chapter 42

Kyan Everyone moves away from us as we approach the ring, which isn’t a boxing ring but more like a dirt patch about as wide as half a football field. Everyone circles around the perimeter, eager to watch the Alpha challenge. “You got this,” I tell Jonah, and he nods. The moment I take my place on the sidelines to watch, everyone moves away like I have the plague. Great. I can see Marabella a few feet away and Sage is speaking to her. Mara looks upset about something, and I wonder what they’re talking about. Opening the bond I have with her, I feel her worry and at first, I think it is for Jonah, though that is there I realize after a few moments it is more for me. Sage tries to stop her as Marabella starts walking over to me. I glance away from her, hoping she stops when I see Mateo grip her arm. She shakes him off, only for Ezra to step into her path. They seem to argue before he points in the opposite direction from me. I feel his command wash over her through the bond. What I don’t