I hefted my hips up,, tucked my knees between us, and shoved him off me.

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