War of Hearts(121)

“I deserve to make the choice to fight him.”

Her mate studied her for so long, she worried this argument would end badly. However, he put his coffee cup on the counter to free his hands. His arms slid around her waist and he sighed, long and deep. Bending his head, he rested his forehead against hers. “That was a pretty good speech.”

Hope bloomed. “Meaning?”

He raised his head to look into her eyes. “I willnae stand in your way if you want to take the Challenge to Richard, but he may not agree. He might choose to fight me instead. But if he does agree, you must promise to make it fast. Dinnae make me endure watching a long battle.”

She agreed.

And so did Richard.

The smug, cowardly, son of a bitch was obviously terrified of facing Conall because when they met at the Coach House to put Thea’s Challenge to the Canids, Richard had jumped all over it. Even if it was out of the ordinary for them to fight in human form.

He thought he would kick Thea’s ass.

Watching him stride onto the beach while Peter and Sienna Canid and their wolves took their spot next to Conall, Callie, and James, Thea sneered. Richard was looking at her like he was about to gobble her up. He strutted with arrogance as he walked back and forth in front of her, kicking up sand.

There was a niggle in the back of Thea’s head that had her wondering if she was overconfident in her abilities, considering this would be her first time fighting without her fae strength.

Yet, she knew she couldn’t let those doubts cloud her mind.

She had to believe she would put Richard on his ass.

After all, the pack had come out in force to see what she was capable of.

Last night in bed, after another torrid few hours of lovemaking, Conall had talked to her about her alpha aura. It was the energy she felt from Conall, and she had it too. He’d coached her through connecting to it and pushing it out into the room so it encapsulated everything around her.

Thea did it now, channeling it toward Richard and the pack. She felt it, like extended hands, pushing against all their shoulders, as if to force them to their knees. The pack trembled against her, but their excitement levels rose. Whereas Richard … well, Thea watched the smugness flicker out of his expression as he strained against her energy.

She smirked at him as if to say, “Yeah, I’m kind of a badass.”

He snarled.

As lead warrior, Callie strode forward. “Alpha and Pack MacLennan, Alpha and Pack Canid, we’re here to witness the Challenge between Thea, Alpha Female of Pack MacLennan, and Richard, Son of Alpha Canid. Richard Canid,” Callie spoke, keeping her expression impressively neutral, “Thea MacLennan charges you with assault, kidnap, and causing danger to Pack MacLennan’s safety. Do you answer the charge?”

“I do,” he bit out, glowering at Thea.

“Thea MacLennan”—Callie turned to her, her eyes now burning with pride—“you challenge Richard Canid to a fight of submission only, is this correct?”

“Yes.” Thea nodded at her.

Callie’s eyes said, “Then kick his arse,” but her mouth addressed the crowd. “Let the Challenge begin.”

She stepped out of the way just as Richard shot toward Thea.

He was not fast. Okay, he was faster than a human, but lumbering for a wolf.

Thea easily sidestepped his running punch.

Richard made a feral sound, whirling to face her, and then he did what all dishonorable bastards would do. He grabbed a handful of sand and flung it at her eyes. Blinking against the sting of the salt, Thea heard the crowd hiss seconds before she felt the blinding punch. Pain shot up her cheekbone as she landed on her back, and she had seconds to realize Conall had been right. She felt pain like she hadn’t felt it before. Her face was goddamn throbbing, and she was discombobulated.

Suddenly Richard was straddling her, his hands around her throat, his face dark with intention.

Fight to submission, my ass.

Rage flooded Thea as she grabbed one of his wrists and although it took a lot more from her than before, she still snapped that fucker. He bellowed in pain and fell off her into the sand, clutching his broken wrist to his chest. Thea kicked out with her legs and flipped up onto her feet with ease.

Yeah, she wasn’t fae but she was still epic. She had to believe that if she wanted to win this fight.

“That’s one of my favorite moves. I do enjoy a good wrist snap,” she said casually as Richard struggled to his feet, hatred blazing in his eyes. “Do you submit?”

He lowered his useless left hand. “I will make you pay for that, you mongrel bitch.”

Thea heard Conall make a primitive noise of warning behind her. “Sticks and stones, Canid.”

He came at her again and swung a punch with his good arm, but Thea ducked and spun so she was behind him. With agility and speed, she slammed her foot into the back of his knees. Richard hit the sand on his bad wrist and growled before rolling up onto his feet.

Enjoying his frustration, Thea danced on her toes.

“Stop playing, Thea,” Conall demanded from the crowd. “And end it.”

She turned to smirk at her mate over her shoulder and sensed the shift in the air as Richard attacked while she wasn’t looking.

Thea may not be fae anymore, but her awareness of her surroundings was still otherworldly. It was the reason she knew exactly the moment Richard was within reach without even looking. Eyes on Conall, she shot out a hand, making purchase with Richard’s throat. She squeezed and turned to him. He’d momentarily frozen in shock at being caught when he thought she wasn’t paying attention.