Page 172 of Moon Claimed

She turned, furious as she spotted me.

“Rhona. Run. Right now.”

She drew herself taller. “The transfer of leadership is being witnessed. Leave this place.”

The marshal picked up his pace, and I strode forward, throwing off hands pulling me back.

“Rhona, I’m not kidding. Get away from him.”

Looking at the Luther, I saw his sudden smirk. The same as in Water.

With an explosion of cracks and pops he shifted into a black wolf.

The stewards cried out, scrambling over each other to get away. I ran for my sister.

“Run!” I screamed at her.

The black wolf would reach her first. Unarmed, Rhona was turning to race backward to the tribe, but she wouldn’t make it.

I wouldn’t make it to her in time.

Not like this.

My teeth set, and I picked up the pace beyond human capabilities.We need to shift.

You’re sure?

For Rhona?Yes. I’m sure.

She was twenty metres away. The huge black wolf bore down on her as I threw myself headfirst in a spiral, sliding into my wolf form. We hit the ground on all fours, hurtling forward with supernatural speed.

I soared over Rhona’s head and took the black wolf to the ground.

Rolling to my feet, I dodged backward until I stood between my enemy and Rhona.

The other Luthers were here now. Sascha had shifted and charged for me, but wrenched to a halt, gaze on the black wolf.

Hackles raised, Greyson swung his head to me.Daniil has formally challenged you. I cannot interfere. Our lives will be forfeit.

Are you fucking serious?I moved back from the black wolf.I’m not part of your pack.

I’d never heard snarls of the like rip from him. A wall of wolves advanced to separate him from me and the fighting circle they’d formed around us.

Glancing back, I noted Rhona sprawled on the ground and looking at me in horror.

The tribe stared on with the same expressions.

They knew what I was.

Now, I was the monster.

What if I lose?I asked Greyson.

He can choose to spare you. He can choose to kill you.

I knew even as the words left him that Greyson wouldn’t allow that to happen. He’d break tradition. He’d fight to reach me.

I’ll need to spare or kill him?I asked.

---