SAGE

The roar of the crowd was deafening. The combat field looked almost too small for the number of people pressed against the barriers, eager, greedy for blood.

The stands were overflowing — royals in their jeweled seats, visitors from other packs, humans who had bribed their way in for a glimpse of the real show. Even some had come cloaked in glamour, pretending to be nobles from far territories. Everyone loved the smell of danger. Everyone loved a fight.

And today, I was the main attraction.

I could feel their eyes on me as I stepped into the arena, the sand warm beneath my boots, the heavy metallic scent...