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"I knew you could control it. You don't give yourself enough credit, Riley."

He grinned. "So...do you fancy another go?" I gasped in shock, my eyebrows shooting

toward my hairline. "Now that I can control marking you...I want to make love again." He

pecked my lips. "And again." Another peck. "And again."

I giggled. "You're not tired?"

His brows knit. "Tired from
what
?"

"My ex Travis always fell asleep right after he came."

Riley captured my mouth again and climbed on top of me for Round 2.

"I'm not Travis," he said in a serious tone. "And I'm not human. You'd be surprised how long I can go," his voice husky. He dipped his head and rubbed his nose against my breasts.

Inhaling deeply, his voice sounded muffled against my body. "You're covered in my scent."

I purred, "Am I?"

All of a sudden, he switched positions and knelt beside me. "Turn around," he

commanded in a stern voice. "I want you from behind."

Eyes wide, I sat up with excitement. "Oooh, doggy style." Flashing a seductive grin, I

turned around to present my rear.

Riley moved behind me, but leaned over my back and placed a heated kiss on my neck.

"No,
wolf
style," he spoke into my ear. He took me like a true
Varulv
until I saw tiny stars in front of my eyes again.

After the third time we made love, I looked between my thighs and laughed. "You've

made a mess on me, Riley." He chuckled softly and kissed my shoulder. "Now I'm exhausted.

We have to stop." He continued to chuckle.

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I was sweating, my hair was soaking wet, and I could barely catch my breath. I had to

remind myself this is what happens when you have sex in a hot cabin in the summer with no air

condition.

I looked at Riley through shy eyes. "Do I smell bad?"

He shook his head. "No." I grinned in relief. "You smell like
me
."

My grin spread into a full-size smile. I rolled onto my side, still in a wet spot, and

cuddled next to him. He embraced me, his fingers trailing up and down my back in a feather-

light touch. I felt his lips press against my sweaty forehead. I closed my eyes in contentment and

exhaustion. The room was dim with the lamp still on, but I could easily fall asleep.

Before I succumbed to a peaceful slumber, I heard Riley whisper, "I
will
make you my

mate."

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I felt someone shaking my shoulders. Then I heard Quinn’s voice demanding my

attention. "Paige, wake up. I have to tell you something important."

I opened my eyes and saw ivory fur. I removed my head from Riley's chest and turned

toward Quinn. She looked down at me with concern.

"What is it?" My voice was raspy from sleep. I looked over at Riley and shook his wolf

body. "Riley, wake up."

He groaned and opened two sleepy amber eyes. Then he flashed into his naked human

form, his green eyes blinking slowly.

Quinn sat on the bed next to me. That's when I became aware of my nudity. I tried to pull

the quilt over me, but couldn't because she was sitting on it.

"Oh please," she scoffed. "Like I care. You don't have anything I haven't seen already."

She rolled her eyes and then set them on her brother. "Riley, Dad sent out a message today. He

said you and Dominic will fight tonight."

I bolted upright, my eyes wide with fear mixed with surprise. "Already?"

She nodded. Riley just grunted. Then he yanked the quilt from underneath his sister and

wrapped it around his body. In the next second, he closed his eyes and flashed into a wolf.

I was too worried about Riley's fight to go back to sleep. I looked at the time on the alarm

clock. It was past noon and I needed to get up anyway. Quinn wore her uniform so I had to

assume she was home for lunch.

When I walked into the hall toward the bathroom, my nostrils picked up the aroma of

fried fish coming from downstairs.

After I showered and dressed, I met her in the kitchen. She stood by the stove frying fish

and making a pot of rice.

I sat at the table biting my fingernails. "Do you think Riley can win?" I asked quietly.

Dominic claimed to be stronger than Riley was and I couldn't dismiss the idea it wasn't

true. He was more muscular than he was, so I judged their strength based on their physiques.

Quinn took a seat next to me, a grave look on her face. "Dominic is a skilled fighter.

Riley is definitely quicker and more agile, but I believe Dominic is stronger. Whoever can

deliver the throat bite first will win."

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My lips trembled. "Do I have to be there for the fight?"

"Yes," she answered softly.

I exhaled a shaky breath and looked away. Tears filled my eyes until my vision blurred.

"Riley better win or else I'm going to murder Dominic in his sleep," I said bitterly.

Once again, we had to leave at dusk for the fight, but unlike the night before, Riley wasn't

with us. He disappeared during the evening after he told me he was going for another run. I

didn't have to wear a robe this time either. I wore a t-shirt, jeans, and my dirty sneakers. Quinn

told me the fight would take place in the grass clearing where her father held the pack induction

ceremony.

During our walk, I felt sick and we had to stop twice so I could vomit. I couldn't stop

shaking and thought I would collapse.

By the time we arrived in the clearing and I saw the other pack members, I burst into

tears. They were all going to watch Riley fight...and they might all watch him die.

"No, I can't do this," I said as I turned to run back into the woods.

Quinn grabbed me by the waist. "You
have
to," she said in a stern voice. "Be strong for Riley. Your doubts are making you sick with worry." I sobbed softly and she loosened her grip.

Her voice turned gentle. "Look, he
will
get hurt, but he'll heal quickly because he's young. Don't worry. Riley will win. He loves you, and after this is over, he'll be able to mark you so you can

be together." She gave me a friendly smile, but I couldn't return it. I wanted to crawl into a dark hole and hide until the fight was over.

The full moon loomed behind the mountains like another witness to this potential

bloodbath. It illuminated the clearing and cast a soft white glow on everything and everyone. The

pack chatted among them but quieted when Aidan arrived. Riley followed behind him wearing

nothing but black cut-off jeans. I was surprised to see Dominic walking next to him wearing a

pair of gray sweatpants. They walked with confidence, their eyes looking forward. Riley and

Dominic seemed focused and disciplined like ancient Asian warriors.

The pack formed a large circle with Aidan, Riley, and Dominic in the center. Riley and

Dominic then separated and stood a few feet away from each other. That's when they set their

deadly glares on one another. Aidan stood between them wearing a white tee, blue jeans, and tan

boots. This was a very informal ceremony.

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I shifted my gaze to Riley and hoped he would look at me. He must've felt my gaze

because he settled his green eyes on me. My heart broke and I looked away, ashamed he was in

this position because of me. Sniffling, I wiped my tears and stared at the ground.

Aidan walked around and spoke to the pack, his voice loud and clear. "Brothers and

sisters, you know why we're here tonight. Riley and Dominic have made claims for Paige as their

mates. They must settle this conflict before their leader, their pack, and their maker. This fight is

to the death, and the wolf left alive will be Paige's mate. No one is to interfere with this fight at

any time. Only when it has ended can anyone approach the two contenders." He stood in front of

Riley first. "Riley Gray, this is your last chance to renounce your claim for Paige Donovan as

your mate. If you do, Dominic Black will become her mate by default and she will not have the

choice to reject him. Do you renounce your claim?"

Riley set his jaw hard. "No."

Aidan walked away and approached Dominic. "Dominic Black, this is your last chance to

renounce your claim for Paige Donovan as your mate. If you do, Riley Gray will become her

mate by default and she will not have the choice to reject him. Do you renounce your claim?"

My breath hitched, and I prayed he would say 'yes' and put an end to this foolishness. Of

course, I was kidding myself. He looked over at me, his lips twisting into a smirk. When he

winked, I wanted to run over and punch him in the gut.

"No," he replied lightly, shaking his head. Aidan was about to walk away, but he blurted

out, "I ask my leader to check Paige for Riley's mark."

I gasped in shock and murmurs came from the other pack members. I noticed Riley had

taken a step toward Dominic. His eyes narrowed and he growled.

Dominic looked at him, his lip curled in distaste. "I don't trust him."

The sheriff turned his head toward me and I swallowed hard. When he stood towering

over me, I looked up at him with my eyes round.

He gave me a sidelong glance. "Remove your shirt."

I gaped at him. Then I shot a hateful glare toward Dominic. My hands trembled as I lifted

my shirt over my head.

"Your bra too." Outraged, I gasped loudly. Riley growled again but his father's brawny

form blocked him from my view. "You need to remove it," he said sternly. "I have to check to see if Riley marked you."

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Shaking my head in disbelief, my lips quivered and tears filled my eyes. I unsnapped my

bra and stood with my breasts exposed for all to see. Aidan walked around my body and I felt

humiliated because I couldn't cover myself.

He stopped in front of me and waved his hand. "Okay, put your clothes back on." I tried

to search his eyes for an apology, but he just walked away. "She has not been marked. The fight

will commence."

Aidan stood between Riley and Dominic, and looked back and forth between them.

"There are no rules, gentlemen. As I said before, this is a fight to the death. However, if one of you is to surrender and the other shows mercy, the latter will win by default." His voice lowered when he said, "Tonight you have chosen to cease being brothers and become enemies. Since you

both share this decision, I will respect it."

He stepped away, and they both removed their single article of clothing. Once Aidan took

his position in the circle, they flashed into their wolf forms, ebony versus ivory. They squared off,

circling each other, growling and snarling.

I couldn't watch this happen. I couldn't
let
this happen. A rush of bravery and

determination flowed through me and I stepped forward.

"I'm leaving Black River so neither of them can have me."

They both flashed into their human forms. Riley's eyes nearly bulged. "What?"

Sheriff Gray rushed toward me, but I stood my ground. "You
can't
leave," he hissed

angrily. "You're part of the pack now."

"Then banish me!" My voice cracked. "Banish me like you did that asshole!" I pointed to Dominic.

He shook his head, his voice absolute. "No."

I sobbed once and my lips quivered. Then I dropped my head and cried, my teardrops

falling onto the grass. Aidan still had no sympathy for me.

"Whether you like it or not, Dominic has a right to claim you. Any male who wants you

as a mate can approach me and announce a claim. It doesn't matter if another male has already

claimed you. If you haven't been marked during mating, then you're an available female. For

centuries,
Varulv
males have fought each other over females. I'm not going to end the tradition just because you don't agree with it."

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Appalled by his words, I looked at him and yelled, "Even if it means you may lose your

only son?"

His Adam's apple moved in his throat. He hesitated, but then answered quietly. "Yes.

Riley is an adult and this is a challenge he must face." This time, I saw a flicker of despair in his eyes before he walked away. I knew he wasn't a total heartless jerk.

Dominic suddenly stepped into Riley's personal space, his voice dripping with venom.

"I'm not Zoë. Let's see how you do against someone your own size."