Page 65 of The Night Wolf
Sean grinned. “Seriously, that’s the one I’m hoping he chooses. You’ve got to trust me, Gareth. You’ve got this in the bag.”
Gareth squinted. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“You’ll know when the time is right. It’s something that Ryker thinks he understands, but he’s got no clue.”
“Okay. When should we do this?”
“Custom dictates you have one week after the challenge is formalized before it takes place. If we go talk to him now, then it’ll be next Monday.”
“I wish I had your confidence.”
Sean reached out a hand and stroked Gareth’s face. “You can have it in me. I swear. I will never let you down. Ryker has hurt too many people, and it’s past time he pays.”
A tiny thrill went through Gareth to see Sean like this. He wasn’t cowering or hiding—he was going to face this head-on, with Gareth by his side.
He could do this.
GARETH SEEMEDto be a lot calmer and more in control than Sean. He was sweating bullets as they stopped at the gates of Ryker’s compound and waited to be summoned before their Alpha. The young girl who approached them couldn’t have been more than eleven or twelve, and she was in no better shape than Quinn had been: far too skinny, her brown hair limp and stringy. She wouldn’t meet Gareth’s gaze, and only glanced out of the corner of her eye when she saw Sean.
He knelt down. “What’s your name, honey?”
“Margaret.” Her cheeks paled and her hands trembled. “Please don’t tell Master I said that. He said I don’t have a name.”
Sean reached into his pocket and took out a chocolate bar. “Here, you take this and I’ll keep your name a secret.”
It was obvious how desperate she was, but she took a step back. “No, I can’t. Master said only he can give us food.”
Gareth growled. “I’m sorry, Margaret. I promise to make this right for all of you, okay?”
Her eyes shone when she peered up at Gareth, who stood silhouetted against the sun. He looked every bit the Alpha these people needed. “Yes, Alpha.”
Kristopher poked his head out of one of the buildings. “Bitch, bring them in.”
“Yes, sir!”
Sean bit back the angry retort. He was going to enjoy seeing Gareth shred this bastard. Margaret reached for Gareth’s hand and then for Sean’s and held on for dear life. Sean knew the hell she was living under, and he vowed it would stop.
Margaret led them into Ryker’s house, and Sean froze at the door. Too many horrible memories, too many friends who went in and never left. He gazed down at Margaret, who gave him an expectant look. He drew in a breath, then crossed the threshold.
Ryker stepped out from one of the rooms, his arms crossed over his chest, with eight other people following behind him. Sean recognized some of his former packmates, but not others. Ryker pinned Gareth with a harsh stare. “I’m going to admit, I thought a lot of things, but I never figured you’d be stupid enough to come here and to bring him with you.”
Gareth cleared his throat as he stepped forward. “I am here as Alpha of the Lydon pack to issue a formal challenge to you, Ryker Desmond.”
Ryker smacked Kristopher in the arm. “He’s got a set on him, doesn’t he?”
Kristopher chuckled, mean and nasty. “Can I kill him now?”
“Sadly, no. He’s being all formal, which means I have to be hospitable.” Ryker faced Gareth. “Per your request, this is a public gathering. Tell me about your challenge.”
“One-on-one combat, Alphas only. No other pack member may interfere. The fight will continue until one of us is dead. The choice of forms is yours as the challenged party.”
“And what are the stakes when I take your heart?”
“If you win, the lands of Lydon and the people who live there will belong to you.” Gareth swallowed hard. “This will include my mate and our unborn child.”
Dark eyes widened. “You’re so sure you’ll win that you’re going to bet the life of all your peopleandyour mate?”
“I’m going to admit, the decision to include Sean was his alone.”
