Fight For Me: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Misty Valley Shifters Book 2)

by Natalie Kristen

  Logan saw Rhett unsheathe and lengthen his claws. His claws were long and curved like scythes, and he had seen Rhett disembowel a human with one swipe of those deadly claws.

  Fighting Rhett in human form was out of the question.

  The circle of Red wolves widened as the wolves began to growl. All the wolves were anxious, edgy, defensive. Logan could feel the tension and uncertainty weighing heavily in the air. He was fighting for the very survival of his wolves.

  If Rhett killed Logan, all the wolves who had thrown their support and loyalty behind Logan would be banished or executed. But Logan knew that Rhett wouldn't allow any of his supporters to leave the compound alive. If he died, Rhett would slaughter every last wolf who had supported him. They would be deemed traitors, cowards, rebels. And they would be ruthlessly and mercilessly obliterated.

  If Logan won the fight, then Rhett's supporters would be at Logan's mercy. He could banish them from the pack or order their execution. He would hold their lives in his hand.

  That was what being the Alpha of the Red Fangs meant. Absolute power and control over the pack.

  Logan had to win. He couldn't let Rhett slaughter all these wolves standing bravely behind him, pledging their loyalty to him.

  He crouched slowly, keeping his eyes locked on Rhett. But before Logan could shift to wolf form, Rhett slammed into him and snapped his jaws viciously, missing his throat by mere inches.

  Logan cursed, and grabbed a fistful of wiry red fur. Grunting and swearing, he wrenched hard and just managed to twist those salivating jaws out of his face.

  Rhett's claws dug hard into his shoulders. Logan could feel his blood oozing down his arms and Rhett's yellow eyes glowed brighter at the scent of Logan's blood. The scent and sight of his blood had awakened the beast, and Logan saw the excitement and anticipation in Rhett's eyes. Rhett loved the hunt, the kill, the taste of fresh, living blood. When he took a life, he felt powerful, invincible.

  Logan spat and wrestled the huge red wolf down to the ground. He saw the burning rage and jealousy in Rhett's eyes and understood why Rhett hated him. Rhett saw that the majority of the pack stoutly supported Logan. It was clear that in the hearts of those Red wolves, Logan was their leader, not him.

  Snarling, Logan threw Rhett off him and struggled up. Blood was dripping from his forehead into his eyes. His whole world had turned red, and all he could smell was his own blood. Spewing out a mouthful of hot, bitter blood, Logan inhaled sharply and prepared to shift.

  Shifting took energy, energy he could not afford to waste right now. His wounds required energy to heal, and he needed the strength to fight. Logan narrowed his eyes, cursing himself for letting Rhett score against him so early on in the fight. He should have let his beast out earlier. His mistake might cost him dearly. It might cost him his life.

  And hers.

  Logan shook his head to clear that niggling voice from the back of his head. But the voice was right. This wasn't about him. His life didn't matter. Hers did. She mattered. A whole lot.

  With that realization, Logan's wolf emerged with a deafening roar. He could feel his fangs and claws stabbing out as he flew towards Rhett in a blur.

  Rhett leaped up and the two powerful wolves clashed in mid air. They smashed to the ground in a flash of glinting teeth and claws. Blood flew and their red fur grew darker as more blood was spilled.

  Logan could feel Rhett's teeth sinking into his leg. Instinctively, he slammed his massive paw into Rhett's side, raking his claws down Rhett's belly.

  Yelping and growling, they rolled away from each other and crouched low, watching the other intently. Logan smirked when he saw the gash across Rhett's face. Blood dripped from his underside and when Rhett snarled, Logan saw that a few of his teeth were broken. Rhett bared his broken, bloodstained teeth and prowled silently around Logan.

  Logan watched him warily. They were both injured, but there was no telling how long the fight would last. It could go on for days. Or it could end right now. One of them just had to die.

  Rhett's bloody mouth widened in a sardonic grin and he flicked his yellow eyes towards the mansion. His eyes took on a leering, lascivious glint and Logan felt his hackles rise.

  He glanced over his shoulder to see Chloe standing at the window. Her eyes were shining and she had a fist pressed to her mouth as she watched the fight. Logan's eyes met hers, and he saw her gasp as she raised her finger suddenly to point at something behind him.

  Logan swore under his breath when he caught the sharp movement at the corner of his eye. She was trying to warn him. Rhett had used Chloe to distract him, and he had stupidly fallen for the trick.

  Logan bit down a cry of pain as Rhett's fangs sank into the back of his neck. He reared up and tried to shake Rhett off but the wily older wolf held on like a leech.

  He slammed himself to the ground, snarling and snapping his jaws furiously. His teeth only succeeding in nicking Rhett's paw.

  Rhett, on the other hand, was gaining ground. His claws slashed down Logan's side and his teeth came dangerously close to tearing out Logan's throat.

  The excruciating pain woke Logan up. He had been thrashing and twisting on the ground like an inexperienced pup. His head wasn't in the game, in the fight. He had been thinking of Chloe. Being distracted was the surest way to lose a fight.

  Thinking of Chloe wasn't going to save her life.

  He recalled her look of shock and horror, as she tried to scream a soundless warning to him through the window.

  She had tried to warn him.

  She wanted him to win.

  The thought brought a sudden surge of strength and power through his body.

  She might hate him, but still, she cared for him. She cared enough to try to warn him. It was enough. It was more than enough. It was all he needed.

  With a bellow, Logan twisted forcefully out of Rhett's grip. He felt a chunk of his flesh rip out as he wrenched himself away, but he didn't care. He had gotten the dirty bastard off his back. Rhett would now have to face him and fight properly instead of biting and clawing him in the back.

  Blood flowed down his fur and pooled on the ground at his feet. Logan shook his head hard and focused on Rhett. Rhett flashed a mouthful of bloody teeth at him. Instead of spitting out the blood, Rhett swallowed and barked out a laugh. He was swallowing Logan's blood, and he was showing everyone that he liked the taste of it.

  Logan didn't rise to the bait. Winning the fight was everything. Taunting and humiliating the opponent was not his thing. Rhett got off on other people's pain and shame. Did that show his inhumanity or his insecurity? Probably both.

  Logan stood absolutely still, but his senses were fully alert.

  He could hear Rhett's breathing and his escalating heartbeat. He could scent the fear and excitement from the surrounding wolves. He could see the unwavering faith in his supporters' eyes. His wolves believed in him.

  They wanted him as their Alpha.

  Logan saw the arrogance in Rhett's glowing eyes. Rhett raised his head and howled, and his supporters howled with him. He was so confident that he was going to win.

  Logan kept his head down and waited. He waited for Rhett to make the first move.

  Keeping his breathing steady and quiet, he pricked his ears and listened as Rhett howled his triumph and his supporters jeered at the opposing camp of wolves.

  He tensed and very slowly lowered himself to a crouch.

  Any time now.

  Rhett put up a paw to silence his supporters suddenly. Eyeing Logan, he stalked forward and bared his fangs.

  With a hiss, he pounced.

  Logan stayed on the ground for a heartbeat, watching Rhett spring towards him, gunning for the kill.

  Every muscle in his body was tightly coiled, pulsing and ready. Just a fraction of a second more...and now!

  With a sound that was all wrath and vengeance, Logan unleashed his full power and sma
shed into Rhett like a wrecking ball.

  Logan brought Rhett crashing to the ground, and he wasted no time tearing into the writhing wolf. Rhett put up a fierce struggle, but Logan had the upper hand. He could now anticipate Rhett's moves and when Rhett feinted to the side, he blocked Rhett's blow effortlessly.

  Logan knew how to fight dirty. He just chose not to. But that didn't mean he couldn't defend himself against an opponent who was unscrupulous and underhanded. Oh, he could defend himself very well indeed.

  But he wasn't here to defend himself. He was here to fight, and win.

  For Chloe. And for his pack.

  With that last thought, his wolf reared up and moved in for the kill.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Chloe pressed her palm against the glass as she stepped closer to the window. She could hardly breathe. Even though she was safely in the Alpha's mansion, guarded by two formidable she-wolves, she felt as though she were standing outside in the compound, right in the middle of that snarling ring of Red Fangs wolves. She could see the terrible wounds on Logan's body and hear his low grunts and growls. Logan didn't flinch even as Rhett's razor sharp fangs slit his side wide open. Chloe had to squeeze her eyes shut for an instant as she hugged herself tightly and rocked back on her heels. She seemed to be able to feel his pain, his anger, his resolve. She could feel every slash, every blow, every cut that Logan suffered. It was his fight, but she felt his pain. She could even smell his blood and sweat. It was strange, weird, wrong...only it wasn't.

  It was almost like...they were connected.

  And the connection felt...right.

  Chloe reeled back as Abigail came up to her and held her arm. “You should sit down,” Abigail said softly.

  But Chloe only shook her head and remained standing at the window.

  With a wince, Abigail turned away from the violent, gory scene outside the window. “They fight, they kill each other, it's what they do. You don't have to see this,” Abigail said hoarsely, tugging at her arm.

  “No.” Chloe shook Abigail's hand away fiercely. “I have to.” I have to see him fight, and win.

  Abigail stared at her and hesitated for a beat before moving away.

  Silently, Chloe continued looking out the window. She couldn't look away even if she tried. She could see the two huge wolves on the ground, locked in a battle to the death. As Logan's jaws clamped around Rhett's throat, Chloe saw a group of wolves quietly change sides. The wolves who had been standing behind Rhett were quickly making their way towards Logan's camp. Only three Red wolves were left on the other side of the great divide. These three wolves were Rhett's last and only supporters.

  Chloe let out a strangled cry when she saw Rhett stab his claws into Logan's belly. Logan jerked violently, but he didn't release his hold on Rhett. He kept his teeth in Rhett's thick neck and bit down harder. There was a loud, sharp crack, and Chloe saw Rhett's head loll back.

  Slowly, Logan lowered Rhett's body to the ground. He stepped back and raised his eyes to Chloe. His eyes drank her in hungrily, desperately, as if the sight of her was the only thing keeping him on his feet. With his gaze fixed on her, he shifted smoothly to human form, and Chloe had to stifle a cry at the grievous injuries all over his body. With his body no longer covered in red fur, she could see all too clearly the long, deep gashes in his sides and the gaping wound in his belly. No man could remain standing with his body in such a state.

  But Logan stood up tall and proud, his eyes moving slowly from her to his howling wolves. His supporters had all raised their heads and howled in unison, celebrating their new Alpha. The three large wolves who had remained stoically loyal to Rhett didn't make any sound or movement. They showed no emotion as they awaited their sentence by the new Alpha.

  Logan nodded at his pack, and turned towards the mansion. He didn't even spare a glance at the dead wolf at his feet. Neither did he look at the three huge wolves who were glaring at him with open resentment and hostility. He simply kept his eyes on Chloe, as he lurched towards the mansion, leaving a trail of fresh blood in his wake.

  It was clear that despite his victory, despite his horrendous injuries and the unimaginable pain he was in, there was only one thing on his mind. Chloe.

  Chloe backed away from the window, away from his intense, burning gaze.

  With a roar, he kicked the front door open and stood in the doorway, his fists at his sides.

  Even naked and covered with blood from head to toe, Logan was a powerful, overwhelming presence. He didn't step foot inside the hall. He simply stood at the threshold of the front door, yet he seemed to fill the entire mansion.

  This was now his mansion. The Alpha's mansion.

  Chloe suppressed a shudder as she realized that she was now his property. As the new Alpha of the Red Fangs pack, Logan had absolute control and power over her.

  He could do as he wished with her. She could fight him, but she knew that ultimately, her life was in his hands.

  The two she-wolves bowed their heads to acknowledge their new Alpha. Logan gave a sharp nod, but he never took his eyes off Chloe.

  “I am the Alpha of the Red Fangs,” Logan growled at last. “So...you belong to me.”

  Chloe could only shake her head mutely. She didn't trust herself to speak. Her voice would betray her fear.

  She saw Logan scowl when she took a small step back. Swallowing hard, she straightened her spine and faced him. She might be his prisoner, but she wasn't his property. She wasn't his. Ever!

  “You...have a choice,” Logan continued, keeping his fevered gaze locked on her. There was a brief flicker of pain in his eyes as he forced the words past his throat. “You can stay...here, with the pack, with...” With me. He took a sharp breath, and just for a heartbeat, she glimpsed the hope, longing and vulnerability in his eyes.

  He blinked, and his eyes hardened. Through tightly clenched teeth, he growled, “Or you can leave.”

  Chloe did a double take, staggering back in shock. She gaped at him. Did her ears deceive her?

  He had just given them the choice—to leave!

  He was letting them go.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Abigail's hand fly to her mouth. Her friend was choking down a wrenching sob.

  “I...” Chloe's mouth open and shut, but her throat suddenly felt too dry and constricted. “You...”

  Logan's chin dipped and he seemed to sway slightly. His hand slapped against the door frame, and she saw his knuckles gleam bone white as he gripped the door jamb to steady himself. It was by sheer effort of will that he was holding himself upright. The two she-wolves started forward but he waved them off with a snarl. Blood flew from his hand and spattered on the marble floor.

  Chloe began to shake as she resisted the urge to run to him and support him. He was hurt, hurting terribly, yet he wouldn't allow himself to fall and collapse in front of her.

  She turned her head and stared at Abigail. Abigail was now crying openly, tears of relief coursing down her face. “We can go,” Abigail whispered through her sobs. “We can go...”

  Chloe turned back to Logan and opened her mouth. But before she could speak, Logan gritted out, “Go!”

  Chloe started, and held out her hand to Abigail. They didn't need to be told twice.

  Abigail stumbled to her, and together, they inched past Logan and stood at the porch, facing the entire pack of Red wolves.

  Logan raised his bloodied hand and pointed to the gate. “Go!' he roared and slumped heavily against the wall.

  At their Alpha's command, the sea of wolves parted and made a clear path for them to the gate. Chloe dragged Abigail down the front steps of the porch and hurtled past the long line of red wolves to reach the open gate.

  “Run! Keep running...” Abigail panted, pulling frantically at her hand. “Hurry!”

  Chloe nodded, and tried to keep up. She heard the gate clang shut behind them as they left the Red Fangs compoun
d.

  Abigail let out a hysterical laugh and stumbled on. She tripped, fell and picked herself up, but she never looked back. She just kept running.

  Chloe followed in her wake, but at the last minute, just before they reached the main road, she stopped and looked back.

  She could hear voices rising from the Red Fangs compound, clamoring, shouting human voices and she knew that the wolves had all shifted back to human form. They were chanting, or cheering, and she imagined the pack swarming towards the mansion.

  Those wolves would look after Logan. They are declared their loyalty to him. They would take care of their Alpha, and tend to his wounds. He would be all right. He had to be.

  Forcing down a sob, she turned away. She could have healed him with her magic. But...why should she?

  He was a Red Fangs wolf. He had orchestrated their capture, and participated in all the atrocities of his pack.

  He was no different from the other wolves. He was just as guilty, just as evil as the rest of them.

  Chloe dug her nails into her palms as she ran hard. In her mind, she saw Logan falling to his knees, his body wrecked and broken, yet his eyes burned with a raw, violent passion. She saw the agony, the pride, the fierce want in his eyes even as his body shuddered and collapsed from blood loss and exhaustion.

  “No,” she whispered. She swiped at her eyes, surprised to find that they were wet with tears.

  Why was she crying? No, she wasn't crying for him.

  He deserved what he got.

  Chloe sniffed and scrubbed away her tears. Stop this! Stop this crying right now, you fool! She was falling over so much since she couldn't very well see where she was going with all her stupid tears.

  “You okay?” She heard Abigail's worried voice at her ear.

  “Yeah, I'm just...”

  “I know.” Her friend's tone was unusually gentle. “I know.”

  Chloe nodded and gripped Abigail's stiff, cold hand. She stared at her friend's colorless face and felt a stab of cold fear in her heart.