by Jayda Marx
I sprinted as fast as I could toward the treeline where Phoenix, Stone and Rowan disappeared. I hoped I could lose the other shifters in the dense woods and that once I’d put enough distance between us, I could call out to my pack for help. But before I made it out of the clearing where our homes sat, I heard steady footfalls behind me. I turned around just in time to see a man shift into a huge brown wolf.
I knew as I watched him speed towards me that I had no chance of outrunning him. I hid the blade of my knife along my wrist and knelt down on one knee. The wolf didn’t slow down even though I wasn’t in a threatening stance. There was no question he meant me harm. Once he was within several feet of me, he leapt at me with his teeth bared.
I flipped the blade of my knife around and gripped the handle. As the wolf descended on me, I plunged my weapon into its chest. It let out a pained whine as its body weight knocked me onto my back. It was still and quiet on top of me. I managed to wriggle out from under it and stood up. My breath caught as I looked upon its lifeless body; I’d never harmed anything beyond the sandbag dummy Stone made. But I didn’t have a choice. It was him or me, and I wasn’t about to give up the life I shared with Phoenix, let alone cut his short.
The sight of a group of men running towards me ripped me from my thoughts. I knelt down again and pulled my blade from the wolf’s body, shuddering when its blood trickled down my fingers. I’d lucked out with this one wolf, but there was no way I could take on the group of huge, angry men on my own. I needed help; I needed my pack.
I tipped my head back to the sky and cupped my hands around my mouth. I gave my best howl, hoping it carried on the evening breeze better than a human yell, and knowing Phoenix would recognize my voice. Just as the crowd was closing in on me, I heard the echo of three distinct howls. My pack was on its way.
*****
Phoenix
I sped from the cabin and followed my friends into the woods. I quickly caught up with them and leapt to the head of the pack. Rowan flanked my right side and Stone covered my left as we ran toward the area from where we heard the gunshots.
My first thought was that someone was illegally hunting on state land. If that was the case, we needed to be careful; three wolves would be the perfect target for a hunter. If the person was still out walking around, our best course of action would be to shift out of sight and yell to scare them away. One or all of us could follow them at a distance to their car and get the information from their tags to turn over to the authorities.
The other option was that we weren’t dealing with a hunter, but someone up to much darker activities. It was possible someone was injured in the woods, or worse. We needed to be alert and ready for anything.
I sniffed the air as we ran, following the faint trail of gunpowder. As we went deeper into the woods, a second scent mixed in. It was unpleasant but familiar. I searched my brain for the smell and stopped in my tracks when I placed it. Rowan and Stone paused behind me. I shifted into human form and my friends followed.
“What’s wrong?” Stone asked, surveying our surroundings.
“Do you smell that?”
Rowan sniffed the air and flinched. “Shifters.”
“Wolf shifters,” I corrected. “It’s Raven and his men.” Though the scent was one I hadn’t encountered in decades, I’d never forget the acrid stench of my brother. But why were they here? We weren’t anywhere near their pack lands. And why were they shooting? Realization dawned on me and my stomach churned. Raven had lured me away from my home and my mate with the sound. “It’s a trap.”
Rowan gasped. “Rory!”
The three of us shifted and sprinted back toward our cabins. I pushed myself harder than ever before, desperate to get to my mate. Dirt flung in every direction as my paws tore up the earth. We were nearly to the treeline when a distraught howl pierced the air. It was Rory calling out for help. I yowled my reply at the same time as Rowan and Stone. We were close; I needed my sweet mate to hold on.
We burst into the clearing and my eyes darted over the scene before me, trying to take in every detail at once. Rory gripped the knife Stone gave him in his shaking hand. The blade was covered in blood and at my mate’s feet was the lifeless body of a wolf. Pride and guilt warred in my chest; Rory was so strong and courageous to defend himself, but I wished I’d never left him alone.
Ten men were closing in on Rory with hatred in their eyes. Raven was at the front of the pack. My brave mate dropped into a defensive stance, ready to fight. But he wouldn’t be fighting alone any more. I stepped in front of Rory and my friends stood at his sides. My mate let out a relieved sigh and ran his hand down my back.
We shifted and Rory’s arms wrapped around my waist from behind. “They showed up right after you left,” he explained quickly. “They burst into the house. I got away, but they came after me. I don’t even know who they are or what they want. I had to kill one, Phoenix. I didn’t want to. I tried showing I wasn’t a threat, but he attacked me. I had to! I-”
“You did great,” Stone interrupted. Rory jerked against me as my friend slapped his back in approval. I could only imagine the pride Stone felt at Rory’s use of the training he gave to him.
“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart,” I said without taking my eyes off of my brother, who was mere feet away. “You are brave and strong. I’m sorry we left you, but we’re here now. Everything will be okay.” Rory nodded against my spine and tightened his grip on me.
“Ah, there you are,” Raven said as he and his pack stopped advancing. Long, scraggly black hair cascaded over his shoulders and face. Eyes the color of my own shone against his pale, sharp features. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”
“If you wanted me, why draw me out into the woods?”
“I heard rumors that you lived around these parts, and convinced some local hikers to keep an eye on you.” I had no doubt his ‘convincing’ consisted of threats and force. “They reported back to me that you were spending a lot of time on the trails with three men. I knew you had such a meager pack of two, and was able to piece together that you’d met your mate. And I needed leverage,” he shrugged. “You have a tendency to run, but I knew that if I had your mate, you’d do anything to protect him. I wasn’t expecting him to be such a fighter, though.” His lips twisted into an evil grin. “I suppose opposites attract.” The group of men behind him laughed and smirked at me.
“I hate you for what you did to our parents, but you’re still my brother. I left because I didn’t want to fight you, Raven. I hoped in time you’d mature and become the leader the pack needed. I didn’t want father’s death to be in vain.”
“Those are a coward’s excuses,” Raven spat.
“You dare call our Alpha a coward?” Stone growled, stepping up to my left side.
“Alpha Phoenix is strong and valiant,” Rowan added, flanking my right. “Traits you know nothing about.”
“I know nothing of strength? I struck down a powerful Alpha!” Raven argued. “I took control of his pack. I am the fiercest leader in these lands; proven by the way weak members have moved on, unable to live up to my high standards.” Cockiness and greed had brought him here. He wasn’t happy with what he had; he wanted everything. Especially if that meant taking it from me, a man he believed to be weaker and less brave than him.
Rory surprised me by releasing my waist and nudging his way between me and Rowan, staring my brother down. “Instilling fear and making threats doesn’t equal strength. Phoenix protects his pack and cares about our well-being. He supports us and encourages us to be our best. That’s the strength of a leader.” I rested my hand on Rory’s shoulder and squeezed, silently thanking my mate for his words and boldness.
Raven’s lip curled. “What do you know of strength? You’re just a human, bred from weakness.”
“A human who killed one of your men,” Stone pointed out.
Raven merely shrugged. “An obviously expendable man if he got himself killed by a human.” Sadly, I was unsurprised
by the lack of empathy he had for the loss of a pack member, as well as the distaste he held for humans, whom he always believed to be a weaker species. “Besides, he disobeyed orders by attacking. I only wanted the human in my possession; I didn’t want him killed. You’re my prize.” Another wicked smile crossed his face. “And I want to have the honor of collecting my trophy personally. Fight me.”
“No,” I answered firmly. “There’s no reason for it. No more lives need to be lost tonight. Our packs have lived in peace for decades by staying away from each other. Our business is our own, as is yours. Leave here and take care of your pack.”
The smirk vanished from his face. “You don’t have a choice, brother.” Raven’s eyes grew cold and he held his head high to announce, “I challenge you to a fight to the death for control of your land, homes and pack.” Raven’s men cheered for their leader.
Vicious growls ripped from Rowan and Stone’s throats. Rory gasped and stepped in front of me, staring pleadingly into my eyes. “Don’t accept,” he begged. “Give him the land and our houses. The four of us can move on together. We’ll find somewhere else to live. All we need is each other. We know you’re a great leader; you don’t have to prove it this way. Don’t give into his hatred.”
Raven cackled a piercing laugh. “Stupid human; you don’t know how any of this works.” My pack mates growled louder, but they’d never attack without my permission.
I cupped Rory’s cheeks in my hands and looked into his pretty chocolate eyes, which were glistening with fear and confusion. “If I don’t accept his challenge, I surrender everything to him; not only our homes and land, but Stone, Rowan…” I swallowed hard before adding, “And you.”
“Not really my type,” Raven sneered, “But I have a feeling a few of my members would love to play with you.” Those men agreed by cheering and shouting lewd comments at my mate. A tear slipped down Rory’s cheek and I gently brushed it away with my thumb.
“It’s the only way to keep you safe,” I told him gently. His lip trembled as he gave a small nod.
“You have to win.”
“I promise.” I had no choice. If I lost, both my life and Rory’s would end tonight, and Rowan and Stone would be forced to pledge their allegiance to Raven, or be killed as well. I kissed Rory soundly and hugged him tightly, reveling in the feel of his body against mine. I buried my nose into his hair and inhaled his sweet scent deeply into my lungs, praying it wasn’t the last time. “I love you, Rory.”
“I love you too,” he replied in a shaky whisper.
I eased Rory next to Rowan, who tucked my mate under his arm. I stepped toe to toe with my brother and stared him in the eyes. “I accept your challenge.”
Chapter Eleven
Rory
In mere minutes, the arena was set. In the clearing next to our homes, a wide circle was drawn in the dirt. Torches were placed around the ring, illuminating the area in firelight. As the stage was being prepared, Phoenix held me in his arms and whispered promises of loving me forever to try and calm me down. I was a wreck; when he and I bonded, I never envisioned something like this happening. Our very lives hung in the balance. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the man who loved and cherished me, not to mention my pack family. My life was finally perfect, and it could all end tonight.
“It’s time,” Stone said sadly as he stepped next to Phoenix and me. I sobbed harder, burying my face into my husband’s chest.
“It’s okay,” Phoenix whispered. He placed his finger under my chin and lifted until I looked up at him. “Be strong for me, Rory.” He wiped my face dry and I managed to give him a slight nod. The last thing he needed was to be distracted by me. “I promise I won’t fail you.” He kissed my lips and stepped into the ring.
Stone took me under his arm and led me to the sideline. Rowan crowded next to my opposite side. My brothers were keeping watch over me and supporting me the best way they could. I looked around the ring to find Raven’s pack spread out on the other side. All of the shifters were now dressed in a pair of sweatpants; it was a condition Phoenix put on the match for dignity and respect, and I was thankful for it.
“We can’t enter the circle to help,” Rowan explained to me, bending down to speak softly into my ear. “It would mean an automatic loss for Phoenix. No matter what happens, you must stay here with us.” I swallowed hard and nodded my understanding.
“What will you do if Phoenix loses?” I asked quietly.
Rowan shook his head. “Don’t think like that. He won’t lose.”
“Please,” I begged. “I’ll be gone. I need to know what will happen to you.”
He gave me a sad smile. “I won’t submit to Raven.”
“Neither will I,” Stone offered.
I knew from conversations I’d had with the pack about shifter culture that only alphas could challenge other alphas for leadership. Rowan and Stone were both betas, which meant they could either submit to Raven and accept him as their new alpha, or be executed. They’d already made up their minds.
“Promise me you won’t go down without a fight,” I pleaded, looking between them. “Take out as many as you can to avenge Phoenix.”
“I promise,” they both answered.
“And in case this is the last time I get to talk to you, I want you both to know how much it means to me to be in your pack. You’ve accepted me and taught me so much. I really do think of you as my brothers, and I love you both. If I have to die tonight, I’m glad it’s with you by my side.” I wished I could see Dax one last time, but I didn’t want him here to witness this.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to have you as our Alpha’s mate,” Stone said, bowing his head.
“You are loyal and true,” Rowan added, also while lowering his head. “We love you too, and we will always stand by your side.” I gave them both the best smile I could muster before turning my attention to the ring.
Raven and Phoenix stood on opposite ends, staring one another down. They were of similar height and both had strong, muscular frames. They were well-matched, which didn’t help to soothe my nerves.
One of Raven’s men raised his hand and everyone fell quiet. “As the defending Alpha, Phoenix will now choose the form in which the match will be conducted.”
All eyes fell to my husband, though his didn’t budge from Raven. “I choose to fight in wolf form,” Phoenix announced clearly.
Murmurs broke out amongst the crowd, but the man got everyone’s attention once more. “Defender chooses wolf form. Remove your garments.” Phoenix and Raven stepped out of their pants and tossed them out of the ring. It was a formality to show they weren’t hiding any weapons, and to clear the stage of any obstructions. “Shift.”
A moment later, the ring was filled by two large, powerful wolves. I knew Phoenix’s brown wolf form well, and recognized Raven’s pitch black wolf form as one of the malicious animals on my porch earlier.
“Begin!”
Both wolves dropped low to the ground and stalked around the circle. The hair on the scruff of their necks was standing upright, and their snouts were wrinkled, showing their teeth. Raven was the first to strike. He bounded toward Phoenix and sank his teeth into Phoenix’s front leg.
Phoenix slammed his shoulder into his brother, knocking him to the ground. Raven dropped a mouthful of Phoenix’s flesh and fur onto the grass. The wound stopped bleeding and closed within moments.
Phoenix charged toward his brother, but when he was within striking range, Raven dug his paw into the earth and flung dirt into Phoenix’s eyes. He yelped and shook his head, trying to dislodge the debris.
“That slimy son of a bitch!” I yelled, furious at Raven’s cheating. I took an instinctive step toward the circle, but Stone gripped me around the waist.
“We can’t,” he reminded me. “Raven is fighting dirty because he knows Phoenix is stronger.”
While my poor mate was incapacitated, Raven charged at him and clamped his jaws around his throat. Phoenix blinked furiously, tryi
ng to clear his eyes as he attempted to yank free of the deadly hold, but Raven’s teeth only sank deeper.
“No!” I clawed at Stone’s arms, but his hold on me only tightened. “Let me go! Please, I can’t watch him die!” I wrestled against him and kicked my legs, but I was no match for his strength. “I’ll leave with Raven and his men, I don’t care what they do to me. Please, just let me go to him!”
“I can’t do that,” Stone answered, his voice heavy with sadness.
“Phoenix would rather die than let you leave with Raven,” Rowan added. He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. I had to do everything I could to keep that from happening.
“Fight!” I yelled to my husband. “Fight for me!” Phoenix stilled his jerky movements and looked at me. His eyes were now clear, but the light behind them was dimming. “You can’t hold back. He’s not your brother! These men are your brothers!” Stone’s hold kept me from motioning toward him and Rowan. “They’re your pack and they need you. I need you. You promised to protect me from anyone who tried to harm me.” Tears once again streamed down my cheeks. “He’s going to kill me too, Phoenix.”
As soon as the words left my lips, something flickered in Phoenix’s gaze. His eyes narrowed and intensified. He reared up on his back legs and dug his front claws into Raven’s sides. Blood gushed from the gashes, painting the grass red beneath them. Raven loosened his hold and Phoenix managed to back away.
“Yes!” I cried. “That’s my Alpha!” Stone whistled loudly over my head and Rowan clapped furiously.
Both wolves breathed heavily as their wounds closed. Once their bleeding stopped, they were right back at it. They rushed at each other and both of them lunged off of their powerful back legs. Their chests rammed together and they were a flurry of scratching claws, furious growls and snapping teeth.
A fire had been lit in Phoenix. Maybe he had been holding back because he still didn’t want to fight his brother, but that was over. His love for me and his duty to his pack won out and urged him on. He was the picture of dominating intensity as he slashed Raven’s flesh and bit chunks of skin and fur from his face and neck. My husband was a badass.
