Chapter 17: The Challenge

Eloise's POV

They came back down the pass road a little before noon.

Lucan walked in front with his coat over his arm and a split on his knuckles.

Dalton walked a few paces behind him, and he did not look at anyone.

I was waiting at the edge of the green with Hattie, and I had been waiting since the Kestrel runner left.

"You're bleeding," I said.

"Not mine."

He took my hands and turned them over to check I was whole.

"What happened?"

"Dalton called a challenge," Lucan said. "Alpha law. Noon, on the green, in front of the pack."

"You said yes."

"He asked, and he meant it. I think he needs it."

"And you need to be hit in the face in front of four hundred people?"

"I'd rather not be," Lucan said. "But I'd like to be able to tell you I let him have the chance."

I pressed my lips together.

Then I took hold of his shirt collar and pulled him down until our foreheads touched.

"Don't lose," I said.

"I wasn't planning to."

"Don't kill him, either."

"That is the plan."

"Good." I brushed my thumb along the back of his neck, under his hair. "Careful here. You can be hurt."

His eyes went to mine.

"Eloise Garrow," he said. "You once told me nobody touched your neck until you said so."

"I did."

"Does the rule run both ways?"

"I'll let you know," I said, and I let go.

He laughed once, low, and walked out onto the grass.

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