Kane by Loribelle Hunt

can
challenge the Alpha. If you interfere, I lose face.”
    She sputtered. “That’s just dumb, Kane.” She
lowered her voice. “He’s bigger than you. What happens if you don’t
win?”
    He winked and started to strip off his
clothes. “Then you shoot him.”
    He wanted to order her to leave, but knew she
wouldn’t and didn’t want the other werewolf to see he couldn’t
control his own mate. Besides, he justified, it was probably better
if she got a look at how brutal his world could be right from the
get go. He shifted and circled Tobias, watching the way the wolf
moved, the way he held himself. Tobias hadn’t reached his current
position by being nice or easy to take in a fight, and it showed in
his smooth movements, his straightforward strength. He heard the
approach of others but didn’t dare turn to see who they were.
    The wolf outweighed him and stood two hands
taller. Kane was far from inexperienced, held his Alpha position
not only because of family connections but because he was the only
one strong enough. But where he made an effort to fight fair, he
recognized Tobias as someone who would use every dirty trick in the
book. He studied his enemy as long as possible, decided his best
option was to go in hard and fast.
    They attacked at the same time, Kane going
for the other werewolf’s throat, Tobias going for his side. A
tactic meant to slow Kane down, wear him down. They met in midair
and broke apart, circling again. He ignored Calista’s gasp and the
blood running down his side, noted with satisfaction the blood
matting the hair on Tobias’ nape.
    Tobias was slower the next time he attacked.
Instead of countering the move, Kane just avoided it. Hoping to
turn Tobias’ tactics against him, he didn’t go on the offensive,
but let the other wolf come at him. Over and over again, until they
were both panting. Tobias got in a few lucky scratches, but nothing
that slowed Kane down. The next time Tobias leapt forward, Kane
twisted under him, caught his neck in his snout. He bit down hard
and heard bone snap, tasted the gush of blood on his tongue. When
Tobias stopped struggling, he wormed his way out from under the
dead body and shifted.
    He stood and for the first time noticed the
crowd gathered around, saw Calista eyeing it warily with both guns
drawn. She spared a glance for him, but her expression was closed,
her gaze all business. He couldn’t read her assessment of the
scene. He stepped forward, and the crowd parted for him, silent as
he dressed. Covered in blood, he ignored his shirt and just pulled
on pants and shoes. He kept one eye on the crowd, saw a couple men
carry the General’s body away. Several others drifted off and
finally only two remained. One of them grinned before speaking.
    “Even here we have rules. A challenge fairly
fought.” Respect tinged the stranger’s voice. “You have twenty-four
hours safe passage. Then I’ll have no choice but to avenge my
uncle’s death.”
    Kane nodded his understanding. He didn’t dare
trust his voice.
    The werewolf chuckled and nodded at Calista.
“That’s some mate you have there. Keep her close.”
    With a wink, he slipped into the shadows,
taking his companion with him. Kane didn’t stick around to see if
his word was good. Taking Calista’s hand, he led her through the
woods where they found the others waiting and headed home.
     
     
    * * * * *
     
     
    Going stir crazy, Calista was past wanting to
strangle Kane. They’d made the trip back to New Atlanta in record
time, stopping only for a couple of hours to sleep. They’d been
home three days, and she’d been cooped up in her house since with
Kane’s guards everywhere. They refused to let her leave and refused
to let anyone else in. She’d sent messages to him, demanded he get
rid of his goons, but he hadn’t responded.
    Where the hell is he? And why had he
stayed away? His men refused to speak, even Mathias, who was by far
the most talkative of the bunch.
    She paced around