They drag themselves away from me, bloodied and thoroughly beaten into submission. My knuckles are split and I think my wrist is sprained. I struggle to stay standing, and feel my knees buckle in.
Before I can hit the ground, I catch myself on my hands. I won't fall like these Wolves around me do. I don't fall.
I force myself to plant a foot in the ground and straighten up. Just like my mother taught me—an Alpha should never be on their knees. The Wolf in me whines and screeches its pain, senses in overdrive as we search around us for anyone else who wants to join the competition. She's exhausted and worn down. So am I.
I sense him before I see him. The vibrations of his footsteps are in accord with my heartbeat. The Mark engraved in my neck throbs as he gathers me in his arms. I don't think twice about laying limp against him. Immediately, the pack behaves once he arrives and I'm no longer under threat. And with that realization, my body goes numb and my eyes shut fast.
"You've done well, Tania," He murmurs in my ear as I fade away.