Page 95 of Storms of His Wrath

“I won’t fight you,” he said quietly. “Not here. Not in your daughter’s home.”

“Youwillfight me,” Papa snarled, steel singing as his blade cleared its sheath, “or you’ll die like the coward you are.”

The attack came without further warning—Papa’s sword slicing through air where Akoro’s head had been an instant before. Only reflexes honed through decades of warfare saved Akoro as he twisted away, his own weapon appearing in his hand.

“Papa, no!” Naya’s cry was lost in the ring of steel on steel as the two Alphas engaged with devastating skill. “Papa, stop!”

They moved with the deadly precision of masters, each strike calculated to exploit weakness, every defense flowing into counterattack. Papa’s blade wove patterns of death through the air while Akoro responded with the same level of attack and skill.

Papa’s blade caught Akoro’s arm and blood bloomed underneath his tunic but within moments, Papa had been cut too.

The incredible speed of their exchange was fascinating to watch. Neither could gain an advantage. Papa’s experience matched Akoro’s raw power, creating a brutal stalemate. They moved too fast, too skilled, each reading the other’s intent with the instincts of born warriors.

“Come,” Mama said, taking Naya’s arm and guiding her from the hall. “Tell me everything about how it happened. I knew he was smitten when he arrived—I could see it in his eyes.”

“Mama,” Naya protested, glancing back at the clashing figures. “Papa will kill him.”

“Will he?” Mama tilted her head, a knowing look spreading across her face.

Naya looked back at them. Papa’s eyes blazed with excitement and fury, the same expression he wore when battling Chief Kardos. He might have started angry, but Akoro’s skill had thrilled him, given him a worthy opponent.

“Your Alpha is very skilled,” Mama said, turning away. “I’m sure half the Lox will be here in moments to watch. Come. Aunt Vic wants to see you.”

She pulled Naya from the hall while Naya craned her neck, trying to ensure neither man was seriously injured. They visited Uncle Torin and Aunt Vic before settling into familiar chairs in the family room. Naya hadn’t reached even the halfway point of her story when Papa and Akoro entered, both bloody and looking oddly sheepish.

Naya jumped up, checking them for serious wounds.

“Your Alpha fights well,” Papa admitted, grudging respect in his voice. “Better than I expected.”

“As do you, Emperor,” Akoro replied, inclining his head. “Your reputation is well earned.”

The acknowledgment between them seemed to drain some of the tension from the air.

Mama shot Papa a scolding look. “I told you to stop sparring at your age, Drocco. You were just fighting the younger Lox warriors this week.”

Papa drew her close, nuzzling her neck and pressing kisses across her face while murmuring in her ear.

Mama tried to stay cross. “Stop trying to... No, Drocco, that’s not going to work.” Soon Mama was giggling and kissing him back.

“Are you hurt?” Naya asked, examining Akoro for real injuries.

Her Alpha was staring at her parents, wonder brightening his gaze.

“Akoro?”

His eyes found hers. “I’m fine. Your father’s anger burned out eventually. We talked. I told him there is no more invasion, and offered the alliance we talked about. He understands that I regret my actions and will protect you with my life. He hasn’t forgiven me for the deaths that occurred during my last visit, but says if I prove myself worthy to you, he can accept that.”

Relief flooded Naya’s chest, tension she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying finally releasing.

“We also discussed your future rule, Naya,” Papa said. He had Mama settled in his lap now. “I understand you have a choice to make.”

Naya nodded, watching his face carefully. “I haven’t decided yet.”

Papa exhaled slowly. “I’ll be honest—it will disappoint me if you don’t succeed me here. But from what I understand, you saved countless lives. As long as you’re making me proud, I can live with that.”

“Well, we need to discuss stabilizing the Wastelands,” Naya said, settling back into her chair. “And what someone from the Omega Compound did over there.”

For the first time since her return, surrounded by family and with Akoro’s warm presence beside her, she felt like she could finally breathe again.

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