by Shea Balik
“Talk like that again about my mate, and I’ll end you,” Wilder growled.
“Your mate?” Kingston squeaked in surprise. All too quickly he recovered and gave Wilder an evil grin. “For the rest of your life, you’re going to remember that he submitted to me. Your precious mate is a fucking slut.”
There was a moment when Wilder nearly gave his grizzly free rein to kill the son of a bitch, but he just barely managed to hold himself back. Kirill, Trygg, and Hudson all had come up to surround the pair.
“Don’t let him goad you, Wilder,” Trygg warned quietly.
Already back in control, Wilder gave his friend a nod of appreciation for having his back. “I’m good.” Then he grinned at Kingston. “Because in the end, they are going to call for your death.” Then he leaned in, his grizzly growled deep in his chest. “And I’m going to demand, as Jazz’s mate, that I get that right.”
He knew his eyes glowed with satisfaction as he said, “Then I’m going to kill you as slowly and painfully as possible. Your cries of terror will be heard by everyone.”
Stepping back, he yanked hard on the chain and practically dragged Kingston forward, until he was standing just in front of the crowd. Wilder refused to let this man any closer to his mate.
CHAPTER 4
The moment Jazz laid eyes on Kingston, it was as if the man’s thick fingers were once more wrapped around his neck, squeezing incrementally harder with each minute that passed. Kingston had laughed that he wanted to draw out Jazz’s death. To see the dread, fear, and eventually acceptance, as the life drained from his body.
It was almost as if he were having an out of body experience as he watched the man who tried to kill him walk down the steps of the back porch. A part of him was sure he’d died that day… no… a part of him wished he’d died that day. Then he wouldn’t have had to face the man who tried to kill him. To look into those eyes that once again were promising a long, slow, and painful death.
When was Jazz ever going to have a normal life? He was beginning to believe it would never happen for him. Maybe his father had been right, he was a waste of space. If he was smart, he’d deny this was the man and then let Kingston kill him.
“Believe it or not,” Chadwick whispered as he leaned closer to Jazz so only he would be able to hear. “There are a lot of people who love you, Jazz. Even if you can’t accept that, know that we’re here to stand by you, to encourage you, to give you the strength you need to make a difference.”
Startled by Chadwick’s seeming to know exactly what he’d been thinking, Jazz darted a glance his way. “How…?”
Chadwick gave the cheeky grin he was known for and said, “We all have things in our past we are ashamed of, Jazz. Right now, you may feel like you’re the only one who has gone through something like this, but this town is filled with people who have had a rough life. For the most part, we’re all gay, a reason the old Council felt was perfectly valid to kill us for.”
Heat filled Jazz’s cheeks at the reminder. He was being selfish to think he was the only one who had been told he was worthless. What was he saying? He knew of many others who had been hunted, beaten, and nearly killed for their sexual preference.
As horrible as that was, Jazz’s sin had started at birth and his father had never let him forget it. Because Jazz had killed his mother. Since then, every single day of his life, his father had let him know that he never should have been born.
“And if you can’t do this for yourself,” Chadwick said a little louder as a commotion occurred when one of the men guarding Kingston punched him. “Do it for the next guy he tries to kill. Because I can promise you, Jazz.” Chadwick turned so Jazz was forced to look away from the Kingston and face him. “You aren’t the first person he’s abused. He’s probably even killed someone. But more importantly, you definitely won’t be the last.”
Jazz felt his eyes widened at that realization. He’d always assumed Kingston had acted like he had because Jazz was such a loser. What if Chadwick was right? What if Kingston was a murderer? Would Jazz ever be able to forgive himself if someone else died because he hadn’t told the truth?
He returned his gaze to the man who had nearly ended his life. Blood coated part of his face. The man who’d hit him stood next to him but his eyes were fixed on Jazz.
The hunger he saw in their depths as they stared right at him caused Jazz to gasp in surprise. He’d never had anyone look at him as if he were the only person in the world, but that’s exactly how it felt. What Jazz didn’t understand was, why?
Jazz was nobody. A pathetic shifter who hadn’t deserved the gift of life. Kingston would attest to that.
“Settle down,” Saber’s voice rang out clearly over the crowd. “This session of the Paranormal Council will come to order. Today, we will hear testimony from Jazz Blythe and Kingston Huges regarding the charge of attempted murder by Kingston Huges against Jazz Blythe.”
Saber glanced at one of the members of the Council. “Tanis Cruz, would you like to begin your questioning?”
Tanis, a lioness shifter from the Angel Pride, nodded. “Thank you, Council Leader. I will start by reading the report given by Dr. Nole Hayward with regards to Jazz’s medical condition at the time of the incident.”
Jazz did his best to tune her out. The last thing he needed to hear was just how close he’d come to dying. Instead, he studied the man standing next to Kingston.
He was a little too far away to be sure, but Jazz was fairly certain the man’s eyes were a deep chocolatey brown instead of black. Not that it mattered. His gaze was still intense as he continued to stare at Jazz from across the clearing.
That was, until he noticed Jazz staring back. Then, he shielded the raw lust that had been in his gaze and gave Jazz a soft smile. Butterflies started to flutter in Jazz’s stomach, even as his dick twitched in his pants.
What was wrong with him? There he was, about to testify against the man who’d tried to kill him, while lusting after someone else. The thing was, even knowing how wrong it was, Jazz couldn’t stop.
The man had an aura of danger about him, yet for some unknown reason, Jazz felt safer than he had in a long… well, ever, really. Even with Kingston’s glare practically shooting daggers his way, the fear that had been with him moments before had virtually disappeared.
It made no sense. Kingston was cruel in ways none of these people could possibly understand. If the man made a break for it, he hadn’t believed anyone would be able to stop him from killing Jazz. Until now.
“Jazz.” Saber’s voice rang out loudly and if he wasn’t wrong, a bit impatiently, at the same time Chadwick nudged him with his elbow to pay attention.
“Huh?” Jazz said lamely.
The crowd tittered. Well, except for the man standing next to Kingston. His smile widened and he even winked at Jazz, as if he liked that Jazz had been paying more attention to him than what was going on around them.
Feeling his cheeks heat, Jazz turned toward Saber. “Yes, Council Leader?”
“Is the man who tried to kill you here today?” Saber asked firmly enough to be heard by all, yet kindly so as not to scare Jazz.
As much as Jazz appreciated the thought, he wasn’t sure there was a way to ask that question without causing Jazz’s anxiety to go through the roof. The reality of that day came crashing back yet again, and not even the safety he’d felt from the stranger could hold it at bay.
His body shook as he lifted his hand and pointed his finger at Kingston. The promise of death in the man’s eyes nearly had Jazz dropping his hand and running as far as he could go.
But before any of that could happen, he felt both Chadwick and Draco place a hand on his back in support. Tears sprang to his eyes at the silent reminder that he wasn’t in this alone.
His hand continued to shake, but he continued to hold it aloft. “King…” his barely there voice cracked. Both hands on his back pressed against him more firmly, causing even more tears to roll down his cheeks.
Much to J
azz’s surprise, the offer of comfort and encouragement did help. Clearing his throat, Jazz was pleased he could clearly be heard as he said, “Kingston Huges beat me nearly every day for the six weeks we were sleeping together. When I refused to sneak him and several others into the Alpha’s house, he wrapped his hands around my neck and tried to kill me.”
“You little liar,” Kingston lashed out. “I’ve never even laid eyes on you until today.”
Jazz’s body shook harder as he feared no one would ever believe him, especially since until he’d started to speak, he hadn’t remembered the part about Kingston demanding he help them. His legs felt like limp noodles and he started to go down.
Chadwick’s arm went around his waist, encouraging Jazz to lean against him. “Why didn’t you tell anyone about what he wanted you to do?” Chadwick whispered.
Jazz wished he knew. “I didn’t remember until just now,” he admitted, probably sounding like an idiot to Chadwick.
“You can’t believe him,” Kingston continued to shout. “Clearly, he is trying to cover up his own misdeeds.”
An odd sensation came over Jazz. It helped to calm him. Instantly, his gaze went to the man next to Kingston and found him worriedly watching Jazz. He’d even taken a step in Jazz’s direction, but the chain he held, that was attached to Kingston, stopped him from going any further.
He had no idea why the stranger would be concerned for him, but it helped Jazz to find the fortitude to stand without Chadwick’s help. It also gave him the courage to speak out on his own behalf. “I not only know this man, I lived in a tent with him for six weeks.”
Jazz felt his face heat up as his gaze locked with the stranger’s. He had no idea why, but he was ashamed that he had said that in front of the man. He just wished he understood why he couldn’t stop looking at him. Nor did he get how his body was reacting so strongly to someone he didn’t even know.
“Don’t you dare look at him, boy,” Kingston yelled. “You know the punishment for even thinking about cheating on me.”
Jazz cringed in on himself as the old threat felt too real. He might have people willing to protect him, and guards around Kingston, but in that moment, Jazz was certain none of them would stop Kingston from beating him for the infraction. It was one he loved to use whenever he wanted to smack Jazz around.
No matter how much Jazz denied it, Kingston had always claimed he’d witnessed it himself. Adding several more hits for alleging that Kingston was a liar.
“It appears you do know Jazz, after all,” Saber said with a hard voice that had Jazz wanting to crawl into the fetal position and hide. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t talking to Jazz, for he’d learned his lesson long ago. Whenever he heard that hard tone, Jazz was going to regret the day he was born.
CHAPTER 5
The entire time Wilder heard his mate speak of what happened to him, his grizzly growled in his head. At one point he even tried to claw his way out. Wilder wasn’t even sure why he bothered restraining his beast. It was clear Jazz would be much better off if Kingston died before this went any further.
He’d nearly let it happen, until he saw something that made the torture his mate was being put through worth it. Just as Jazz had his final say, a hint of pride shown through his eyes. It had been obvious from the moment Wilder set eyes on the sweet man, Jazz had been beaten down by life.
His shoulders curled forward and he wrapped his arms around his middle as if trying to soothe himself. But it had been the sad, defeated look dulling those soft brown eyes that had given him the most concern. If Wilder had to take a guess, Jazz’s self-esteem, if he even had any at all, was about as low as it could be.
But in that one moment, when he not only faced Kingston but refused to be cowed by the man’s words, a spark ignited, brightening those light brown eyes, giving Wilder a glimpse of what Jazz would look like once he was happy and self-assured. In a word, he was stunning.
Intent on ensuring his mate had a chance to experience that future, Wilder reined in his bear and waited for the chance to kill the man legally. Since Kingston, apparently, couldn’t keep his mouth shut, it wouldn’t take long.
For, even after Council Leader Saber had basically told Kingston he’d been caught in a lie, the man was stupid enough to grin maliciously at Jazz and say, “That’s right, bitch. You’re mine and no one else can have you. When they release me, I will fuck you so hard, you won’t be able to stand for…”
Kingston let out a yelp as he tumbled to the ground in a heap.
“Problem, Mr. Frost?” Saber asked with a broad smile.
Wilder yanked on the chain. This time, instead of jerking downward, with enough force to slam Kingston into the ground, he reversed course. Either Huges went with the motion, or his arms and legs would have been ripped right of his body with the strength Wilder’s grizzly used.
“Nope,” Wilder said as Huges was, sort of, returned to a standing position. “Just had a little trouble with these stupid chains. You know how they tend to get tangled up.”
He glanced over at Kingston, who looked like he was about to object to his treatment. Not giving him a chance, Wilder slapped his back, knocking all the wind from his lungs and propelling him forward. Again, sort of. Because Wilder still held the chain in his hand tightly, causing Kingston’s body to slam into the fist he’d made at the point where he was holding it.
A sharp wheezing noise came from Kingston as he bent over to try and get his lungs to work again. “Oh, man,” Wilder said. “Sometimes I just don’t know my own strength.”
Then he wrapped his hand around the back of Kingston’s neck and pulled him upright as he still struggled to breathe. “I really need to remember to be more careful to those who are so much weaker.”
Hate poured from Kingston as he glared at Wilder for daring to call him weak. Kingston was a wolf shifter and considered himself powerful. Wilder looked forward to showing him how wrong he was. Although, with his face still flushed and his body heaving as he struggled to get much needed oxygen into his lungs, Wilder wasn’t sure how Kingston thought he wasn’t as pathetic as Wilder claimed.
That was the problem with egomaniacs like Huges. They spent much of their lives picking on those smaller and more fragile than they were, that they actually considered themselves superior. Even as big as his grizzly was, there were still shifter species Wilder wouldn’t want to cross. Nor was he dumb enough to believe that, just because a shifter was smaller than he was, that he wouldn’t get his ass kicked.
Saber cleared his throat as he tried not to laugh at what Wilder was doing to Kingston. “Yes, well,” he said, gaining everyone’s attention again. “Does anyone on the Council have any more questions or are you ready to come to a decision?”
All indicated they were ready.
Kingston chuckled, now that he was once more able to breathe. Smugly, he taunted, “See, bitch? I told you they would never listen to your pathetic lies. They didn’t even have to ask me any questions to see the real truth.”
“You know,” Trygg said from just behind Kingston. “It’s too bad we aren’t like humans and have an insanity plea.”
When Huges tried to look over his shoulder, Wilder pressed his thumb and forefinger into the man’s pulse points on his neck, stopping the movement. Not that it stopped Kingston from growling, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Trygg, Lucca, Hudson, and Kirill laughed. “I would say the light is on but no one’s home, but with you, I’m not even sure there is a light,” Trygg told him.
Kingston’s brows drew together as he tried to figure out what Trygg had said. Hudson sighed, and loud enough for everyone to hear, he said, “He’s telling you, you’re crazy, idiot.”
The crowd erupted in laughter, drowning out Councilwoman Zara Snow’s vote. It took several minutes for Saber to silence the crowd, especially since he had been laughing just as hard as the rest.
The noise didn’t stop Kingston from making threats. “I’m going to tear you to shreds, dog,” he
told Trygg.
“Oh, my gods,” Kirill said, “Please, tell me you aren’t so crazy that you don’t realize you’re a wolf, too.”
“When I’m done with the dog, I’ll show you what a real wolf can do,” Kingston told Kirill.
The polar bear shifter grinned. “I’ll be happy to volunteer to be your executioner and face you in the ring.”
“No,” Wilder barked out. “He’s mine.”
The four men that had been guarding Kingston from doing anything stupid glanced at Wilder. But he didn’t care. “No one goes into that ring with Huges but me.”
“Zara,” Saber said as the crowd had finally died down. “I apologize. Could you repeat your vote?”
She smiled and gave a short nod. “Guilty.” Her voice rang out and Kingston frowned. He hadn’t heard the first two as he’d been too intent on taunting Jazz.
“Figures, a woman isn’t strong enough to be on the Council,” Kingston mumbled, earning him two pinpricks as Wilder dug his claws into the man’s neck as a reminder to shut the hell up.
By the time the sixth Council member had given their vote, Kingston was growling about them having it out for him. “No way would the previous Council have voted against me,” Huges bitched.
“That’s because the old Council was corrupt, you asshole,” Wilder said, keeping his hold on Kingston firm. He knew, once Saber had delivered the final verdict, Huges would try to run, and Wilder wasn’t about to let that happen.
“Not that my vote is necessary since it is unanimous, but I would like for all to hear my vote anyway.” Saber stared at Kingston as he said, “Kingston Huges, I find you guilty of abuse, as well as attempted murder, against Jazz Blythe. You are hereby sentenced to death.”
“That’s not fai…” Kingston yelped as he once more tumbled to the ground. This time it was easy to hear the whoosh of air as his body slammed against the packed dirt.
“I petition for the right to be first in the ring,” Wilder called out loudly, so he could be heard above the cheers of the crowd.
