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broken in half, just a jagged edge showing. He took a step, then another, and Griffin saw what he was waiting for.
    The rear leg facing Griffin was the weak leg. Xavier would favor it, and it wouldn’t be as strong. Griffin needed to keep that leg toward him. Xavier would be hesitant to put his full weight on that leg, or so Griffin hoped.
    Xavier feinted, swinging a huge paw at Griffin, driving him a step back. Xavier circled to the left, but Griffin blocked him, pushing him back, closing in, forcing him to do something he didn’t want to do.
    The frustration in Xavier’s expression, in the way he moved, was obvious. Griffin growled, tried to control the adrenaline rushing through him. He knew he had the advantage, but now was not the time to give it away by being over-confident.
    Griffin could wait no longer. He set his feet, pushed off, and hit Xavier in the shoulder. The hit was solid and Xavier went down, the platform shaking beneath their weight.
    This time he had a solid purchase, claws and fangs sinking into Xavier’s thick pelt. Xavier’s scream of pain echoed through the clearing as thick blood filled Griffin’s mouth.
    He twisted his head, tearing flesh and muscle. Xavier snapped over his shoulder, narrowly missing Griffin’s foreleg.
    The two jaguars struggled, rolling and thrashing across the platform, but Griffin held on.
    They came to the edge of the platform and Xavier’s struggles increased. Griffin rolled them over once more, pushing them over the edge, hanging on as they fell to the ground.
    As they hit the ground, something snapped, and shooting pain flared through Griffin’s front leg. He lost his grip on Xavier, and the jaguar instantly scrambled from beneath Griffin.
    Griffin struggled to his feet, wincing at the pain in his foreleg. Xavier rounded on him, and he braced himself, despite the pain.
    Xavier lunged, knocking Griffin to his back on the ground, jaws snapping at Griffin’s exposed throat. Griffin twisted his body, wrenching his head to the side, Xavier’s fangs narrowly missing him.
    Struggling against Xavier’s weight, Griffin fought to remain on his back, tensing his back legs. He thrust upward, catching Xavier low in his belly. He heard the loud grunt, felt the rush of breath against his face.
    Griffin pushed harder, muscles straining, lifting Xavier until they both rolled over. Xavier came down on his weak leg, stumbling and then falling on his side.
    It was the last chance Griffin had. Pain clouded his vision and his lungs ached as he drew breath. His front leg was all but useless. But he wouldn’t let Xavier see that.
    He dove for Xavier’s throat, clamping down hard, mouth filled with fur, bone and cartilage snapping and cracking with the force of his bite. He held on, jaws locked, as Xavier thrashed beneath him. Claws raked the soft underbelly, tearing another gash, but still he held on.
    From a distance he heard growls and snarls, and he caught a glimpse of jaguars circling them, but he was intent on finishing what he’d started.
    Finally Xavier stopped struggling, his body going limp. Griffin gave him one last shake, but he didn’t move. He released his hold, jumping away, eyes never leaving Xavier.
    “Griffin!”
    Addison was by his side, arms around his neck, her face buried in his fur. “Are you okay?” Her voice was muffled against his body. He turned, nuzzling her shoulder with his face.
    Pulling away, he limped to the center of the circle. The rest of his clan stood in a ragged circle, and he could see wounds and scratches, mostly to Xavier’s guards. It appeared that not all of them were on his side in this battle. But Ramos and the rest stood between him and any threat of attack. It was time to shift.
    He closed his eyes, willing his body into human form. The pain was intense, his wounds and broken bones screaming as his body twisted and contorted from jaguar to human.
    Then he stood for a moment, relishing being in his human form. Opening his eyes, he saw