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Warm eyes a shade or two darker than Ice’s swept over her in a quick assessment. Then Holly found herself engulfed in a hard hug. “I’m so glad to meet you. I just wish it wasn’t because my idiot brother was fighting someone!”
“And that’s my cue to go away,” Ice said wryly. “I’ll see you both after the duel.”
He bent and captured Holly’s mouth in a warm, lingering kiss before heading over to where Arnold and Daniel were waiting.
Frowning, Becca watched him go. “I can’t believe that Daniel and the others agreed to let my brother fight Arnold Beckworth, of all people!”
“Why?” Holly asked, her nervousness ramping up another notch.
“Because Arnold has a reputation as an excellent fighter,” Becca said, her gaze glued to Ice. “If this was a traditional sabertooth pride, Arnold would be our Pride First. Our leader.”
“Shit,” breathed Holly. All of her worst fears rekindled as she watched Daniel take both men by the shoulder.
Becca reached for Holly’s hand and squeezed it. “Oh, Holly, I’m so scared! I remember what happened the last time Ice fought a duel. Tino nearly killed him!” She sniffled. “Part of the reason we agreed to join the Cougar Lake Pride was because Daniel told us they were phasing out challenge duels!”
Clutching each other’s hands nervously, they walked toward the crowd gathered in a loose circle around a large patch of bare gravel.
Daniel, standing between Arnold and Ice, gripped each man’s shoulder.
“Okay, listen up,” he called in a deep, authoritative voice. The onlookers immediately quieted down and gave Daniel their full attention. “Isaac Peters has challenged Arnold Beckworth to a duel. At stake is the continued employment of Isaac’s mate Holly at Idaho Fish and Game.”
A murmur arose from the onlookers.
Someone said, “Hey, that must be her standing next to Becca.”
Nearly everyone turned to look curiously at Holly.
She swallowed hard under the combined scrutiny.
Someone else asked, “When on earth did Ice get mated?”
“Isn’t she an Ordinary?”
“What the hell makes Ice think he can win against Arnold? Dude’s a monster.”
“Ignore them,” Becca said.
The questions and comments died away as Daniel resumed speaking.
“Let me remind both of you that this is a no-kill fight. If things go out of control and I have to intervene, you won’t like the consequences. The combatant who pins his opponent for the count of ten seconds, wins. Either of you can tap out during the duel, but if you do so, you forfeit the match and your opponent becomes the victor…”
Daniel continued reciting rules for another couple of minutes, but Holly stopped listening. She studied Arnold, trying to imagine her boss as a sabertooth cat, and wondering if whether Ice was making a huge mistake by fighting him.
Daniel finished with, “Do you both agree to these rules and restrictions?”
“Yes,” Arnold said without hesitation.
“Yeah,” Ice said.
“Then shake hands, strip, and move to the center of the dueling ground,” ordered Daniel.
Ice and Arnold shook briefly. They removed their clothing, folding and handing each garment to one of Daniel’s assistants.
I guess shifters don’t have a nudity taboo, Holly thought, her scientific training kicking in despite her emotional turmoil.
She was about to ask Becca if a “mate” was synonymous with girlfriend, when Ice’s sister said, “The first one to finish his shift will have the advantage. That’s how Tino always won. He could shift faster than anyone else in the Familia La Brea pride. He attacked Ice before my brother could get to his feet and defend himself.”
The two men, now completely naked and apparently oblivious to the cold, walked to the middle of the area surrounded by spectators.
