He ran out to the back yard, where Lexi was just pulling on clothes behind a bush. Logan and Parker were doing the same behind the trees.
“What’s wrong?” his mate asked as she buttoned up her jeans and walked over to him.
“We need to go to the circle. Now. The Talons are here, and I don’t know what else is going on, but we need to go.”
“We?” she asked as she put on her shoes.
“Kade said all of us. I think that means Parker too. I’m not sure.”
Alarm spread over Lexi’s face before she schooled her features. She leaned forward and kissed his jaw. He held still, knowing if he caved and touched her now, he’d either take her and hide her from danger or pull her close enough that he’d never let her go.
Logan came out from behind the trees fully dressed with Parker in tow. The other man looked ready to brawl, and North was glad he was there.
“I have to come too?” Parker asked.
North held out his arm, and Parker went straight to him, holding him around the waist. His heart tightened at the action, and he held back a sigh. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to the easy way Parker had fit into his life, but now wasn’t the time to focus on it.
“You too,” North said. “I want you to stay by Logan’s side the whole time though. Okay?” North wanted Lexi by his side, and Logan would be sure to keep Parker out of trouble with whatever was coming.
They made their way to the circle, tension knotting between North’s shoulders. He held on to Lexi’s hand like a lifeline, needing her, needing her wolf…just needing.
All of the North’s brothers, their mates, his parents, and Cailin stood at the side of the circle, their worry and anger reaching him even before he came to their side. Gideon and Mitchell were there also, their faces grave but oddly determined.
“What’s going on?” North asked. “Should I have left Parker at home?” He didn’t fail to miss that none of the others had brought their children, though Parker was by far older than the others.
His dad turned to him, his face set. “No, Parker needed to be here.”
Gideon stepped forward, and Logan took a step as well, a growl escaping from his lips.
“Logan, they came to warn us,” Cailin said as she took his hand, pulling him back.
Every pair of male Jamenson eyes went to the movement, but North didn’t say anything. There would be time for that later.
At least he hoped.
“Warn us about what?” North asked.
“Caym and Corbin, along with a small Central syndicate, are on their way to you.”
North went on alert. “How the fuck did you hear about that?” He turned to his father. “What are we going to do about it?”
An odd look crossed the Alpha’s face, and North wasn’t sure it meant.
Gideon let out a sigh. “We heard about it because they told us.”
“What the fuck?” North exploded.
The Talon Alpha held up a hand. “Corbin doesn’t know where we side on things now that I’m Alpha. He will after today. I’m here to stand by the Redwoods’ side. And when the time comes for another battle, my wolves, in full, will be by your side.”
This didn’t make any sense. If there was something coming today, why had only Gideon and Mitchell shown up?
“North, son, Corbin isn’t coming here for a full-on battle. He has a…specific purpose in mind.” Edward’s gaze landed on Lexi, and she let out a choked sob.
“No. He can’t come here for me. He can’t.” Lexi’s grip tightened on his hand, but he didn’t move to hold her, not when the light in her eyes was of anger, not full-on pain. He didn’t want to make her feel weak, but the wolf in him wanted to destroy anyone who came near her.
“Mom?” Parker asked as squeezed in between them and threw his arms around her and North. “What’s going on, Dad?”
North froze only for a moment, that connection to the little boy he called his own filling his throat. “I’m not sure yet, Park,” he said, his voice sounding rusty. He risked a glance at Lexi, who looked as if she wanted to cry but was holding herself back. He didn’t blame her, as he had a feeling why Corbin was coming there.
“He’s going to demand a mate claim, isn’t he?” North asked, his voice low.
“I’m sorry, son,” Edward said, and North threw back his head and howled.
Lexi’s fingers tightened around his, her nails digging into the skin.
No, fuck no.
The mate claim allowed a mate to demand that their mate be returned to their side and back into their Pack. The mate claim was invoked when bonded mates were kidnapped and held for ransom. Since that was not the case here, nor had anything similar happened in hundreds of years, the mate claim was no longer used. That did not mean, however, that the law had been repealed or revoked.
North ground his teeth, holding his wolf at bay. Corbin was claiming Lexi in full. North was having none of that.
“She isn’t fully mated to him,” he whispered, afraid if he spoke any louder he’d scream on a growl. “He can’t claim her.”
“I won’t go,” Lexi said beside him. “He can’t have me.” He looked down at her raised chin but saw the fear in her eyes.
Bonds and mates weren’t settled through wars and Alphas but through the magic of the moon goddess. Some things were out of their control…but not this.
“He’ll have to go through me,” North said.
“He’ll have to go through all of us,” Cailin put in.
His brothers rumbled in agreement, but Edward put up his hand, silencing them. “North, you know that because of Parker’s existence Corbin can lay claim.”
“It’s not my fault!” Parker screamed, tears running down his face. “I’ll run away if I have to.”
North growled at his father then moved so he was at eye level with his son. “No, you won’t run away. And, no, this isn’t your fault. Corbin is a bad man, but he is not your father.”
“But he’s the one who made me.”
North shook his head. “No, Lexi made you. Then Logan helped raise you. And now I, and the rest of my family, will help too. You aren’t Corbin’s. You’re mine. Do you understand that?”
Parker nodded and wiped his face. North turned to his father, but before he could open his mouth, the Alpha knelt before Parker as well.
“I’m sorry, Parker. My words came out wrong. You and I both know that words can be just as vicious a weapon as claws. You’re a Jamenson now.”
Parker gave a little nod, and the Alpha stood.
“We’ll stand by your side, North, but things are tricky.”
North looked at his family, his eyes resting on Mel and Kade. “Wait. Shit. Why didn’t I think of this before? Since Lexi didn’t complete the mating, and we’re in the mating dance, there’s still time for a circle, right?”
Lexi moved in front of him. “A mating circle? You want to fight hand-to-hand in human form with Corbin for the right to mate with me?”
Kade had fought two mating circles in his life and had won the chance to mate with Melanie through his last one. Kade hadn’t completed the bond with either woman before someone had called a mating circle. That was different than a mate claim. The mating circle was where two potential mates fought over who got to keep their mate. Again, it was an archaic rule; however, he’d known women who’d fought as well for the right over potential mates. Even then, no one had to choose. Kade’s first potential had wanted the other man so Kade had dropped out, not wanting to fight. For Melanie though, he’d fought and won. The other man hadn’t even known Melanie beyond a few conversations. After a time, Melanie had chosen Kade. If she’d been born a wolf, she would have made the choice before the circle had even begun, but because she’d been human, she’d been too scared of everything that had changed to fully understand what was going on.
What was happening with Corbin though, was different. And since dark magic was involved, it might have even been unheard of. In a normal mate claim and fig
ht, the ones who kidnapped the other mate didn’t do it because they were potential mates. No, once the bond was set and in place, they couldn’t feel any other potentials. They only kidnapped for war or ransom. So when the mate claim happened, it was the mate going into another den and fighting to save their already bonded mate.
A mating circle where the two males—or females—would fight to see who would win the right to mate was something different.
Since Corbin had changed the rules and brought forth dark magic, North was now forced to blend the two. They would have a mating circle to fight the mate claim. All because this fucking prick had used Lexi and stolen her choice.
North would have none of that. He would kill the fucker once and for all.
No matter the cost.
He cupped Lexi’s cheeks as Parker moved to the side, giving him room. “I won’t let him hurt you.”
“What if he hurts you?”
“If he doesn’t have the demon in the circle with him, then I can beat him. We both know this. I’m the stronger wolf, and I have something worth fighting for. Caym isn’t allowed near the circle, and the wards won’t let him through. Mating is far stronger magic than anything else we have. This can work, Lexi.”
She closed her eyes, and he kissed her cheeks, her eyelids, her mouth. “Don’t die on me, North Jamenson.”
“I’m going to kill him.”
She glared at him. “You better.”
Someone cleared their throat, and North turned to Gideon, who stood watching them with interest.
“A mating circle might be the best way to take care of Corbin since the demon can’t help. That will be one obstacle.”
“But not the last,” Edward added.
“Then we’ll take one step at a time and keep looking for ways to kill the demon,” Logan said.
Edward looked at his family and nodded. “The Talons said that the Centrals will be here within the next two hours. I already have my enforcers working on evacuating the den to the northern part of the enclosure near the elders. I want as many of you to go with them as possible.”
“Dad,” Kade said, but Edward held up a hand.
“No. As Alpha, I need to be here, as do the Andersons and North.”
“I’m not going if they stay,” Cailin put in, and North held back a curse. No matter that she and Logan hadn’t even started the full mating dance, it was clear that she would be an issue.
“Fine,” Edward said. “You will stay with Parker and run with him if needed. He will have to be here because if he isn’t, I’m sure Corbin will do something we’ll all regret.”
North nodded and gripped Lexi’s hand.
“I need only one member by my side, as Gideon has Mitchell. My enforcers will be back to watch the circle perimeter, but I need as much of the family as possible with the others. There will have to be leaders there in case something happens here that cannot be undone.”
“I agree,” Kade said as he stepped up. “I’ll stay here.”
Edward shook his head. “No, you’re the Heir. I need you with your family just in case.”
“Then I’ll stay,” Jasper said, stepping up. He kissed Willow hard and murmured in her ear something North couldn’t quite catch.
Their father nodded, and the other Jamensons, after hard hugs goodbye, went off to the rest of the Pack to ensure their safety.
Edward’s phone chirped, and he looked down at the screen.
The hairs on the back of North’s head rose, and he held Parker and Lexi closer.
“They’re here,” the Alpha stated. “My enforcers will guide them to the circle. I would rather have them off our land, but with the claim, we need a circle, and I don’t want to go to the Centrals’ for obvious reasons. North, get ready.”
Tension rose around the circle, but North had eyes only for Lexi. “I’ll be fine.”
“And I’ll make sure your back is safe,” she stated.
He looked down at Parker, who stood by their side. “I’ll be fine,” he repeated.
“Just don’t die, okay? I don’t think we could take that.”
Lexi gave a watery laugh and held him to her side. North brought them both close, needing their scents around him. He knew that once Corbin got too close, the other wolf would know that Lexi and Parker were North’s and no others, just by their scents.
Fuck what the Central trash thought.
Lexi pulled away first, and North was grateful for it. His wolf was rising closer to the surface, something he needed, but he was trying to wrangle his control so he could explode when the time came.
She kissed her son’s cheek then gave him a hug. “Go stand by Logan and Cailin. I need to be with North. Okay?”
“Be safe,” Parker whispered before hugging North one last time and going to the other pair’s side.
North could practically feel the oily darkness emanating from the horde—really there wasn’t another name for the group of enemies coming at them—as they made their way to the circle.
Though he wanted to pull Lexi behind him and shield her from the worst of it, he stayed where he was, leaving his mate by his side with her chin raised. They would show no fear.
He gripped her hand though, needing her just as much as she needed him.
They would show solidarity.
They would win.
They had to.
Corbin and Caym came through the opening in the stone seating, smirks on their faces, and practically strolling as though on a weekend getaway. They had six other wolves behind them, yet North could scent the stench of rot and decay.
Yes, those Centrals who had chosen to align themselves with dark magic were now dying from within. This, this, was the reason the Redwoods were choosing to go the other way.
“I see we’re expected,” Caym said smoothly, his tone just as dark as it had been before. His gaze darted to Gideon and Mitchell before settling on Edward.
“You’re on our land as a courtesy to the rites and customs your Pack has abandoned,” Edward said, his voice low.
Corbin raised his chin. “We’re here to take my property back where it belongs.”
A growl ripped from North’s mouth, but he held himself back. Once he was through the circle wards, he’d have his chance. If he acted before, he could risk everything.
“Ah, North, good to see you’re on the mend,” Caym sneered. “And, Alpha Edward, I see you’re healing as well after our Patrick and you had a slight…shall we say mishap?”
Our?
Caym’s eyes glittered. “I see you didn’t know that Patrick was one of ours. Well, you see, all that nonsense about the greater good really didn’t sit well with the bastard wolf. Oh, he might have told you he was fighting for his Pack, but in reality, he was fighting for us. It’s a pity he died so quickly…but the weak usually do.”
Jasper growled at his side, but North had eyes only for Corbin.
He would kill this wolf.
Soon.
“Now, if you’ll hand over Corbin’s mate and brat, we’ll be on our way and call it a day. No need to shed blood over silly things like this.”
North gripped Lexi’s hand harder. He wasn’t sure if he was holding her back, or she him. Either way, they needed to wait for the right moment. His wolf paced, eager for blood, for redemption.
“No one will be handed over,” Edward growled.
Corbin snorted and waved his arm. “That brat is mine, and the bitch is mine too. You can’t take away a mate, You’ve scolded me over that before.” He grinned at Jasper, who growled back.
“Are you sure she’s your mate?” Gideon asked, his head tilted.
Corbin narrowed his eyes. “You can’t fight this.”
“No,” North stepped in. “But I can.”
“You’re nothing, you fucking Jamenson,” Corbin yelled.
“I call a mating circle,” North called over Corbin’s voice. “You aren’t fully mated, and you mated using force. I’m her potential mate, and I call a mating circle.” Corbin
’s eyes widened, and he snarled. “You can’t stop that now, Corbin. Well, you can if you step back and take away your claim.”
He’d have to find another way to kill the bastard and break the bond, but North would do that if that’s what the other wolf wanted.
Anything to get this bastard off their land and away from Lexi and Parker.
“You can’t do that,” Corbin objected.
Caym tilted his head, a calculating gleam in his eyes. North didn’t know what the demon was up to, but it couldn’t be good…for anyone involved.
“Ah, but, my wolf, I do believe this battle must be fought within the circle.”
“You’re serious? You want me to fight this fucker? I’m the Alpha. I don’t need to fight.”
North risked a glance at Edward and Gideon, who both raised brows at that. Alphas fought alongside their wolves when they could and risked their lives. It’s what made them Alphas.
“You will win, my wolf. You know this,” Caym crooned, and North fought the urge to shudder at the sickly sweet tone.
There was something wrong with that demon in so many ways it wasn’t even funny.
“Fine. Come on, North. Let’s get this over with. Once I kill you, I’ll take the bitch and brat back to my den.”
North growled, crushed his mouth to Lexi’s in a heated mark of possession, and then stalked into the circle. He could feel the wards snap around them, locking them in.
There would only be one winner.
No, there didn’t necessarily have to be death to win. A yield would suffice.
Today, though, North would kill Corbin.
There would be no other way.
“We fight as humans. Claws okay?” Corbin sneered.
“Done.”
North lunged, raking his claws down Corbin’s side. The other wolf screamed then pivoted, rolling to the ground before landing on his feet again. Corbin threw his body forward, attacking North, but North was quicker. He knelt and dug his claws into Corbin’s knees, and the other wolf pulled away. The action left long gouges in his skin, and blood seeped through the jeans.
Hidden Destiny (Redwood Pack) Page 19
