Page 45 of Forged Alliances

The wind whistled past him, drying the sweat across his forehead, and his vision tunneled to the sight in front of him. To his brother’s defensive stance as Drew prepared to ram him head-on. Pristine clarity descended, the sort where the entire world slowed around him, where each second stretched and his even breaths cycled in his ear. Where the sun pulsed on him and he sucked in the thick air, drinking the humidity laden with the greenery of his home.

Dax sank into the purity of the moment, his walk across a razor blade.

He baited with his shoulder, and his brother jumped for it, his right arm soaring for the open wound.

An inch away, Dax pivoted around until he swung to Drew’s left side.

His fist snapped out, fast as a quick draw. And with Drew’s wounded elbow, Drew never stood a chance.

Dax’s knuckles slammed into his brother’s temple with force that reverberated up his arm. His brother’s head twisted to the side, drops of blood and spit flying through the air. Drew rocked back and forth on his feet for a half second.

Until he dropped like a stone.

Drew hit the ground with a smack, enough to draw gasps from the crowd. Dax crouched, ready to defend as he watched the still form of his brother, the slight rise and fall of his back a sign the man continued to breathe. Tense seconds passed as sweat crawled down Dax’s cheek, tickling as it dripped to stain his shirt. His heart thundered in his ears, and his shoulders rose and fell with each harsh breath, sending another wave of pain radiating through him with every pull.

Navi’s footsteps drew his attention as she stepped onto the clearing, the crowd so silent each step echoed like rolling thunder. Dax glanced to Drew, who lay there unmoving, and he swallowed, his throat so dry it caught.

Navi stopped in the middle of the clearing, her direct gaze landing on him. “Dax Williams, I hereby declare you the winner. You are the rightful alpha of the Silver Springs pack.” Her eyes softened, and a gentle smile lit the fierce woman’s face. “Congratulations.”

As he turned to greet his pack, the thunder of their roars, howls, and cheers nearly knocked him off his feet.