Page 20 of Sanctuary

“You want my alpha status?” Eric spat blood at Foster’s feet. “Then you take my status the way it was meant to be taken.”

Foster’s howl of rage echoed in the night as he shifted. Eric’s smile was sinister as he also shifted. The wolves paced back and forth watching each other intently. Foster nipped at Eric, who easily jostled out of the way.

Them sizing each other up didn’t last long. As some of the wolves formed a protective circle around Gemma, the rest formed a circle around Eric and Foster. Gemma realized that one person would not be walking out of the circle alive. Even though she had confidence in Eric, her overwhelming fear made her shake. She cried out when Foster made a sudden move, catching Eric off guard and biting him in the flank with an aggressive head shake. Not seeming fazed, Eric shook if off, then howled before attacking. Once Eric started, there was no stopping him. It wasn’t even a fair fight. Eric was relentless in his attack on Foster, as if his patience had been worn thin and he was done with the game.

A few times Gemma had to turn her head away. Even though she was used to the wolves, seeing two fight each other was almost too much, especially when one of those wolves concealed the man she loved.

As Foster lay whimpering on his side, Eric, the wolf, turned to look at her and then dropped his head as if in a bow before finishing with the killing blow.

The wolves that had circled her moved away, heading to Eric. As a pack, they all rose their heads toward the sky and, as one, howled. It was a sight she would never forget. To her dismay, Eric then left the group and disappeared into the darkness.

She started to run after him but was stopped as she was once again surrounded by wolves. “Please let me go after him,” she said, but none budged.

“He’ll be back,” Larry said behind her. “Gemma, are you okay?”

She turned toward him, then reached out and went into his arms. “Yeah, I’m okay,” she replied, then shook as the tears broke free.

After Larry released her she stood feeling more alone than she ever had in her entire life. It seemed like hours she stood there, but in reality it was only a few moments before she was turned and wrapped into large strong arms.

“I’ve got you.” Eric’s voice washed over her and she suddenly felt safe. “I’m so sorry, Gemma.”

She shook her head, but the words wouldn’t come. All she could do was hold him tight and cry into his chest. Finally getting her voice, she pulled back. “You were going to kneel,” was the only thing she could say.

“To save the woman I love…” Eric stared down at her face with a frown. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do. You are my mate, my life.”

“You love me.” She didn’t ask it as a question, but just stated the fact she had doubted.

“More than anything in this world.” He accidentally touched her rashed face making her hiss. His frown deepened. “I swear if I could kill him again, I would.”

“Hey, can I get a little help in here?” Lance’s voice shouted out from the house.

Gemma walked inside with Eric. When Lance found her and Foster out in the barn, Lance had tried to help her. Foster had knocked him out cold, and after tying her up in the chair, he had dragged Lance inside and tied him up too.

“He tried to help me,” Gemma told Eric as they got closer to Lance.

“How did you get involved with that bastard?” Eric asked Lance, his tone indicating he wasn’t playing a game and was deadly serious.

“He was just a hired hand,” Lance answered with a frown. “I swear I had no idea what he was about.”

Eric gave him a hard glare. “If I find out you’re lying, I will kill you.” He nodded at Larry, who started to untie him.

“No matter what you think of me, if I’d known he’d raped a woman, he wouldn’t have been working here,” Lance replied, rubbing his wrist as he stood. “Even though I’ve wanted to kill some of your wolves, I never would have hurt you, Gemma.”

“Well, I think your attitude toward wolves should change since it seems a few saved your ass tonight.” Larry glanced around at the wolves staring at them.

Lance gave a shaky nod, eyeing the wolves nervously.

“Sheriff Brennan is dead,” Gemma replied with a shiver as she swallowed hard. “He’s in his car.”

“Jesus,” Lance said, then grabbed his phone. “I guess I need to call the police. Did you kill Foster?”

“I did.” Eric nodded without apology.

“Shit, okay.” Lance pointed toward the door. “Go on. I’ll get this handled.”

Both Gemma and Eric hesitated.

“Trust me.” Lance held out his hand toward Eric. “I appreciate what you did because now knowing about Brennan, I’m sure my fate was going to be the same as the sheriff’s. Now go on and take your wolves with you so I can get that piece of shit off my front yard.”

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