Free NocC 018 - Kristin Miller - Forbidden by Fate - Harlequin 2012-07 by Nocturne Page B

what the hot springs meant to the queen.

    He didn’t have time to ask.

    Out of the corner of his eye, Damon spotted Kenyon pushing through the mist on the far side of the largest spring. Two large werewolves flanked him, their muscles twitching and flexing in anticipation.

    One wolf was gigantic, with splotchy blue fur, a wide, drooling mouth and a clunky stride. The other was slightly smaller and sleek, though no less menacing than the first. It had shiny black fur, thick paws, a narrow nose and razor-sharp fangs. Damon bet it moved as quick as lightning.

    He knew which one he’d need to watch out for.

    Large wolves were stronger, but they couldn’t get a bead on him. Smaller wolves were faster and deadlier, able to strike in flashes of fury. Though he’d never been caught off guard in a fight, the slick black wolf likely had the ability to do it.

    He could tell from its long, stealthy stride. It moved low to the ground, slowly, like it didn’t want to be seen at all.

    “Queen Elixa,” Kenyon boomed, stopping on the opposite side of the spring. “You’re just as scaly as I remember.”

    Her royal façade remained fixed. “And you’ve matured into a pudgy little puppy, haven’t you?”

    “Mind if we get this show on the road?” Damon said, stepping in front of the queen, cutting their foreplay short. “I’ve got somewhere to be in an hour.”

    Laughter rumbled from all around them. Wolves were everywhere, hanging from the mountain, emerging from the mist, all salivating for a Were victory.

    Was Sasha among the pack somewhere high on the mountain, looking down on him? Knowing Kenyon and his power trips, he probably forbade her to watch. Damon couldn’t help but wonder what would’ve happened to them had her father not been in the picture.

    “I don’t mind speeding this up at all,” he growled. “Whether you’re dead in a minute or an hour is of no consequence to me. Shall we go over the rules so you can’t claim ignorance as a fault?”

    Damon stepped forward. The dopey-looking wolf crouched low, ready to spring, while the other, sleeker wolf shifted its eyes back and forth between them. Almost like it was eager to get started.

    “I know the rules.” Damon stepped closer still, peering through the thickening mist. “Two shifters step onto neutral ground, only one steps off.”

    “Fight to the death,” Kenyon said.

    “Right.”

    “We’re ready.” With a growl, the Alpha pulled back his shoulders.

    “That’s great that you’reall ready, but only one of you can fight.” As Damon knelt on the ground, letting the familiar shifting spasms roll through him, Queen Elixa fell in line with the rest of the pack.

    “If you’re on this ground when I’m finished shifting, Kenyon,” Damon said, stealing a last glance at the Alpha from beneath his brows. “I’m coming after you.”

    “I await the day.” He whispered something to the smaller of the two wolves before retreating onto Were territory with the burlier, splotchy one.

    Oh, so the sleek one was the deadliest. Damon had been right.

    Damon stepped out of his jeans, tossed aside his cloak and hung his head low. With a loud snapping sound, his wings exploded from his back. They unfurled, bulking up. He stretched them to their fullest with a quick flap and then shook a heavy coat of scales down his body.

    Despite the fact that he was about to kill his second wolf of the night, Damon didn’t feel as powerful as he had before, when he was lying in bed with Sasha. His muscles were firing hot, ready to strike. His legs were light, and adrenaline was worming its way through him, pumping him up for what was to come.

    Even so, Damon couldn’t help but feel like this wasnota new beginning with the rest of his clan at Castle Arcane—this was the end.

    A definitive end to the possibility of a life with Sasha.

    After this moment—this one last kill strike—he’d never look back. Never look at another full moon, wondering if