Despite that new knowledge, Rain’s heart pounded. Kieran made their fight seem like a savage dance, but the fight was nothing but brutal. They left scratches and bites on each other. Kieran was bigger, but Markus seemed faster. Markus swiped a claw over Kieran’s eyes, but Kieran didn’t avoid the blow. Blood coated half of Kieran’s muzzle. Rain gasped as Markus landed Kieran on his back.
Rain’s alpha didn’t stay down for long. Kieran went for Markus’s throat. Markus got off him to avoid a killing blow. As the fight drew on, Rain realized Markus started to slow down. His blows also seemed to have less force behind them. Kieran didn’t even look worn down.
Hope inflated her chest. Rain’s fears were for nothing. Kieran was going to win. He held the position of lead alpha of the Crimson Maw Pack for a reason. Kieran drove Markus to a corner. Markus’s blood smeared the base of an oak tree. Markus whimpered, bleeding from a dozen cuts and bites.
“Kieran, have mercy on him. Please!” Annabelle entered the circle and fell on her knees, exposing her throat to Kieran. A gesture of submission. The watching werewolves fell silent.
“Annabelle, do not interfere with the challenge,” Scarlettwarned. “Or I will drag you out of there.”
“Scarlett is right. Entering the circle during a fight is punishable,” Damien said. “Leave the circle now and leave Kieran to his rightful judgment.”
“Markus has always been foolish, I know. He might have even consorted with the lead alpha of an enemy pack,” Annabelle said. “But please, do not kill him. Exile him instead.”
Kieran paused at her words. Rain’s heart sank. Her mate seemed to be considering Annabelle’s words carefully. She remembered Markus had trained and grown up with Kieran. Was that affecting his judgment? If Markus were exiled, he could join Felix’s pack. They’d only be pushing their two enemies together.
Rain shook her head. Damien was right. This was Kieran’s decision to make. Kieran wasn’t like Felix in any way. He was strong and noble. Rain would respect whatever decision he’d make.
Kieran stepped away from Markus. He threw back his proud head and let out a howl, which the rest of the wolves echoed. Rain found herself opening her mouth and making the same sound. She could sense his fierce elation and his joy.
“He won,” she told Scarlett, squeezing the other woman’s hand.
“Told you he would,” Scarlett said with a smile. “Go to him, Rain. Stand next to him and let him know you’re proud of him.”
Rain didn’t need to be told twice. She ran into the circle, past Annabelle and right into Kieran’s arms. The moment Kieran spotted her, he changed forms. He looked like he just waded out of a river of blood, but Rain didn’t care.
Was it in Rain’s imagination, or did the wolves start cheering for them, for her?
“Tonight, I have shown all of you that I am fit to remain aslead alpha of this pack,” Kieran said. “I know many of you have questioned some of my decisions lately, but I continue to stand by them. I picked Rain as my mate, knowing she will stand by me and this pack.”
The watching werewolves cheered, yipped, and howled. Whether they were still high from watching the fight, Rain didn’t know or care. For the first time since she arrived here, she felt acceptance, like she finally belonged there. Kieran looked at Annabelle. He gave Rain’s hands a squeeze and then let them go to address Annabelle.
“Annabelle, swear your loyalty to me once more, and I will forget that you have sided with Markus. The pack doesn’t need to lose two enforcers tonight,” Kieran said.
****
Shocked murmurs came from the other werewolves. They probably assumed Kieran would send Annabelle to exile, along with Markus. Some werewolves might even consider his act of mercy a weakness, but Kieran knew few would have the balls to actually issue a challenge to him.
“Kieran, my loyalties remain with you and the pack,” Annabelle said.
A growl made Kieran whirl. Markus no longer lay slumped against the tree. The other alpha must’ve found a sudden burst of energy because he sprinted back into the circle. It wasn’t Kieran he charged at, but Rain.
Fury filled Kieran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Rain and he were mated and shared a life-force. Markus knew if he killed Rain, Kieran would follow her into death.
“Markus, no!” Annabelle cried out. “What are you doing?”
Kieran bolted for Rain, shifting along the way. His stubborn mate couldn’t seem to move. Kieran would get there far too late. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Scarlettshifting, going after Markus as well.
Fear took hold of Kieran, but he kept running in the hopes of reaching Rain in time. It couldn’t end here. After all the trouble he went through to acquire her, he couldn’t lose her so soon.
Rain must’ve finally gotten to her senses. Instead of running, she dropped to the ground and rolled out of Markus’s way. Smart mate. Rain probably knew she couldn’t outrun Markus.
Markus came to halt, nostrils flaring. He reminded Kieran of an enraged bull incapable of seeing reason. Kieran came at Markus at the same time his sister did. He had been willing to spare Markus’s life for Annabelle’s sake, but not anymore.
Scarlett brought Markus to the ground, holding him in place for Kieran to rip out his throat. It happened in a couple of seconds. Markus’s glazed eyes stared back at Kieran. Scarlett released him, and Kieran spat out the chunk of flesh in his mouth.
Rain came running toward him. She fell to her knees and hugged him close. Kieran returned to human and pulled her close, running his fingers through the silken strands of her hair.
“Kieran, I don’t know what came over Markus in his last moments,” Annabelle said, tentatively approaching him. Scarlett let out a warning growl, making Annabelle pause.