by Kasey Belle
“I just wish Uncle Craden would hurry up and make his move. I’m ready for this to be over.”
“I know baby.”
They pushed away from the fence. Mal took Nick’s hand, and they headed towards the pack house.
Mal caught movement out of the corner of his eye and he jerked his head around. It was a limo coming in fast down the rutted drive. Mal immediately went on alert. Shit. “It seems as though you may have gotten your wish, baby.” He called for his brothers, as well as Declan and Cade through their common pack link. He glanced at the barn then at the house. The house was closer. He squeezed Nick’s hand one last time then let it go. Mal stepped in front of his mate then ordered, “Go back to the house, Nico.”
Nick’s stepped up beside Mal. “No. If this is who we think it is, I’m staying. I’m not running from him any longer.” Nick crossed his arms over his chest and jutted out his jaw. Damn, his mate was a stubborn little thing when he wanted to be. “I refuse to cower from him any longer. This was the plan.”
“Baby, please,” he pleaded. Mal would die if anything happened to his mate.
Nick reached out for Mal’s hand never taking his eyes of the speeding limo. “We’re mates, right?”
Mal slid their hands together and entwined his fingers with Nick’s. “I’m not sure why that’s a question, but yes we are.”
“We take care of each other. That was our deal, right?” His voice gaining strength with each inquiry.
“Yes,” Mal answered reluctantly.
“Then we stand together. We face the good and the bad together. We fight together.”
“Not in this. You aren’t a fighter, baby. This is what I do. I’m trained. You aren’t. I don’t want you hurt.” Mal pressed the issue in a last ditch effort to sway his mate.
Nick nodded his head towards the pack house. Kell and Paul ran across the yard in their direction, followed closely by Declan and Cade. “With you and your brothers watching my back. I seriously doubt a hair on my head will be out of place when this, whatever it is, is over. I can’t hide anymore, Mal. I have to do this. I’m tired of being afraid. I’m tired of running.” Nick stared at him with unwavering determination.
It went against every instinct Mal possessed, but how could he argue with Nick’s reasoning? His Nico was a sweet gentle man, but he was still a man. A proud man. Mal would do well to remember that. He blew out a breath. “Alright. Please, allow us to handle whoever is inside that limo. Promise me you won’t engage unless it’s to defend yourself.”
“I promise and we both know who’s inside. I have no desire to start up a conversation or anything else with my uncle, but I won’t hide from him either.” Nick planted his feet and stood a bit taller next to Mal.
Chapter 29
The limo came to a sudden stop about twenty feet from where Mal stood with his mate and family. The driver’s side door opened. A large man with tattoos decorating his bald head dressed in a slick black suit climbed out. He leveled Nick with a glare. Nick sucked in a breath. Mal wanted to step in front of his mate and shield him from that bald-headed motherfucker, but he wouldn’t. A move like that would give Speer and his men the upper hand. “It’s okay, baby.” Mal assured him through their shared link then sent Nick a wave of love.
“Thank you. I love you, too.” Nick blew out a breath and his body relaxed. “That’s Brody. My uncle’s head enforcer. He’s ruthless. Don’t trust him.”
“I don’t. He’s one of the men who killed Summer and Daniel, right?”
Nick nodded.
Brody opened the back door and two wolves hopped out. Declan and Cade growled. Shit, Mal thought. The arrogance of their unwelcome visitors was astounding. There was only one reason a shifter would show up unannounced in another alpha’s territory in wolf form. They were looking for a war. This was not going to end well.
Brody and During a shift his body no longer experienced the intense pain of his youth, now it only ached with muscle strain. Mal welcomed the sensation. There was power in the slight discomfort that came with shifting. He the two wolves came forward, stopping a half dozen feet in front of them. Mal met each one of their eyes because… fuck them. If they were looking to intimidate someone, they needed to look somewhere else.
“I assume the larger wolf is your uncle?”
“Yes.” Mal didn’t miss the tightness in Nick’s voice. He was trying his hardest to be strong and face his nightmare. Mal was so damned proud of him.
“Who’s the other wolf with Speer?”
“Hardin Mathis. His beta. He’s not as sadistic as my uncle and Brody. He’s still an asshole, just less evil. He’s afraid of my uncle. I personally think that makes him more dangerous than most.”
Mal shared the information Nick had given him with the others through their common link. “Don’t worry, baby, nobody here trusts these assholes.”
Declan stepped forward. The power radiating from him had Mal’s wolf fighting the urge to roll over and show his belly as the Alpha of Copper Creek Pack made himself known. “You have some nerve showing up here on my land without permission and in wolf form. You have till the count of five to get back in your vehicle and leave.”
Brody’s body vibrated with tension as he fought Declan’s power. Regardless of pack alliance, any shifter would find it nearly impossible to fight a true alpha’s power. Brody slightly inclined his head before he fisted his hands at his side and cleared his throat. “Alpha Creed. My name is Brody Hale. I’m head enforcer for Shenandoah River Pack.” His deep gritty voice spoke of some sort of permanent damaged to his throat and scraped Mal’s nerves. “Alpha Speer has authorized me to speak on his behalf, as he did not trust no harm would come to him if he were human form.”
“Bullshit.” Mal snarled through their common pack link.
“Calm yourself, Mal.” Declan ordered in response to his outburst.
“My alpha is sure his nephew has poisoned your opinion of him with his lies.” Mal snorted. “Regardless, he’s willing to let bygones be bygones. He’s forgiven Nick of his transgressions and is willing to welcome him home. It is our understanding that you consider Nicholas and Leo members of your pack. I’m afraid that is not possible as they are already members of Shenandoah. Alpha Speer wants his nephews returned to him. Do so and we will leave your land as you requested and there will be no further trouble from us.”
Mal didn’t give Declan a chance to respond. He growled at Brody. “My mate and cub aren’t going anywhere with you, Brody. Craden Speer can get fucked.”
Mal enjoyed the shock on the asshole’s face. Whether it was caused by Mal’s defiance or the fact that he and Nick were mated, Mal didn’t know… nor did he care.
Brody folded his arms over his chest playing the part of superior asshole well. “Alpha Speer does not recognize same sex matings. In the eyes of our pack you aren’t mated to Nicholas. Therefore, he does not belong to you nor is he a member of your pack.” He stuck his nose in the air and sniffed in disdain.
“I don’t give a flying fuck what your alpha does or does not recognize,” Mal snarled, his wolf made himself known as he pushed for freedom. His canines dropped and his hands shifted to claws. “Alpha Speer has no say in matings, only the Fates do. Nick and Leo belong to me and they aren’t fucking going anywhere with you. Try to take them. I fucking dare you.”
Declan placed a hand on Mal’s shoulder. “Enough, cousin.” Mal’s wolf retreated but didn’t go far. Declan stepped in front of him and mimicked Brody’s stance. “This is my territory, and you were not given permission to enter it. You sure as hell weren’t invited onto my land or into my home.” Declan pinned the two wolves with his steel-eyed glare. “Craden Speer and Hardin Mathis shift now or face my wrath.”.
Alpha Speer snorted in derision and bared his teeth as saliva dripped from his snout. That wasn’t the best response, Mal thought. Stupid asshole.
Declan’s eyes glowed amber as the alpha wolf demanded release. “You’ve entered my territory, uninvited. You�
�ve threaten my family. An offense punishable by death as sanctioned by the council. Do you really want to die, Speer?” Declan asked. His cool voice sent a shiver up Mal’s spine. When Declan’s voice took on that tone, Mal knew this was when his cousin was at his most deadly. The clichéd calm before the storm. “I have no problem doling out your death, Speer. Decide. Now.”
Growling, Speer took a menacing step forward. Obviously the alpha had no intention of heeding Declan’s warning and backing down or staying alive for that matter. Mal grabbed Declan’s shoulder before he had a chance to shift. Declan’s head whipped around and his brows bumped together as he frowned.
Mal’s gaze never wavered from his. “This is my fight, Declan. I need to end it. Allow me, Alpha. Please?” Declan shook his head, but Mal would not let Declan deny him the satisfaction of avenging Nick and his family. “He threatened my mate. Killed my mate’s family. Revenge belongs to Nicholas. He isn’t equipped to dole it out. So the pleasure falls to me. Please, do not deny me the right to take my mate’s place.”
Declan blew out an audible breath and planted his hands on his hips. He glanced at Cade then Paul and Kell. They gave Declan an imperceptible nod. He returned his attention to Mal. “If I think for even a moment you will not come out on top of the challenge. I will step in and end it. I will not lose you nor will I allow Nick to live the rest of his life without you.”
Mal offered Declan a crooked grin. “I may not be top dog like Kell―,” he snickered at his own pun. Declan and Cade grunted and rolled their eyes. Mal’s brothers laughed. “―but, I still got skills and something worth fighting for. Have a little faith in your enforcer, Alpha Creed.”
Kell clapped Mal on the shoulder and jostled him making his teeth rattle like he used to do when they were children. “You got this, bro. We’ll watch over Nick.”
Declan wrapped his hand around the back of Mal’s neck and met his eyes. “Kick that motherfucker’s ass, cousin. We’ll handle Brody and Hardin.”
“Count on it, Declan.” Mal looked at his Nico. The love shining in his mate’s eyes was a tangible thing, and it centered Mal.
“I love you, Mal.” A wave of love wrapped around Mal like a strong embrace.
“That better not be your attempt at goodbye.”
“It wasn’t. I just wanted to tell you. You know… in case you weren’t aware.”
Mal’s lips twitched as he fought a grin. “I love you, too, my Nico. You stay where you are while I take care of the trash. Then you and I are going to take Leo home and enjoy the rest of our lives―together, as a family.”
“Okay,” Nick emitted a happy sigh. “Sounds perfect.”
He turned his attention back to Speer. The bastard had tormented and abused Nick and murdered Nick’s parents. Craden Speer ordered the deaths of Summer and Daniel, orphaned Leo, and brought so much pain and sorrow into his Nico’s world. Mal would make sure the motherfucker regretted every single one of those actions by the time he was done with him.
Mal’s beast wanted revenge. Wanted blood. Wanted justice. He would have it. Mal allowed his wolf to take over. A soft amber glow surrounded him and his body began to shimmer. The cracking sound of bones shifting and reshaping filled the air. His muscles and skin rippled as his body began to change from man to wolf. His face elongated into a snout with long, sharp teeth, tanned skin was now covered in fur, and hands and feet had been replaced by paws. His shift ceased. His human form now replaced by a massive dark brown wolf.
Mal growled and snapped as he and Alpha Speer circled each other. Sizing each other up looking for the best possible angle of attack. His brothers and cousins watched on as they protected Nick.
Hardin and Brody shifted. Their wolves made a move toward him and Speer, only to be stopped by Paul and Kell who had also shifted. No help would be coming Craden Speer’s way.
Mal bared his teeth and snarled as he attacked leaping through the air toward his mate’s uncle. In a flurry of movement his heavy body slammed into Alpha Speer and Mal took him to the ground. Mal was relentless in his attack on the motherfucker who killed Daniel and Summer Wexler and orphaned Leo, murdered Terrell and Abigail Speer leaving Nick and his sister to fend for themselves, and brought such pain, fear, and sorrow into his Nico’s life. Mal had no mercy for the evil alpha. There was no hesitation in his attack as he remembered how the scent of Nick’s fear had permeated the air when they first met at the hotel or just a few moments ago when Craden Speer exited the limo.
Speer went on the offensive and slammed into him at full force causing Mal to stumble and roll before righting himself. The alpha bit into Mal’s right rump. He yelped. Fuck that hurt. Speer held Mal’s flesh within his jaws. The man may be old, but he was still a strong and powerful wolf. Mal growled and chomped down on Speer’s snout causing him to release Mal’s flesh. He whipped around and counterattacked Speer before he could recover. Mal brought Speer down and rolled him until he had the grey wolf on his back. Opening his jaws, he clamped down on Speer’s neck exerting enough pressure to puncture the skin and draw blood. He kept going until Speer submitted. Mal only released his hold when Speer’s body went lax. He was tempted to piss on the asshole while he was down, but fought the urge―barely. He sent the man a warning growl telling him without words he better get the fuck off the Double C. Speer lost the challenge and had to abide by the outcome.
Mal walked off, needing to check on his mate. Nick shouted, “Watch out!” and Mal turned, but not in time. Speer was on him before Mal knew what hit him. Blind fury overtook Mal. He didn’t even think. He let his wolf’s rage have free reign. He flung Speer from his back and pounced. He pinned the alpha to the ground, clamped down on his throat, thrashed his head back and forth using his powerful jaws to rip out the wolf’s throat.
The execution of an alpha was serious business, but this one was warranted. Mal wouldn’t face sanction by the council. He’d shown Speer mercy and that should have been the end of it. But, Alpha Speer’s ego got the best of him and the man broke shifter law by attacking Mal when his back was turned.
Mal spat out the rotten tasting blood. Disgusting. He stood over Speer―his dead body no longer in wolf form. His wolf chuffed, appeased now that they’d avenged their mate. Mal took a deep breath and called forth his human form. An amber glow surrounded Mal as he shifted.
Mal pulled on his jeans then picked up his discarded shirt and wiped his mouth and chest removing some of the blood that lingered from the kill. He looked at Declan. His cousin’s eyes held resignation, but Mal didn’t understand why the emotion was there. Surely, Declan didn’t have a problem with Mal killing that piece of shit.
“What is it, Declan?”
Declan shook his head. “We’ll talk later. Your mate needs you. I need to take care of the rest of the trash.”
“The kill was clean,” Mal pushed not wanting to leave it until later.
Declan wrapped his hand around the back of Mal’s neck and squeezed. “I know. He attacked you after the challenge was complete. You showed mercy. He cheated. The outcome was his fault. Fucker deserved to die. I’m just sorry you had to be the one to do it.”
“I’m not.” Mal turned and this time the body that slammed into him held no nefarious intent. His mate. His Nico practically climbed Mal like a tree. He wrapped his arms around Mal’s neck and his legs around Mal’s waist. He held Nick tight as he planted kisses all over Mal’s face.
“I love you,” Nick said between kisses. “Don’t ever scare me like that again. Seriously, that was horrible. I think I may have had a heart attack.”
“I love you too. I’ll try not to.” Mal cupped his mate’s ass and gave it a little squeeze. The feel of his mate’s body against him made Mal hard as rock.
Nick groaned. “I need you, Mal,” he begged.
“Sounds perfect, baby.” As much as Mal wanted to collect Leo from the nursery so they could all go home, he needed a few hours alone with Nick more. Leo was safe where he was. “Hey, Declan?” Mal called over Nick’s shoul
der. Declan turned and arched an eyebrow. “Leo’s good at your house for a while, yeah?”
His cousin grinned and nodded. “I’m sure Lada and Emma Grace wouldn’t mind if you left him there permanently. Go be with your mate. When you come pick up your cub, we’ll talk.”
Mal still wasn’t sure what Declan wanted to talk about. There was probably a shit ton of paperwork for Mal to fill out or something, but he didn’t really care at the moment. All that could wait. Getting inside Nick was his highest priority at the moment. “Thanks.”
Mal ran to his truck with Nick still in his arms. He opened the driver side door and shove Nick in. Mal climbed in after him and started the vehicle slamming it into drive. Peeling out of the driveway and headed home not bothering nor caring to witness Brody or Hardin’s fate. Mal didn’t care what happened to them as long as they never came near Nick or Leo again.
Chapter 30
Mal slammed on the brakes and the tires squealed to a stop in front of the closed garage doors. Mal hadn’t spoken nor glanced in his direction since they left the pack house. Probably a good thing too because Nick was having a tough time keeping the amused smirk off his face.
Mal cut the engine and jumped from the vehicle. Nick reached over and pulled the keys from the ignition where Mal’s one track mind left them. Mal ran around the front of the vehicle to Nick’s side and wrenched the door open before he even had his seatbelt undone. Mal grabbed his hand and pulled him from the vehicle. His mate’s eyes were a bit wild, and he looked like a man possessed making Nick giggle. Mal refused to let go of his hand as he rushed up the porch steps to the front door. Nick had to run to keep up with his eager and slightly feral due to horniness mate.
They barely made it through the door before they were ripping each other’s shirts off. Watching Mal face off against his Uncle Caden had been one of the hardest things Nick had ever been forced to witness. The fear that Mal may lose the challenge had weighed down on Nick’s soul. He knew Mal was lethal and highly skilled. He wouldn’t have held the position as Kell’s second if he wasn’t, but that didn’t mean Nick wanted to see his mate in a fight to the death.
