Clyde was still laughing. “Who the fuck are ye to be warningme? I hold all the cards here, Finlay. Today ends the reign of the McCarthy Clan. Finally, it’ll be our time to shine.”
He took a step backwards, dragging me with him. I stumbled over my own feet, my breath rasping through the hold Clyde had on me.
Finn growled, his fists clenching tighter as a muscle jumped in his jaw.
I closed my eyes as fear threatened to overwhelm me. Just then, Finn’s voice barked out. “Eyes on me, m’eudail.” They flew open to see Finn watching me closely. He didn’t look away from me as he addressed Clyde. “I thought you just wanted Reid back.”
“I did,” Clyde said, “but let’s just say I’m an opportunist. Seems you’ll do anything to keep your little human alive. So long as he’s in my custody, I’ll be the one holding your lead. You’re forgetting the power of leverage, Finlay. I’m happy to remind you.”
“The only one who holds my lead is the man you’re currently choking,” Finn growled. “And I’m not the only one forgetting important facts here.”
“Oh?” Clyde dragged me back another step, sarcasm oozing from him. “Do enlighten me.”
Finn bared his teeth. “Wolves hunt in packs.”
Chapter 31
Finn
Staying in my human form while Clyde had the love of my life at his mercy had almost killed me. But it had been necessary to get us to this moment. It was the only reason Buddy hadn’t forced the shift.
We’d been waiting. Distracting Clyde long enough for the others to get into position. Keeping his attention on me so he wouldn’t realise he’d been surrounded.
Without me saying another word, Evan leaped from the roof of Chester’s house, landing directly on Clyde. He’d remained in his human form to make the move clean.
At the same moment, Calan dove through Chester’s kitchen window, grabbing Chester around the waist and ripping him from Clyde’s grip. He twisted in the air, his hard body protecting Chester’s as they went skidding across the ground.
The only one of us to transform was Logan. He’d been lurking behind Clyde, sneakily drawing closer the whole time I’d talked. As the jaguar shifter hit the deck, Logan pounced, jaws open wide.
Clyde recovered quickly, shifting as he realised he wasoutnumbered. His enormous paws swiped out at Logan as snarls and growls filled the air. Bones cracked as Evan shifted too, throwing himself into the mass of fur that was Logan and Clyde.
There was no question of letting Clyde walk away from this. He’d violated the treaty the instant he’d touched Chester. I didn’t give a shit if this triggered an all-out war with the Clarkson Clan.
He’d threatened Chester. Hurt him. Planned to kidnap him and hold him hostage.
Eternal death was the only outcome left for Clyde.
Calan got to his feet, helping Chester to his. He glanced at me and I saw the question in his eyes. Should he shift? Or stay and protect Chester?
I wavered. My wolf was demanding justice. Begging me to jump into the fray and seek the vengeance that was owed to me.
But then my gaze fell on Chester. On how the blood had leeched from his face. His shaking hands covering his mouth in horror. The way he swayed on his feet as Clyde landed a lucky hit on Evan, fur and flesh flying.
And I knew exactly where my priority was.
“Calan go,” I shouted, running to where he and Chester stood. He transformed as soon as I was within arm’s reach of Chester, landing on four paws less than a second later.
I grabbed Chester’s face in my hands, gently spinning him so his back was to the chaos. “Eyes on me, m’eudail.”
“E-E-Evan,” he stuttered. “You have to help them.”
“Breathe,” I said, taking his hand and putting it on my chest. “The others are fine. Evan’s healed already.”
“Are you sure?”
My gaze flicked over his shoulder to see thethree wolves literally pulling Clyde to pieces. “Aye, m’eudail. Just keep your eyes on me. It’s nearly over.”
Chester winced at the sound of bones breaking. I had to admit, even as a seasoned warrior, the noises were brutal. As I’d expected, my inner circle were taking this attack on Chester personally.