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My heart squeezes as my eyes lock on hers, and I blink to clear my vision. Either the bright cage lights are making me see things that aren’t there, or I’m so nervous that I’m hallucinating.

Elena is supposed to be in Boston — at least, that’s what Raf told me. But when I open my eyes, I see her standing there, and everything else melts away.

The cage.

The crowd.

My opponent.

Suddenly, none of it seems to matter one bit. My whole world narrows toher.

What the hell is Elena doing here of all places? She can’t have come all this way to see my fight — not after the way I left things.

Last I heard, she had a shifter boyfriend that Raf didn’t approve of. But maybe they broke up.

Before I can let myself get too excited by that prospect,the ref yells “fight” to begin the match, and I yank myself back to reality.

My opponent stalks toward me, and beneath the permanent stench of old sweat and blood that coats the cage mat, I catch his feline scent. He’s not as tall as me, but he’s got a thicker build. I also know from watching his fights that the dude is fast as fuck.

His golden eyes are rimmed with black as we circle one another — the only sign that his lion is close to the surface. His ebony skin glistens with sweat, but his breathing is controlled.

I want this fight to be over quickly, so I throw out an experimental jab. The mountain lion slips my punch effortlessly and comes back with a cross of his own. I parry his strike and turn with a side kick that sends him sailing back.

The big cat recovers almost instantaneously and launches himself at me. I keep my hands up and weather his hailstorm of punches, but my head isn’t in the fight.

Of all the people I thought might show up tonight, Ineverexpected to see Elena. And yet here she is, watching my fight. My wolf whines in delight.

My opponent dodges my sloppy left hook, circling out with a bizarre expression. Shifters are sensitive to one another’s energy, and I know I must be putting out some super-weird vibes. I’m anxious and horny and beside myself with longing.

Focus, Carson. Focus.

This fight is a crucial stepping stone on my path toward the title, but I’m finding it hard to care.

The mountain lion dances in for another attack — an impressive combo that culminates in a roundhouse kick tothe body. I reach down instinctively to capture his leg, driving him into the cage wall. The whole thing rattles as he hits the chain-link panel, catching me with a knee to the chest.

I grunt and dig in with a strike to his liver, but the bastard doesn’t even seem to feel it. Heat stings my cheek as his fist grazes the side of my face, and I pummel him back.

The horn blows, signaling the end of the round, and I stagger to my corner. I can see Coach’s lips moving as he shoots water into my mouth, his eyes wide and animated as he explains what he wants me to do.

I’m only half listening. My every thought is consumed withher.

Elena at my twenty-first birthday, her face lit by the glow of candles as she beamed up at me and stole the breath from my lungs.

It took me two tries to blow out my candles.

Elena under the glittering streamers athersweet sixteen, eyes full of expectation.

Elena standing on tiptoe, smelling like coconut, as her small hands curled around my shoulders.

Elena’s lips pressing against mine as soft as a butterfly’s wings.

I shake my head and get to my feet a second before the horn blares. The mountain lion stalks toward me looking more feline than ever, and my body moves on autopilot as I deflect each of his strikes.

When I counter, I throw as much power behind my punches as I can muster. I want to end this fight so I can get down there and see if it’s really her.

My kick to the guy’s head stuns him briefly, and Ifollow it up with a punishing combination that drives him back to the cage wall. The crowd goes wild, but my wolf doesn’t preen. He’s completely focused on eliminating the threat.

My opponent surges forward, trying to take me down, but then my fist flies out of its own accord and connects cleanly with his jaw.