"So this is your full speed," she stated, Licking the blood from a cut on her cheek. "Slashing like that you don't even have to actually touch me to cut me."

"It's a useful technique, an air blade," Taki clarified, hoping a description would encourage the werewolf to forfeit.

“I cut with enough speed and precision to displace the air in front of my blade, so that the resulting wind cuts for me. By combining it with foot speed I attack without putting myself in range of your attacks."

“Moving that fast must tire you out though," Adira observed in a taunting tone, apparently not intimidated.

“And the cuts you can hit me with that way are way too small to bring me down. You'll wear out before I do."

“That remains to be seen." Taki once again became a blur of green.

"Even at that speed I can react in time to block her from hitting anything I need Like my eyes...* Adira thought to herself. ‘I just have to outlast her.

Taki had a similar realization. ‘I need to end this. I have her on the defensive, now is my chance. '

With that, the mantis switched tactics, reappearing about ten feet in front of the werewolf, her scythe held high as she gathered her strength. Adira braced herself, not sure what to expect. ‘Just what is she up to? I can block an air blade easy if I see it coming like this.*

Taki swung down with all her might, and instead of an air blade her movement created a blast wave of air in front of her blade. The pressure wave struck Adira full-force, the werewolf not having the time to get out of the way once she realized the attack was far different from the air blade. It did not cut her but did send her flying despite her being on guard. She lost all sense of direction as she spun round and round through the air, landing in a heap across the clearing

Adira was only dizzy for a second, but it was a second too long, as she opened her eyes to find Taki standing over her, her scythe poised to stab into her throat.

“I can't behead you like this, and you would regenerate from a cut before you bled out, but if I impale you here your airway will be severed, and you will suffocate without aid."

Once more they stared at each other, only for the alpha's laugh to break the silence again. She grinned, "I like your style! That was a great move!"

Taki cared not for the praise. "Do you concede?"

“Yeah, yeah... I give," the werewolf admitted irritably. "Once my pack gets a good meal here we'll be on our way.”

Carter sighed in relief, but Obol's ears drooped in disappointment as she turned her eyes to the young man.

“It's too bad... I really wanted to play with him..."

Carter Laughed nervously, “sorry...”

“Come on, no moping," Adira stated she dusted herself off. "The sooner we get a move on the sooner we can find ourselves some mates."

Obol and the rest of the pack perked up, “You got it boss!"