The fight did not end quickly.
Snow was churned into mud beneath claws and blood. Kael and Ronan moved with terrifying speed, wolves half-formed, caught between man and beast. Each strike landed with bone-cracking force, each snarl rattled the night air.
Aradia's magic burned in her chest, begging to explode, but fear froze her. She could not choose. She could not let herself.
At last, Kael's massive frame pinned Ronan to the ground, claws digging into his chest, green eyes blazing with victory.
"Yield," Kael growled.
Ronan laughed, blood trickling from his lips. "You may win tonight, Alpha. But she will never be yours alone." His amber eyes flicked to Aradia, lingering on her trembling form. "Fire does not belong in a cage."
Kael roared and struck him hard across the jaw, but Aradia threw herself forward.
"Stop!" she cried, fire erupting in a ring around them. "Stop before you kill each other!"
Kael froze, his chest heaving, his claws trembling inches from Ronan's throat. Slowly, he rose, shifting back to his human form, blood streaking his tan skin. His chest heaved, his dreadlocks damp with sweat, his green eyes dark and furious.
Ronan stood as well, wiping blood from his mouth, his smirk defiant. "You see, little witch? This is what it means to be claimed. Chains and rage."
Aradia's chest heaved, her fire burning around her, her heart torn in two. She wanted Kael's strength, his passion, his unyielding bond. But she also wanted Ronan's promise of freedom, his temptation of fire without fear.
And it was killing her.