Page 100 of Chasing Savannah
Mallory rushed to her, her fist extending, Savi grabbed the woman’s arm, punching her in the midsection twice. Mallory back away breathing heavily. She growled and fur sprouted along her arms, her claws coming out. His panther calmed and Carlos took a wary step back, unsure how the cat would react if Mallory shifted.
Savannah smiled and wiped blood from her lip. She charged at Mallory, grabbed her shirt and landed several punches to her face and neck. Mallory grabbed Savannah’s arm, digging her claws into Savannah’s shoulder.
Carlos’ breath hitched and he moved forward. Savannah stepped back and clutched her arm.
Derrick gripped his forearm. “She has it.”
He growled, but paused. Savannah’s pain pushed down their mate bond. He warred with the need to help their mate, knowing it was necessary for her to prove herself. If he intervened now, after the conversation they’d had last night, Savannah would never trust him. Not to mention how much harder it would be for her to retain the Alpha female position.
He stepped back and rolled his shoulders, giving their mate his trust.
Mallory grabbed Savannah’s head and kneed her in the chin. Savannah fell back, landing in the dirt. Derrick growled next to him, but crossed his arms over his chest, the Beta’s body language showing his confidence in Savannah.
Mallory jumped and tried to land on Savannah. His mate had her legs extended, kicking her in the chest, sending her backwards. Savi rolled to the side and stood, blood trailing down her face.
“Fuck,” Derrick whispered.
Snarls went up around the circle when Mallory shifted and charged Savannah. Savi smiled, blood coming from her mouth and she widened her stance. Mallory jumped and at the last minute, Savannah moved out of her path, but stuck out her arm to clothespin the cat. She grabbed the panther around the neck, using her momentum to slam Mallory into the ground. Savannah fell with her, and twisted, elbowing the panther in the back of the head and wrapping her legs around the cat’s neck until Mallory shifted back, choking. Savi stood, her steps wobbly and put her foot on Mallory’s neck, using her other leg to kick her in the stomach.
He snarled, and pumped his fist. God damn, that woman was vicious. Her strength shocked and pleased him.
Savannah didn’t let her up, instead leaning her weight on her neck. “Are we done?”
Mallory struggled, kicking her legs and waving arms to reach Savannah. She raked her nails across Savannah’s calf. Savannah yelled out and stepped back. He cursed. Why would she let her up? No sooner than Mallory stood, Savannah reared back and kicked her in the chest. It sent the woman back two feet, near the jeering panthers watching.
“Are we done?” Savannah shouted over the cheering crowd.
Mallory struggled for breath, hunched into a fetal position. The female nodded her capitulation. They all turned as someone screeched. Savannah’s head was pulled back as Callie snatched the bottom of her braids and kicked the back of Savi’s leg. He moved to intervene, but his mate was quick. Though she’d buckled under the kick, Savannah reached over her shoulder and in quick judo move, tossed Callie, face first, into the dirt. Savannah lifted Callie by her hair and hauled her into a headlock. She punched the woman until her cousins managed to pull her back. Still, his mate struggled to get to Callie, her legs kicking as Brielle held her high. The rough edge of her anger seemed to ignite her power. Everyone in the circle shuffled as that power pushed down the prowl’s link.
Shock blanketed him.
“Shit, if she’s just now angry…” Derrick said in wonder.
It meant Savannah had been playing with Mallory. Damn, they owed their mate an apology. Last night she was right in that he’d assumed she didn’t know how to fight. Every time she spoke of not being strong, he’d attributed it to physical strength. He had a lot to learn about his mate.
He watched the faces change of those who had doubted Savannah, saw the awe on their face in reaction to his mate’s power. Hell, his own panther, already riled from the fight, jumped to the forefront. The circle closed around her, her cousins comforting her.
“Our Fela.” He whispered.
“Fucking right.” Derrick growled.
They pushed through the crowd to get to their mate. She turned and saw them, a smile lighting her face. She walked to them, a confidence in the sway of her hips that hadn’t been there when they first arrived. The fight with Mallory had done something he and Derrick could not do in all their pep talks.
It proved to her that she could hold her position.
He would refrain from jumping on Ryan and his sisters for that alone.
He cupped her face. “How you feeling?”
She went up on her toes and kissed him. Power zipped down his back, little stings that aroused him. He ate at Savannah’s mouth, his panther steps from claiming her in front of God and everyone in the circle.
Derrick hugged her from behind, burying his head in the crook of her neck. Their combined touch raised the power in the circle. His prowl whistled in reaction, stepping closer to the alpha Tribond. Hands reached forward to touch the three of them, each touch adding power until it swelled into the night.
He pulled from their kiss and threw his head back, and exhaled. The prowl link snapped into place, tighter, purer. If given a chance to describe it, he’d be at a loss for words. Pride, elation, and contentment filled him. They all basked in the power, until he felt his mate’s trembles. Her exhaustion registered to him and he lifted her into his arms. She kissed him, but pushed out of his embrace.
“I have to walk out of the circle, Felix.” She whispered.
He put her down and stepped back. She grabbed his hand and Derrick’s. They walked from the circle and into the darkening night.
