Page 114 of Savage Games

Blake shakes his head as he moves forward.“Wyatt said you challenged him for everything he has.That’s more than just a mate.”

Brad’s face goes pale as he replays the conversation in his head.

That’s exactly what Wyatt said, and that’s exactly what Brad agreed to.And anytime.

My heart leaps into my throat.A formal challenge.Not an attack, not a brawl, but a sanctioned way to settle disputes between alphas or alpha potentials.And Brad just accepted Wyatt’s.

“This is bullshit…” he starts, trying to talk his way out of his mistake.“That wasn’t a formal challenge, and I need to get back to my pack.”

“You’re not going anywhere.”Blake’s command slams into us all, but Brad visibly flinches, freezing on the spot as Blake uses his powerful aura to make it absolutely clear that Brad can’t talk his way out of this one.

The weight of Blake's command is like a physical force, pressing down on all of us.Even at this distance, I feel my wolf instinctively lowering her head, acknowledging his power.

Brad, the full target of that command, looks like he's struggling to breathe."It’s my land, all of it.This competition shouldn’t even exist.This territory should have been returned to our pack.”

Blake frowns and shakes his head.“I’ve heard it all before, Brad.Yes, it was yours, for a while, but your father stole it from someone else, who probably took it from another pack a hundred years ago.Where does it end?This is a fair way of finding a new leader without carving up borders and disrupting the lives of ordinary wolves who just want to live in peace.”

Stepping forward, Blake straightens to his full height.“And none of that has anything to do with the challenge issued and accepted here today.”

It’s clear Brad won’t be wiggling his way out of this one.

“I have nothing to prove to a rogue."Brad hisses, dismissing the challenge offhandedly, hoping bluster will get him out of the predicament he’s in.

"Don't you, though?The alpha who let his brother abuse his mate?Who tried to kill a competitor rather than face him fairly?Who threatens women to get what he wants?Sounds like you have plenty to prove," Jamie shouts, getting her blows in on behalf of her brother as she grips my hand tightly in hers.

Brad's reply is too low to hear clearly, but I catch Wyatt's response, satisfaction evident in his tone.

"Face me or run away and let everyone know exactly what kind of alpha you really are," Wyatt says, standing up straight, every inch the alpha he was born to be.

The silence that follows is deafening.Brad recognizes the trap he's in.Deny it, and he looks like a coward.Accept it, and he has to fight the beast in front of him.Fairly.

"Do you plan to complete this challenge, Brad?"Dean asks, his tone betraying nothing.“Or do you forfeit?”

"I… What… right now?"Brad stops, recalculating."I didn't understand… This is a setup.You're all conspiring against me."

He glances around but finds no support for his stance.Everyone heard it loud and clear.

"Did you or did you not accept Wyatt's challenge?"Blake presses, his voice carrying the full weight of his authority."Your own words, Brad."

Brad's face contorts with rage and growing panic."I was provoked… it was a fucking trick…"

He’s not going to get out of this with excuses.Blake’s disgust at his evasiveness is apparent.

"Answer the question," Blake cuts him off, tone sharp.

Brad's jaw works silently for a moment before he finally spits, "Yes.Fine.Yes.But I didn’t think it was a real challenge."

"Then you are a fool.Three witnesses confirm you accepted the challenge," Blake says, his tone leaving no room for argument.“There’s no way out of it.”

“Four,” Ryan says, appearing from the cabin next door.“I heard it loud and clear, too.”

I narrow my eyes at the arrogant male, still not forgetting his part in the way Wyatt was treated, but begrudgingly appreciating that maybe he’s trying to do the right thing now.

As his gaze meets Brad's, I see genuine disgust there.Even Ryan has his limits, it seems, and Brad has pushed him past his.

"Under our laws, you must either fight here and now, or concede defeat, with all that entails,” Blake reminds him.

The color drains from Brad's face."You can't mean…"

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