One of the prehistoric birds dives sharply toward Ash. Fredrick tries throwing a mass of earth at it, but the creature is too agile. It twists away and slashes Ash’s shoulder with its massive claws.“Ash!!” I scream.I try to move forward, but Kael holds me back.“Don’t panic! Stay beside me!” Kael growls.How can I not panic? My friend is bleeding just a few feet away from us. There’s no way I can stand still and leave Ash in danger!“Ash is hurt! She could die, Kael!” I shout desperately.“I told you not to panic! We can get out of this if we work together and stay calm!”“To hell with staying calm!! My friend needs me!”I yank myself free from Kael and run toward Ash.Dozens of screeches echo from every direction. They’re no longer attacking from one side only. The prehistoric birds begin surrounding us. They fly low through the tall grass, revealing razor-sharp wing edges.We’re trapped in the middle of an open field with nowhere to hide.“Damian! Fly and distract them!” Fredrick

The wind roars violently in my ears as gravity pulls me down. My heart feels like it stops beating, and I can’t breathe!The ground below looks like a massive yellow field ready to crush every bone in my body. I shut my eyes, waiting for the impact to end everything.Suddenly, a hard jolt slams into my stomach. The air is forced out of my lungs.“Hold on, idiot!” a very familiar voice shouts.I open my eyes, and my body is no longer falling freely through the sky.Damian, in his sleek bird form, grips my stomach and chest with his claws. He lowers our altitude quickly. His wings shake violently under the weight of my body.“Damian! We’re going to crash!”“Shut up or I’ll drop you right now!!” Damian snaps harshly.We dive sharply toward the ground. Damian is already exhausted from avoiding the prehistoric birds’ attacks, which still chase us. He doesn’t land smoothly. We’re still several feet above the ground when he releases me.My body crashes into the sharp, tall grass. I slam into

The tension between them reaches its boiling point. Sparks from Loki’s fingers begin licking against the skin of Kael’s arm.My body tenses instantly. I’m terrified a fight is about to break out in the middle of this forest. Even Fredrick and Damian immediately go on alert.But Kael doesn’t move. His eyes stay locked on Loki’s icy, dagger-sharp gaze.“You threatening me, wolf?” Loki hisses, his voice trembling with restrained anger. “After I save your asses?”“I appreciate your help. But that doesn’t give you the right to touch my teammate.” Kael’s voice is low and flat, but full of authority. “Not even once.”Loki lets out a short mocking laugh. His free hand clenches, ready to unleash a close-range fire attack.Suddenly, Fredrick steps between them. He places a hand on Kael’s shoulder and gestures for Loki to calm down. I guess Chief doesn’t want this situation to turn into a bloodbath between the Strains.“We’re in the middle of a death game, not some contest to show off power. Lok

Behind the curtain of acidic mist that slowly clouds my vision, the shadow of a massive creature steps out. Its vertical yellow eyes stare straight at us. The creature has a small horn above its nose and a row of hard scales running down its back.Kael notices the creature’s presence. He doesn’t say a word, but I can feel the muscles in his shoulders tense beneath my grip.“What the hell...” Fred gasps.A loud snort bursts from its nostrils, releasing a cloud of hot steam. Without warning, it suddenly charges straight at us.BANG!Its horn slams into a solid wall of earth, sending a tremor through the ground beneath us.“Run! My wall won’t hold it for long!” Fred shouts.Kael sprints through the dense forest. I feel a violent jolt every time his feet pound against the ground.Behind us, the heavy footsteps of the predator crush dry branches beneath its weight. It’s chasing us with murderous intent.“Damian! Fredrick! Move!” Kael shouts without looking back.The rain pours even harder.

All Chapters of Alpha of the Deadly Arena: Chapter 21 - Chapter 24

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