Page 76 of The Wolf's Prince
“No way,” Soren agreed.
“It doesn't matter,” Nikolai said, reaching out and taking Soren's hands in his own. “You just have to want it more. Maybe it felt like he was stronger last week, but it didn't look that way. It looked like either of you could have won.”
Soren took a shaky breath.
“Think of me. Think of Jin. And Anzu and her pups.”
Soren nodded.
He glanced toward the hanging curtains, the light growing beyond.
“It is time Nikolai.”
Nikolai nodded, allowing Soren to lead the way.
The sun was still below the horizon, but people were already gathering.
Soren could feel nervous energy emanating from Nikolai as they arrived. As soon as they did, Botan and Enkai nodded to him and departed in the direction of the chains.
There was a tense silence in the air as they waited and Nikolai's hand held his firmly all the while. Soren knew he wouldn't let him go until he absolutely had to.
Kamon’s form finally appeared, being led by the chain he still wore. Behind him, Eri was also led.
Kamon’s gaze was dark, purple circles were clear beneath his cold eyes and altogether, he appeared bedraggled and tired.
For a moment, Soren regretted that fact. He did not want to participate in an unfair fight.
But at the same time, it eased a touch of his fears.
If Kamon wasn’t in his best condition, then Soren had a better chance of defeating him. And he would take any goddess-given advantages that were presented to him.
Kamon came to stand in front of him, leaving plenty of space between them, but his glare was so hot that Soren swore he could feel the heat from it.
Finally, breaking eye contact, Kamon turned his attention to Nikolai, a sneer marring his features.
“You all have made your position clear. Choosing ahumanover your own kind,” he spat. “When I am pack alpha, you will know how I truly feel about it.”
“Better a human than a wolf with no honor,” Soren snarled, automatically pulling Nikolai behind him.
He wanted to protect his mate from everything, even hateful eyes. Kamon did not deserve to lookat Nikolai’s precious face.
“Enough of this,” he spat. “There is nothing left to say between us, not until I am pack alpha and I can truly tell you what I think of you.”
Kamon’s gaze flashed with anger and that was all the warning Soren got before he was lunging through the air, still in human form, but with his long claws extended.
Soren threw himself back, more to push Nikolai away than to save himself from the slash that Kamon offered.
Nikolai shouted, maybe even fell when Soren hit him, but he couldn’t look back to see because Kamon reached Soren then, slicing into him, although probably not as deeply as he’d intended.
Soren did not have a moment to even look at the wound on his arm because Kamon swung out again.
Using his reflexes, Soren ducked out of the way and then again, and then again at Kamon’s unrelenting strikes until his claws landed again, this time digging into Soren’s chest.
A surge of blood gushed out as he yanked his hand back. This time when he swung again, satisfaction in his gaze, Soren caught him.
He extended his claws, digging them deeply into Kamon’s wrist. Then caught the other as it was swung at him, giving it the same treatment, and then, just because anger was flowing through him more than his own blood, Soren dove forward, latching long fangs into Kamon’s shoulder.
Kamon cried out. Around them, people were shouting encouragement—all to Soren—and confidence surged through him. He bit down harder, with as much strength as he could in human form, barely able to hold his wolf in when blood touched his tongue. Then, fur burst in his mouth, and his hostage shifted in his hands and teeth.
