Chapter 32

“Do not fight me, Rieka,” Conri growled. “I can assure you that you will not win.”

“I’m not going back,” I growled at him. “That place is no longer my home.” He flattened his ears against his head.

“And you think being with the Hunters is your home?”

“Anywhere will be better than here.”

“You can’t leave me, Rieka. As your King, alpha, and mate, I order you to stay here.”

“Order denied.” I launched myself forward and barreled into his chest, clamping my teeth around his neck fur. It didn’t phase him when I tore through his skin. He turned his head, grabbed me by the scruff of my neck with his teeth, and pulled me off him. Flipping me over into my back, he slammed me into the ground, and pain radiated through my spine.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” Using my back paws, I kicked out as hard as possible, and he stumbled back a step giving me enough room to scramble to my paws. We began to circle each other, Keeping our heads low and calculating each other’s next move.

“You call