18.

                                    

                                          
The pack was in uproar, wolves everywhere, the noise growing louder as the seconds passed. Wonwoo was dragged unceremoniously through the trees, everyone scattering from Jinro's path. He tried to pretend he didn't know what was going on and hoped that he was wrong about why they were being summoned. But there was no escaping reality when he caught sight of Mingyu.
"No!"
His cry was lost among the chaos, but Jinro didn't miss Mingyu's attempt to get to him. His pack mates held him back. Closing his eyes and focusing hard, Wonwoo made one last attempt to convince Mingyu to let him go. But all hope was lost when the alpha threw down the gauntlet and challenged Jinro for him. Wonwoo knew enough to understand that there was no going back.
He was shoved to his knees at the northernmost point of the arena, and one of the pack's mages trapped him in a power circle. There was no getting out until the fight was done. Only the winner could free him.
Wonwoo made a desperate plea for Mingyu to turn his back and save himself. But then Mingyu whispered those three words in his mind. Believe in me. Believe in me.
Always.
Wonwoo had never seen a fight before. In his family, among his people, they solved problems by talking them out. Not by a vicious fight to the death. But this was bond magic. More primal, more instinctive—full of passion and anger. The push and pull of the moon that bound them together.
He moved to sit cross-legged and watched with interest as the wolves got organized. Mingyu's people were clustered on the western side of the arena, framed by the setting sun. Jinro and his betas were opposite them, the alpha shedding his shirt and stretching. He caught Wonwoo watching and smirked. Behind him, Wonwoo spotted the golden-haired beta that shared Jinro's bed. The young wolf didn't look worried about his alpha's chances as he eyed Jinro's bare chest appreciatively and threw a scornful look Mingyu's way.
The rest of the wolves from Drogon Pack spread out along the outer edge of the arena, shoving and jostling for better positions to watch the fight. The air was filled with anticipation. They knew blood would be shed, and they couldn't wait.
Wonwoo pushed out a little with his druid power, trying to get a sense of the cage he was trapped in. His magic passed right through as if it wasn't there. But when he reached a hand out, an invisible wall pressed against his palm. He was trapped physically but not magically. What did that mean? Why trap him but let him have free rein with his magic? Unless it wasn't so he could use his magic, but for Jinro's benefit, so the alpha could draw on the bond during the fight. But Mingyu... Mingyu had no one.
Siwon moved to the center of the arena and clapped his hands once, the sound reverberating around them. The pack fell silent, all eyes turning to the alpha.
"Mingyu of Samhain Pack has challenged Jinro of Drogon Pack for his mage. By the light of the moon, they'll fight. No weapons. Only fists, claws, and teeth. The fight ends with the kill. To the predator, the prey. To the victor, the mage."
He stepped back until he stood on the southern edge of the arena, facing Wonwoo. Slowly, he raised his hands above his head. Jinro stepped forward, a swagger in his step, and Mingyu moved to meet him.
Siwon banged his hands twice, and Jinro charged.
Mingyu dived left, rolling into a crouch. Jinro turned, bared his teeth, and charged again. Mingyu sprang up to meet him this time, dodging a punch to the head and landing one to the front of Jinro's chest. The alpha shook it off and lashed out again, catching Mingyu across the chin. Mingyu staggered back, turning his head to spit blood. The crowd roared, the sound frightening in its intensity.