Page 38 of Into the Dawn

It's a shortcut to power, and a shot at leadership within the clan. And even Jed knows he’s no match for some of these men, and they all know it.

My brother might wear the marks of an alpha's heir, but his position is maintained more through our father's influence than by any natural dominance. The only thing stopping any of them from gutting the little weasel is the threat of reprisal from my father, who, let’s be honest, only protects him because a challenge to Jed is a mark of disrespect to him and his position.

But a second son might be able to fight for the opportunity to take over.

Around here, where resources are scarce and hierarchy is everything, power means survival. A better house, a cushy job, and even protection from my brother's bullying. And all of its being dangled like a prize in front of their noses, for the small price of putting up with me and fighting Ben.

My father's voice rises above the chatter. "If you're interested, step to my left, and get in line. You'll have your chance to speak with Vanessa before the fight begins, to see if she's to your taste. But believe me boys, she's a feisty one. Only the brave need apply."

The men holler and call, their beady eyes raking over me, some now glowing with undisguised hunger. Each lecherous gaze feels like an unwanted touch, making my skin crawl, but I force myself to keep my head high and my expression blank as I store away as much information as I can about who drove which vehicle, who looks the most disgusted by what's going on, and who looks like they might be willing to help in a pinch.

My beast catalogues their scents, marking who’s showing too much interest for our liking.

Most of the women sit huddled together at the back, faces pale, probably remembering when they were subjected to something similar, or at least having the decency to be empathetic for my plight considering the men who've been starved of good role models to emulate.

Puffing out their chests, half a dozen men move to the side, eager to prove their worth. One even leaves his girlfriend's side, much to her disgust.

Most of them don't stand a chance at beating Ben, at least, not one-on-one, and will probably leave the fight with serious injuries. Not that it matters to my father. To him, this is just sport, and another way to reinforce the old ways, reminding everyone of their place in his hierarchy.

There are two or three men, though, who are actual threats, both to Ben, and to me. Their beasts are strong—I can sense it in the way the air changes around them, in the predatory grace of their movements.

The thought of letting any of them touch me, much less anything else, makes my stomach churn. I clench my fists, steadying myself against the wave of dizziness and the buzzing in my ears, as panic fights to take control.

My father leans down, his breath hot against my ear, carrying the metallic tang of alpha dominance.

"Don't be fucking cute, Vanessa. Keep your mouth shut. No smart comments, and this will be over as quickly as possible. You'll only make it worse for yourself by putting up a fight."

With that nugget of fatherly wisdom dispensed, he stands straight, looking smug.

I blink up at him, the man I once called my father, now, nothing more than another patriarchal threat. Because I distanced myself from him over the past years, I didn't realise just how twisted he's become, or how deeply he's embraced the most primitive aspects of our nature…

I do now, but it may be too late.

Hatred simmers in my chest, sharper than I thought possible. Part of me wants to kick him where it hurts, to tell him what a vile excuse for a human being he is. My beast is willing to go down fighting, her rage burning hot enough to override my common sense…

But not yet.

My priority is staying alive until I figure out how to get Ben and John out of here. Whatever my father has planned tonight, it doesn't include my death. I’ll cling to that. I'd rather Ben and John escape and come back for me later, than watch them die here trying to protect me.

As my mind races through my limited options, I feel it—a shift in the air.

A ripple in the energy of the gathering makes every shifter present tense instinctively, including my beast, who’s instantly on high alert as my body tenses.

Ben… He’s here.

My eyes snap to him as he emerges from the darkness near the edge of the circle. Locking onto his glowing amber gaze across the desolate, dusty clearing, my heart skips a beat, and time stands still.

The pull between us, the mate-bond we've both tried so hard to deny, flares to life, despite our attempts to suppress it.

Ben looks mostly unharmed despite his tight jaw and his claws protruding from his fingertips. He looks ready to fight, his beast closer to the surface than I've ever seen it. John’s standing beside him, however; pale, weak, and barely alive as he waivers on his feet. That man is in no condition to run anywhere, much less walk out of here.

We won't be escaping on foot.

Ben's jaw clenches harder when he sees the row of men standing near my father, and a loud growl drowns out the blood-thirsty murmuring of the baying crowd. His control is slipping as the beast within him responds to the threats to his mate.

The crowd shifts uneasily, instinctively drawing back from the display of dominant aggression. Even those who, just moments ago, were eager to claim me seem less certain now, faced with the reality of challenging an apex predator.

His beast is ready to take control. The air grows thick with tension as those nearest to him back away further, recognizing the danger signs of a shifter who won’t be easily overcome.

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