Marked for Life by Jaxx Steele Read Free Book Online

treachery."
    Raymond laughed, a harsh and sinister sound that made Victor cringe.
    "You sealed your fate the day you released me. The bond you have with your mate will not help you. Today you die."
    Mark slowly rocked on the balls of his feet and his fists clenched. "One of us will die today, but it will not be me."
    Almost simultaneously the two men shifted into wolves and leapt into the air.
    Victor's arms tightened around his gut and he rocked, watching intently. The others in the circle were spread far enough apart that his view was not obstructed by them. The wolves snarled and snapped at one another and Mark's tribe mates moved about, making accommodations for the brawl, but kept it within the circle they made. The black wolf took first blood by biting down hard on the hind leg of the blond wolf. He yelped in pain. Victor almost jumped off the rock in joy but quickly calmed himself. Not only did he not want to bring any undue attention to himself, but above all, he didn't want to distract Mark.
    The fight continued for a time, but then took a turn for the worse. Victor bit his lip in worry. Raymond was on the attack and pushing him back toward the wood's edge. The ring they were in remained intact, moving with them, but murmurs of concern rose from it as well. He groaned and rose to follow, making sure to keep his distance. There was an abrupt intake of breath followed by a low moan from the crowd as Raymond took the high road, knocking Mark to the ground and pouncing on him. He sank his fangs deep into the black wolf's shoulder. The cry of pain that escaped him tore at Victor's heart.
    "No," Victor said through his fingers in an anguished whisper.
    Mark's horde instantly closed in around them, blocking Victor's view of the battle. He moved closer, trying to peer over them, but they continued to obstruct his vision. All of a sudden they jumped back with a simultaneous gasp. Their actions knocked Victor to the ground. He wondered what could have startled everyone at once. When he looked up he saw Mark standing in the circle in his man form and Victor let out his own stunned breath.
    Mark glared down at the wolf. The animal looked as shocked as everyone else, but not for long. The air started to sparkle around him but Mark kicked the beast hard, sending him sliding across the terrain. The gathering of people jumped back even more, almost trampling Victor in their haste. He scrambled to his feet to save himself from being crushed by the people adjusting to the new dynamics of the battle. He found refuge behind a tree. As soon as Victor's palm touched the wood, he felt a jolt of power at the connection. At first it confused him, but then he gasped in recollection. Pressing both hands to the oak, he closed his eyes and concentrated. Energy flowed from the bark through his fingertips, rapidly filling his body.
    The brawl persisted. Shouts of surprise, growls, and Mark's grunts reached across the small distance to Victor's ears but he didn't let it distract him. Resting his forehead on the tree, he focused on pulling strength from the bark. After a while Victor peeked past the timber to see if his plan was working. Mark held the wolf aloft. He slammed the beast to the ground. It let out an agonizing whine as it collided with the hard dirt and then Mark disappeared from sight. Victor smiled and released the tree to move closer. Mark was on his knees. Blood continued to run down his injured arm from his shoulder as it hung by his side. He pummeled the wolf with his good fist until it was clear the animal would not be getting up again. Mark's father stepped forward, drawing Victor's attention away from the mêlée.
    "Enough Mark! End it now!" he shouted.
    When Victor brought his attention back to Mark, he was a wolf again. The black wolf stood over his battered and beaten prey; without hesitation he plunged his fangs deep into the underside of its throat. With one strong yank, a sickening cracking sound ended the long-standing