ll!" Kesha's voice pierced through the morning air, sharp and ve

pable. Kesha stood at the center of the clearing, her piercing green eyes blazing with fury. She was dressed in her usual combat gear, as if she

placed the book she had been reading onto the table. "What now?" she muttered un

turned to Adriana, his face pale. "It's Kesha. She's here... and she'

eyes betraying a flicker of irritation. "Of course it

me. Don't go out there. She's not just angry-she's looking

his pack. She's humiliated me in front of everyone, spread lies about me, and now she's out there s

ould let her get away with it. But fighting her-" He stopp

ding behind Ryan like the weak little pup you've always been!" Kesha's tau

t Ryan. "I'm not hiding from anyone," she said,

nd. Kesha isn't just angry-she's dangerous. She's been training for years

what, Ryan? Defend myself? Stand up for myself? Maybe you t

d away, heading for the door. He cursed under his breath and

-

s rippled through the crowd as they took in her calm demeanor. She

k who finally decided to show up. I was starting to

out flinching. "You wanted me. Here I am. What's your problem this

a snarl. "Don't act like you don't know. You've been cozying up to Ryan, h

First of all, he's not yours to steal. Second, I have no interes

oks at you. And don't think I've forgotten how you humiliated me in front o

firm. "I don't think about you at all, Kes

've had it with you! You think you can just waltz in here and take

arrowed. "You wa

"What's the m

'm not scared of you, Kesha. But if this is how y

happen. Ryan pushed his way through the onlookers, panic written all over his face

on Kesha. The two women squared off, t

a wicked grin spreading across her face.

oice low. "You should

-

and precise. She aimed a powerful strike at Adriana's head, but Adriana d

driana dodged and countered, landing a sharp kick to Kesha's side. Kesha stumb

trickle of blood from her lip. "But

controlled. For every attack Kesha launched, Adriana had a counte

ana to hold her own, let alone fight back so effectively. Eve

of the pack members whis

other murmured. "Adriana w

s different. Her movements were sharper, her reflexes quicker, her streng

ment. She had expected to overpower Adriana easily, but now she was strugg

voice trembling with rage. She shifted into her wo

nd Ryan stepped forward.

voice deeper and more menacing in her w

shock, she shifted as well. Her wolf form was sleek and powerful, her

wavering. Adriana's wolf form was unlike anything they had seen before. T

were on full display as she matched Kesha blow for blow. The clearing became

-

ng heavily. Her wolf form was battered and bruised, and she s

weat. She shifted back as well, her breathing steady. He

d quietly. "I'm not the s

the truth. Adriana had won. The crowd erupte

face a mix of relief and confusi

ession unreadable. "I don't kno