by JC Holly
Ethan clenched his jaw, but didn’t reply.
“Also,” Gabriel continued. “I’d like to begin negotiations.”
“For what?” Paul said, his arms once again crossed.
“Territory. If you hand over all your territory to my pack and me, we will let you leave peacefully.”
Ethan laughed. “Are you serious?”
“Very.”
“Why the hell would we concede out territory to you?”
“Because I want it.” Gabriel shrugged. “Your choices are simple. Kill me, and start a pack war. Let me go and refuse my demand and start a pack war.”
“Or let you go and give you the territory,” Darren said.
“And leave peacefully, yes.”
Before anyone could react, Paul stepped in close and punched Gabriel in the face. He cried out as his nose exploded in a cloud of blood.
“It was all a trick,” Paul said as he stepped back again, the picture of calm. “The murder wasn’t real, was it?”
Gabriel spat blood onto his pants. “I knew you couldn’t go through with it.”
“You just wanted to see whose side I was on.”
“That, and I wanted to see if you’d go to Ethan for help.” He shrugged. “You proved me right on both occasions. Mickey thought you’d handle it alone. He owes me ten dollars.”
“Mickey is dead.”
Gabriel snarled, then schooled his expression. “He was too impulsive anyway. I half expected him to kill you.”
“He tried.”
Ethan stood and turned to Darren and Paul. “I think you two should leave. You need your rest, and I need to talk to Gabriel alone.”
Paul resisted until Darren put a hand on his arm. “Come on, Ethan’s right. We need to heal up.”
Paul nodded and followed Darren outside. They walked along the hallway in silence, then headed back to the room Darren had woken up in. They sat on the edge of the bed, and Darren held Paul close.
“Well,” he said after a minute. “Talk about baggage.”
Paul pulled away and frowned. “What?”
“I date you, and not only do I get great sex and bike rides, but I also get murder, attempted murder, and threat of war.”
He smirked. “When you put it like that, I’m hardly a catch.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I think you’re worth it.” Darren kissed him on the lips. “So what happens now?”
“Well, I need a day or two before sex is an option.”
Darren punched him lightly on the chest. “I meant pack wise.”
“Ah. Well, it looks like war, unless Ethan can negotiate.”
“You think he can?”
Paul shook his head. “Not with Gabriel. The guy’s obviously planned this whole thing, and won’t take anything less than what he wants.”
“So war it is.” Darren chewed his lip. “Fun times ahead.”
There was a knock at the door, and Ethan stepped in with Avani. Both looked grave.
“War?” Paul asked.
Ethan nodded. “Looks like. On the bright side he’s agreed to follow standard pack rules.”
“Which are?” Darren asked.
“All fighting in wolf form, no involving families and friends,” Avani said. “Honor amongst wolves, and all that.”
“It’s something,” Paul said. “So what happens now?”
Ethan shrugged. “I have a lot to deal with, but you and Darren have earned some time off.”
“I would have thought I would’ve earned an exile, given it’s my fault we’re now at war.”
“It’s not your fault,” Darren said, squeezing Paul’s leg. “Gabriel said himself that the whole thing was already set-up. He just wanted to see what side you’d fight for.”
“Exactly,” Ethan said. “Even if you’d been on holiday for the last few weeks, we’d still be facing the same threat.”
“Stop beating yourself up,” Avani said, a smirk on her face. “You’re already nearly dead.”
Paul snorted. “Still enough left in me to give you a whupping.”
“You wish.”
The group shared a laugh, though it was short lived. Ethan stood to leave, but paused at the door.
“If you’re still interested in joining the pack, you’re more than welcome, Darren.”
Darren smiled and gripped Paul’s hand. “Anything to spend more time with my man. Though I’m not looking forward to the fighting trial.”
Ethan quirked an eyebrow. “After seeing what you did to Gabriel, I think it’s safe to say you passed with flying colors.”
“Hell yeah you do,” Avani said with a grin. “You took on a way more experienced wolf and left him wounded for life. You’ll fit right in.”
“The next few months won’t be easy,” Ethan said, the smile gone. “But we’ll get through this. I don’t recruit fools to my pack. Gabriel is about to find out that he’s severely outgunned.”
Avani grabbed Ethan by the arm and dragged him to the door. “The Churchill crap can wait till these two have rested. Sleep well, guys.”
Darren watched them leave then turned to Paul. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Well, you know how I said sex was out of the question for a while?” He grinned. “I changed my mind.”
Darren laughed. “God, I love you.”
Paul stopped, an odd smile on his lips. “You mean that?”
Darren’s stomach lurched. He’d not meant it in that way, but now that he thought about it…“Yeah, I do.”
“I love you, too.” Paul grinned and pulled Darren close. “Now let’s have some fun before we’re conscripted.”
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JC lives in the south of England and spends the free hours of each day reading, writing, and indulging various other hobbies in the company of Tuna the cat. JC has been writing for several years now, and refuses to acknowledge proper house attire or people who say things like, “When are you getting a real job?” and “Can I be in your next book?”
For all titles by JC Holly, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/jc-holly
Siren Publishing, Inc.
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