The moment Varkos lunged, the ground seemed to explode beneath his paws.
He moved faster than anything Aria had ever seen.
The massive gray wolf shot toward her like a storm.
Aria barely had time to react.
Her wolf twisted sharply to the side just as his claws slashed through the air where she had been standing.
The impact cracked the dirt.
Marcus shouted from the sidelines.
"MOVE, ARIA!"
Aria was already moving.
Her silver wolf darted across the clearing, paws digging into the earth as she tried to put distance between them.
Behind her, Varkos skidded to a stop and turned.
His golden eyes burned brighter.
Fast, his voice echoed through the wolves' shared mind-link.
Good.
Aria growled softly.
I'm not done yet.
The giant Alpha charged again.
This time she didn't run.
Her wolf spun and launched forward.
The two wolves collided in the center of the clearing.
Gasps erupted from the watching pack.
Aria's claws scraped across Varkos's shoulder.
But it felt like striking stone.
The massive Alpha barely moved.
His jaws snapped toward her neck.
Aria twisted away just in time, his teeth grazing her fur.
The force of his body sent her sliding across the dirt.
Rowan winced.
"That looked painful."
Marcus paced along the edge of the circle.
"She's too small!"
Lena shook her head.
"No."
Marcus frowned.
"What?"
"She's faster."
In the clearing, Varkos stalked forward again.
His massive paws pressed into the dirt slowly.
Confidently.
He wasn't rushing now.
He was studying her.
Aria's chest heaved as she caught her breath.
Her wolf's muscles burned from the impact.
He's too strong, she thought.
Her wolf responded immediately.
Then be smarter.
Varkos circled her again.
The army of wolves surrounding them watched silently.
No growls.
No movement.
Just hundreds of glowing eyes.
The tension was suffocating.
Varkos's voice echoed again in the mind-link.
You fight well.
Aria's wolf lowered slightly.
I'm just getting started.
Without warning—
She sprinted forward.
Varkos's ears twitched.
But this time Aria didn't aim for his chest.
She darted to the side and leaped.
Her claws raked across his back.
Fur tore.
A line of blood appeared.
The wolves around the clearing reacted instantly.
Growls.
Shock.
Marcus shouted,
"SHE GOT HIM!"
Rowan blinked.
"…she actually got him."
Varkos spun around sharply.
His golden eyes blazed with surprise.
Then—
He smiled.
Not with kindness.
With excitement.
Good.
He launched forward again.
This time faster.
Aria tried to dodge—
But his massive paw slammed into her side.
Pain exploded through her ribs.
Her body flew across the clearing.
She hit the ground hard, rolling through the dirt.
Marcus's face went pale.
"Aria!"
Kael's fists clenched.
But he didn't step forward.
Not yet.
In the clearing, Aria struggled to stand.
Her side burned.
Her breathing came out uneven.
Varkos approached slowly again.
You are brave.
Aria forced herself to stand fully.
Her legs trembled slightly.
I'm not done.
The giant Alpha's tail flicked.
You should be.
Then he lunged again.
Aria reacted instinctively.
Instead of dodging—
She ran straight toward him.
Marcus blinked.
"…what is she doing?"
The two wolves collided again.
But this time Aria ducked beneath his chest.
Her claws slashed upward into the softer fur of his belly.
Varkos growled in pain.
The sound thundered across the clearing.
Blood splattered onto the dirt.
The watching wolves erupted with shocked murmurs.
Rowan stared.
"…she's actually hurting him."
Cassian's grin widened.
"Oh she's very interesting."
Varkos spun violently, snapping his jaws.
Aria barely escaped the bite.
His teeth snapped shut inches from her hind leg.
She sprinted away again.
Her chest burned.
Her muscles screamed.
But her wolf felt alive.
Focused.
The giant Alpha turned toward her again.
Blood dripped slowly from his side.
His golden eyes burned brighter than ever.
You're stronger than I thought.
Aria growled softly.
You're slower than I expected.
The insult made several wolves gasp.
Marcus whispered,
"She's trash-talking the Alpha."
Rowan rubbed his forehead.
"I can't watch this."
Varkos suddenly laughed.
Even in wolf form, the sound echoed in the mind-link.
Good.
His massive body lowered.
Ready.
Prepared.
This time the air around him changed.
The playful curiosity was gone.
Now there was only pure Alpha dominance.
Alder noticed instantly.
His silver eyes narrowed.
"He's done testing her."
Kael's voice dropped.
"What does that mean?"
Alder answered quietly.
"It means the real fight begins."
In the clearing, Varkos lunged again.
But this time—
His speed doubled.
Aria's eyes widened as the giant wolf closed the distance instantly.
She tried to dodge—
But his jaws clamped down on her shoulder.
Pain exploded through her body.
Her wolf cried out.
Marcus shouted,
"ARIA!"
Varkos lifted her off the ground.
His massive jaws tightening.
The entire clearing went silent.
Aria felt the crushing pressure around her shoulder.
Her vision blurred.
Her wolf struggled desperately.
Fight! her wolf roared.
With the last of her strength—
Aria twisted violently.
Her claws slashed across Varkos's face.
Deep.
Three sharp lines ripped across his eye.
The giant Alpha roared and released her instantly.
Aria crashed back onto the ground.
The wolves surrounding them erupted in chaos.
Varkos stumbled back slightly.
Blood now streamed down the side of his face.
One golden eye squeezed shut.
The other burned with rage.
Slowly—
He lifted his head.
And looked directly at Aria.
For the first time since the fight began…
Alpha Varkos looked furious. 🐺