Page 36 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
His words gave Auslin hope. “Does that mean the men have accepted him fighting alongside them?”
The general made an indecisive noise. “There are still some who distrust him and attempt to abuse him verbally, despite my efforts to curb such behavior. But I must confess, I am impressed that he never gets angry or retaliates.”
After the tiger shifter defeated the bear shifter, it was Maseo’s turn to enter the arena to face off against the winner he had been speaking with earlier. Auslin was eager to see Maseo in action. The half-wolf shifter moved into the arena with confidence, his green eyes focused and alert as he took his stance. The tiger shifter towered over him, all bulk and brawn, yet Maseo showed no fear. Kitsuki’s ring was missing, which made sense since it wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a real attack and sparring.
When the match began, Auslin’s breath caught. Maseo moved with nimble precision. There was an artistry to his fighting style, which was economical yet beautiful, using his opponent’s strength against him. Each step seemed calculated, each strike purposeful. Sweat gleamed on his skin, highlighting the contours of muscle beneath his uniform as he defeated his muchlarger opponent, sending him crashing to the ground without a weapon.
The tiger shifter accepted Maseo’s helping hand to stand up, then dusted himself off. “Shit, you’re not fucking around, are you?” They shared a laugh before the tiger shifter shook his head in amazement. “I’m going to kick your ass next time, you hear me?”
“Good luck with that,” Maseo joked, causing them both to chuckle again. His voice carried a confidence Auslin had never heard from him before.
“I had no idea he was such a good fighter,” Auslin said in amazement, his gaze lingering on the lithe strength of Maseo’s defined arms.
“His skill will be a huge asset to us when the time comes,” Jaega replied with an approving nod. “His fighting prowess also helped win over some of the more reluctant warriors. The other commanders were finally convinced when Maseo divulged secrets about the defense of Nasume’s castle to Kitsuki.”
“I’m relieved to know that he’s doing well. I was worried.” Auslin’s gaze followed Maseo as he moved to the edge of the ring, taking a drink from a water flask. He watched the way the half-shifter’s throat worked as he swallowed, noticing a drop of water escaping to trail down his neck.
Jaega looked down at Auslin with fondness. “You did a good thing, Auslin. When most would have left him for dead or hastened the process by finishing him off, you saved him because you saw a goodness in him that most people have no interest in acknowledging. You can rest assured, Maseo is fighting hard to repay that kindness.”
Since Maseo was the winner, he had to face off against the next challenger, but he didn’t even look winded after taking down his much bigger opponent. He stretched his arms above his head, causing his training tunic to ride up, revealing his toned abdomen and making Auslin feel like he was getting a glimpse of something he shouldn’t.
A dragon shifter with black hair and yellow eyes strutted toward Maseo with an air of sensuality. “I can’t wait to get you under me, pup,” he purred before launching into an unexpected attack.
Auslin held his breath as he watched the two men grapple, his heart racing as Maseo dodged the dragon shifter’s grasp. “Who’s that?”
“Bitris,” Jaega replied. “He is one of our best fighters. He stays in the same barracks as Maseo, so they have become good friends.”
Auslin barely heard him. His attention was locked on the two men circling each other in the sparring ring, the air between them charged with something deeper than mere competition.
Maseo had moved with decisive speed in his last bout, but now his steps were cautious and measured. He watched Bitris, waiting for an opening. His body coiled with tension, every muscle alert and ready. The intensity in Maseo’s eyes and the determined set of his jaw captivated Auslin.
Bitris was in no hurry. He rolled his shoulders to loosen them, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. His golden eyes never left Maseo, gleaming with an interest that made Auslin’s stomach churn with feelings he didn’t understand.
Maseo struck first, darting forward with a jab. Bitris stepped out of reach with an amused expression. When he countered, his movements seemed more about capturing Maseo than defeatinghim. His hands reached for Maseo’s waist and shoulders, as if seeking to possess rather than subdue.
But Maseo escaped each time, his body moving with a grace that held Auslin spellbound. He shifted his weight to launch a feint before pivoting into a kick aimed at Bitris’s ribs. Again, the dragon dodged, letting the strike pass inches from his skin. As Maseo withdrew, Bitris reached out, his fingers grazing the half-wolf’s wrist in a touch so light it could have been a caress.
Auslin clenched his jaw. That wasn’t an evasion; it was taunting. It almost resembled seduction disguised as combat, which didn’t sit well with Auslin.
Maseo’s next lunge was more aggressive as his arm snapped toward Bitris’s throat. Bitris caught him, but not with the brute force of his larger frame. Instead, he turned into the momentum, guiding Maseo forward and embracing the half-wolf shifter from behind in a crushing grip.
“Mmm, this is nice.” His arms tightened around Maseo’s chest to pull him flush against Bitris’s body.
Auslin’s breath hitched at the sight. The position was too intimate, too possessive. A flash of what it must have looked like when Kitsuki had tested Maseo’s skills upon their arrival in Tiora invaded his thoughts. He could picture Kitsuki’s powerful body pinning Maseo down, both of them breathing hard, sweat-slicked and?—
He shook his head, alarmed by the heat surging through him at the unbidden image. Why was he having such strange thoughts?
Maseo’s elbow connected with Bitris’s ribs, breaking Auslin from his inappropriate reverie.
The dragon wheezed as he was forced to release his captive. “Ah, rejection.” His golden gaze flickered over Maseo with undisguised hunger. “You know resisting me only makes me want you more.”
Auslin’s hands curled into fists. Why did Bitris’s interest in Maseo make his blood boil?
“Stop toying with me,” Maseo growled at his opponent.
Without warning, Bitris moved to strike, his earlier teasing gone. He forced Maseo into a rapid exchange, their limbs tangling in grapples and dodges, feet scuffing against the dirt. Bitris used his larger frame to his advantage, trying to corner Maseo, angling his body to push him back with every movement.
The dance between them was mesmerizing as Bitris’s predatory intent confronted Maseo’s controlled power. Auslin couldn’t tear his eyes away, couldn’t ignore how his breathing quickened in response.
