again. If you do, I'll rip your tongue out."
"Allen." Raze's voice broke through his anger.
Allen glanced over at the angel, who raised his eyebrows in warning. A low grunt of disgust escaped Allen's throat as he tossed Stephan from him. The older lycan fell at Kinsey's feet with a gasp.
"You aren't worth wasting my energy on. I'll deal with you when I'm done with Kinsey." Allen met Kinsey's glare. "Are you ready? Let's get this over with. I have other more important things to do, and you're becoming a waste of space."
He turned his back on the alpha and headed back to the truck. If the challenge ring was in the same place, they would have to drive there.
"Allen, watch it." Roman's cry warned him.
Whirling around, he caught sight of a wolf-shaped blur rushing toward him. He dodged out of the way as Kinsey flashed past him. He growled low.
"You want to fight with dishonor, Kinsey. That's fine with me. We'll fight here, and everyone will know what a vile creature you are."
Raze stepped forward as Kinsey skidded to a stop and turned around, readying to strike again. He held up his hand and somehow froze the alpha where he stood. The angel's violet eyes flashed in anger.
"This is a challenge, and not only will the winner be the new alpha of the Dow pack, the loser will lose his life. There will be no mercy." Raze looked at Allen. "Do you agree to this, Allen Dow?"
Allen nodded. "Yes. No mercy."
"Alpha Kinsey?"
Kinsey snarled his agreement. Allen stared at his former alpha and let the shift overtake him. He knew for some, like Roman, the change was painful and difficult, but the only time Allen had ever felt pain was the first time he shifted. Now his wolf took over without his human nature fighting it.
His vision went black for a few seconds and he was glad Raze held Kinsey because it was at this point in the transformation when Allen was the most vulnerable, and Kinsey could cause a great deal of damage in those moments. When he could see again, he shook his head and stretched a little, getting used to having four paws and a tail.
He glanced around and spied Gianni and Roman standing next to Allen's father, keeping an eye on him to make sure he didn't try to join in the battle. There were others emerging from the building, but Allen couldn't spare a thought for them. He needed to focus all his energy on the fight about to be joined. Somehow, he understood getting the information about Grime from Kinsey and Stephan was the only way he'd find Bandit.
With a nod, he signaled his readiness to Raze. The angel pinned Kinsey with a scathing glance.
"You will fight honorably from here on out. If you don't, and I declare it, I will step in and kill you where you stand. Your blood will water this ground and your disgrace will be made known to all the packs."
Kinsey sniffed, but nodded. Raze's proclamation meant nothing to Kinsey. It was obvious the alpha didn't believe he'd ever lose to Allen, yet there was a hint of nervousness in his movements. Allen didn't allow any of his doubts out. If he began to think he couldn't win, he had to shove those thoughts deep inside. Lost of confidence would only result in injury.
Raze released Kinsey and stepped back, clearing the way for the two wolves. They circled one another, looking for a weak spot or loss of concentration. Allen stayed patient. One of the things Raze told him was to let his opponent make the first move. Never be impatient. That's when you'll make mistakes.
While Allen wanted to know where Grime kept his prisoners and get to Bandit as soon as possible, he also knew he could easily be killed if he let his attention slide away from the fight. Kinsey crouched closer to the ground, and Allen braced himself. The attack would be coming any minute.
With a vicious howl, Kinsey leapt across the dirt, and instead of going to meet him, Allen swerved to the side. Kinsey slid past him, and Allen turned to follow. He swiped his paw along Kinsey's left side, leaving claw marks
C. J. Cherryh
Learning to Kill: Stories
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