The Guardian Alpha by Evelyn Glass

and blood, a chaotic cacophony filled the air. Disappointment puddled in Jay's guts as Kristi swiped at him once more. He continued to dodge, wondering if her attacks were halfhearted or if his training had paid off. His sense of responsibility coaxed him to glance toward the mayor.
     
    Mayor Stone edged at the perimeter of Kristi and Jay's fight. When she seemed about ready to jump in, Selene intercepted her. The alpha's claws raked down the mayor's arm, leaving gashes and long streaks of blood.
     
    “Shit,” hissed Mayor Stone, dodging away from another slash.
     
    Jay didn't have time to worry. The mayor had chosen to stay; hopefully she knew how to fight. He had a fight of his own to take care of.
     
    “Stop running and fight!” Kristi growled, lunging forward to land her knuckles against Jay's chest. He grunted, the impact bringing solid pain, but his hands shot to her wrist. He gripped Kristi's arm tightly, their gaze locking across the short distance. Kristi swallowed, hot tingles racing down her arm. The sensations were almost enough to give her sense of revenge pause – almost.
     
    The thought died in Kristi's synapses. Jay spun on his heel, hefting her into the air. She flew over the lip of the hill, rolling down the grassy slope. Her claws scrabbled into the dirt and grass, trying to stop her descent.
     
    Jay came barreling down the hill, his teeth bared and claws prepared to shred his Mate. Fur bristled down his jaw and his muscles bulged against his flesh. Kristi hissed to herself as she finally found a hold against the side of the hill.
     
    It was too late, though. Jay barreled into her and the two tumbled down the side of the hill. They rained blows down on each other – punches, kicks, scratches, slashes, and bites. Blood and spit flew from their tussle as they skidded to the bottom of the hill. They managed to separate from each other with a snarl before darting away from the other. The rest of the battle waged on around them, though an unconscious distance was given.
     
    Kristi and Jay circled each other, posturing with tense shoulders and snapping jaws. Blood coursed down the side of Jay's face, his shirt little more than shreds. A bruise formed on Kristi's jaw, an ugly purple against her yellow eyes. Though her shirt was less torn up, Jay's strikes had drawn more blood than hers. Deep, deep down, the desire to stop throbbed through both of them. But, they couldn't.
     
    The glint of metal in the moonlight caught Jay's eye. Behind Kristi, among the battling bodies, someone stood and leveled something at her back. On the air, he heard the click and his heart sank. The Wolf abated, whimpering at the sight of the gun. He jerked toward Kristi.
     
    Jay's sudden lunge forced Kristi to charge at him, despite her wavering determination. Something familiar twanged on the air. Over his shoulder, she saw it. Someone from her pack hoisted the elven bow high, notched silver-tipped arrow at the ready. Her eyes widened.
     
    Together, Jay and Kristi gripped each other and spun.
     
    The gunshot cracked. The bow snapped. Bullet and arrow whizzed through the air, their impending whistle the only thing Jay and Kristi could hear for a split second.
     
    Searing heat and pain blasted into Jay's back, the edges of his vision fuzzed and darkened. The bullet tore through his body, rending his flesh and burning him from the inside out with silver burns. A pained gasp echoed from Kristi's lips as the sharp burn cleaved through her. Her hands tangled into Jay's shirt. His fingers dug painfully into her upper arms. Kristi and Jay locked gazes.
     
    A haggard breath left Jay's lips while a large red blot expanded on his chest. A defeated smile twisted at his lips as Kristi's gaze flickered from his chest to his eyes. “I'm sorry, Kristi.”
     
    “Me, too,” whispered Kristi, the word coming out slightly cracked as tears strained from her eyes. A cough heaved through her chest, blood spattering her hand. The