The Runt novel Chapter 30

**trigger warning**

Kace mirrors his father's movements, watching carefully and learning his tells, weaknesses and obvious vulnerabilities. Only a true warrior can hide these fragilities and an even better warrior can read them in his opponent – Kace is that warrior. My best friend has a lot to learn about leadership but when it comes to fighting, there are few who could beat him – as Kace he is formidable but as Phoenix he is nearly unbeatable.

Alpha Michael makes the first move, throwing a wild punch that goes wide and misses causing his follow-through to throw him off-balance. As he spins slightly out of control, Kace punches him twice in the ribs and I can hear them crack from where I'm sitting so I know they're likely broken. Alpha Michael screams angrily, his frustration mounting after Kace smirks arrogantly at him and makes a 'come hither' gesture with one of his fingers. Kace, as well as any warrior, knows that anger is your enemy in a fight so you can't lose your head – a lesson Alpha Michael apparently missed.

The former Alpha fakes another punch but instead kicks out, trying to knock Kace's feet out from under him. Kace sees his move ahead of time – fuck, we all do just by his body language alone and responds by kicking Alpha Michael's feet out instead. The old man lands ungracefully on his ass, his face bright red with rage and his entire body trembling as he fights his wolf for control.

I see Kace roll his eyes exaggeratedly which sets Alpha Michael's head ready to explode – and after that there is no controlling his shift. In the blink of an eye, he transforms into his wolf – large, silver and pissed off. He cheats, lunging at Kace who is still mid-shift and catches him in the leg. Phoenix howls in agony as the silver wolf stays latched on, attempting to drag the much larger wolf around the circle. Enraged, Phoenix spins around and reaches for whatever part of Alpha Michael's wolf he can reach and this time, it is his turn to bite on and not let go.

Unfortunately for Alpha Michael, it is the same spot where his ribs lay broken.

Phoenix snarls fiercely as his bite deepens, blood dropping if not pouring from both of them as they stubbornly refuse to let go. After a couple of minutes, underneath the hissing, snarling and barking a new sound begins to emerge – whining.

Alpha Michael's wolf is crying.

Rejuvenated, Phoenix clamps down even harder, causing Alpha Michael to release his hold on Phoenix's leg, which will prove to be a fatal mistake. The moment Phoenix is free, maintaining his bite and pressure on the silver wolf's side he pushes him, forcing him down onto his side. The old wolf fights at first but after a few attempts, goes down heavily. Moving quickly, Phoenix releases his bite on the side and moves to his father's neck. Biting down, he begins the slow and torturous process of killing Alpha Michael.

Hundreds of voices, rejoicing together over their Alpha's victory – the sound is so incredible it gives me goosebumps. I don't begrudge them their joy, but I find it impossible to celebrate death, even in Alpha Michael's case. I will admit that I'm relieved to not have to face my future either deliberately unattached or aware of the atrocities that horrible man is committing to me. So, while I can't jump up and down in glee that the monster is dead, I won't mourn his death for even a second either.

I'm glad he's dead.

I know that makes me a horrible person, but I can't help it. I'm not exactly 'free', but I'm in a better position than I was in even an hour ago although I have no idea what comes next. Is Alpha Kace going to expect me to finish the mating bond with him now? Am I going to be expected to become Luna to a pack who didn't even know I existed until a few minutes ago? I have nowhere else to go so like I said, I'm 'free'... but only from one nightmare.

There are still so many others to choose from.