I snap my eyes back to my uncle and a rush of gratitude runs through me that he’s not lying or sugar coating this to make me feel better. “Luca could get seriously hurt if he fights,” Roger says, holding my gaze.“Well, don’t let him fight!” I gasp, spinning back to the edge of the box, leaning over
I give her a little smile, grateful for her support, and then turn my attention back to my brother.“Luca’s better?” I ask, looking back towards the ring. “How do you know?”“Watch how he moves,” Rafe instructs, and I do as I’m bid. “See how Luca’s always one step ahead? He knows what the Atalaxian
The bell rings again suddenly, making me jump, but Luca and the Atalaxian drop their fists mid-fight and turn away from each other, each heading immediately to their respective corners. I know enough about the basics of boxing to know that this is the end of the round, but – well, I don’t know preci
“Just don’t blow my cover,” he murmurs, rubbing my back for a moment as the bell sounds again and the fight starts anew.I watch carefully as Luca and the Atalaxian champion come together again and again, sometimes trading blows, sometimes moving in fast just to dodge away again. Luca, I notice, get
Round after round passes, and I’m devastated when I start to see Luca flagging. It’s not obvious – not to anyone but those of us who know him intimately. But his blows – they’re a little bit slower. His footwork just the tiniest bit sloppier.He also stops showboating a bit between rounds, instead h
“Ariel!” Rafe shouts, his arms going around me, holding me close. I press my eyes shut, my hand pressed to my side.The bell rings, stopping the round – thank god – and I can feel Luca’s relief. But still, the pain radiates, and I stay pressed to my brother’s side.“Ariel!” my mom gasps, suddenly ne
Luca, I’m horrified to see, is not the same as he was at the beginning of the fight. Gone is the brash young man, all confidence and vigor. Now, as Ben said, all that’s left is the bulldog: grim determination, his jaw set as he moves into the ring.The Atalaxian, I can see, is likewise changed. He k
“Four!”I hear my name being shouted behind me – my family – but there’s no time – and it doesn’t matter if it’s not safe –I’m moving fast, thanks to my wolf instincts and my training at the academy, and I can feel my canines elongating to points in my ferocity as a snarl rips from my lips, because