"The arena was alive with tension, every breath a countdown."
Hale's hand dropped.
"Begin!"
Gideon moved first. Fast. But not attacking. Circling. Studying me like I was prey he could afford to toy with.
I held my ground. Centered. Calm. Letting him waste energy while I conserved mine.
The crowd murmured. Betting. Speculating. I heard fragments of conversation.
"She won't last five minutes."
"Gideon's going to destroy her."
"The bond won't save her this time."
My wolf snarled inside me. Wanting to prove them wrong immediately. But I held back. Patience. Strategy. That's what would win this.
Gideon feinted left. I didn't fall for it. Stayed balanced. Ready.
He smiled. "Smart. You've learned."
"I had good teachers."
"Let's see if they taught you enough."
He attacked. Real this time. A combination of strikes designed to overwhelm. Fast. Powerful. Exactly what Caleb had predicted.
I blocked. Dodged. Gave ground strategically. Not running. Adapting.
