(Aria)
The full moon hung like a silver coin above the ceremonial ring. Every wolf in the pack had gathered in the clearing, their faces lit by torches planted around the ancient stone circle. I could smell their excitement, their anticipation. Some wanted to see me win. Others were hoping Ashley would put me in my place.
I stood at the edge of the ring, wearing simple black workout clothes. No jewelry, no decorations, nothing that could be grabbed or used against me. My hair was braided back tight against my skull. I'd spent the entire day preparing for this fight, going over every technique I knew, every weakness I'd noticed in Ashley's fighting style.
Across the ring, Ashley waited in a flowing white dress that made her look innocent and pure. She'd played the victim all day, telling
