#Chapter 37: The Ultimate Victor

Raven As the victor challenged Neil, the whole village square seemed to freeze. Conversations dropped off, laughter died down, and suddenly, all eyes turned to Neil, who was still standing quietly beside me. His expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his gaze. I couldn’t tell if he was intrigued by the challenge or trying to decide if it was ‘princely’ for him to fight another man, shirtless, at a village feast. I honestly didn’t think he would go through with it. Was he even allowed to participate in such a fight? It seemed beneath him to even entertain the idea of brawling in front of a crowd. And yet, the idea of seeing him fight, really fight, made my wolf perk up with a curious excitement. If he refused, I couldn’t say I wouldn’t be disappointed. But instead of turning down the fight, he reached down, grabbed two fistfuls of his shirt, and, in one smooth motion, pulled it over his head. My breath caught. A ripple went throu