Page 74 of The Night Wolf
The crowd’s voices rose, words like “with child” and “Ryker was going to hurt an Omega” spreading like wildfire.
“Yes, Ryker kidnapped me, took me away from the father of my children, and wanted to force me to be his. He’s also abused and tortured my brother, and I know for a fact that some of you are aware of it and took part in it. This will not be forgiven or forgotten.”
Sean was about to continue when something sharp was pressed into his lower back.
“Say one more word, and I’ll gut you here and now.”
Kristopher! Sean should have seen this coming. Kristopher couldn’t interfere with the fight directly, so instead he was going to make Gareth lose by threatening his mate. Gareth saw him, too, because he started toward Sean.
“Move out of the area and you forfeit!” Ryker’s gaze narrowed. “You don’t want to lose that way, do you? Better to die as a man than run like a coward. What will it be, Blackthorn?”
Sean shook his head, and Gareth turned back to Ryker.
“Fine, but tell your enforcer to step away from my mate.”
“No, I think not. See, he’s been given his instructions, so he knows what to do. Fight me and win, Kristopher kills Sean. Fight me and lose, the pleasure will be mine to end his life. Either way, today he dies.”
Sean?
I’m okay, Gareth. Do what you have to. I promise, this is all going to be fine.
Ryker untied the robe and let it slip from his body. Margaret rushed forward and retrieved it, then hurried off to the side once more. Gareth’s movements were much more deliberate. He undid the belt, then took the robe off. Both men stood naked, and Sean noted their similarities. There were also differences that were important. Where Ryker’s body was bulky with muscles, Gareth, though nearly as big, was toned and fit. He stood there, in all his glory. His skin was dusky in the fading light. He folded the robe, then turned and placed it in Margaret’s outstretched hands. Her expression as she gazed at Gareth told Sean everything he needed to know. She wanted Gareth to win, to take her from this life of pain and misery. Sean wanted the same thing, and though he was certain of the outcome, he held his breath, because the best-laid plans of mice and wolves could often go awry.
Chapter Twenty-One
GARETH’S MINDwas going overtime. Sean could die, no matter what Gareth did. He’d said everything was fine, but how could it be? He turned to see Ryker’s smug grin as he shifted into the biggest gray wolf Gareth had ever seen. His teeth were larger than Gareth’s finger, sharp and dripping with saliva. He lunged and snarled, but Gareth wouldn’t let Ryker intimidate him.
The two stood staring at each other, and Gareth assumed Ryker wanted Gareth to make the first move, but that wasn’t going to happen. He might not be a fighter, but Gareth also didn’t act in haste. He would wait for his opportunity to strike and hope to hell he could win and save Sean. If he won and Sean died, then he still lost it all.
“I knew you couldn’t be trusted not to cheat.” Gareth edged closer. “Is that how you beat everyone else? You’ve always had Kristopher as your ace in the hole. You’d threaten someone, and the Alpha would have no choice but to surrender and die. So you know, I’m not like them. Yes, you have Sean, but nothing on earth will stop me from killing you. Sean told me to fight, and I’m going to.”
Ryker’s eyes narrowed and he leaped forward, going directly for Gareth’s throat. With a twist of his body, Gareth sidestepped the attack, causing Ryker to crash to the ground. He got up, shook, then stalked toward Gareth again.
“You’re a coward, you know that, right? You’re a big man when it comes to abusing women and children, but when it comes to being an actual Alpha, you’re nothing more than a disgusting piece of shit.”
A howl tore from Ryker a mere moment before he went after Gareth again. Once more, Gareth moved out of the way, with Ryker biting nothing but air. The truth hit Gareth at that moment.
“You can’t fight. You use your size to intimidate people, and when that doesn’t work, you send in Kristopher. I’m willing to bet you thought your size would give you the advantage, but so far, you haven’t landed an attack.”
Over and over again, Ryker charged, and each time Gareth simply moved out of his way. When it seemed the battle was in doubt, Ryker slammed into Gareth, knocking him to the ground. Though Gareth scrabbled back and attempted to regain his footing, Ryker was on him, sinking his jaws into Gareth’s leg, crushing the bone. Gareth snarled and punched Ryker in the face, dazing him. He stumbled back, shook it off, then padded nearer.
Blood ran down Gareth’s leg through large tears in his skin and muscle. He still stood, favoring his good leg, resolute, determined that he would face Ryker no matter what. He took one last look at Sean, who stood there with a wide smile on his face.
“I love you, Gareth!” He tilted his head back and called to the sky, “I choose you, Gareth Blackthorn.”
His voice echoed through the area like thunder. No, wait. Thatwasthunder. Where the sky had been clear moments ago, storm clouds gathered, dark and foreboding. Even Ryker stopped to stare up at the fury in the heavens.
“Pay me heed, my children!” A woman’s voice, but it was coming from Sean’s mouth. “Hearken and listen well, for judgment is nigh.”
“It’s time, Gareth!” This time Sean’s voice rang out, but then his expression went dark again.
Sean shoved a stunned Kristopher away, then yanked off his shirt, revealing the dark stain on his shoulder. This time when he spoke, it was his voice but overlaid by the woman’s.
“For years we believed no good Alphas were left in this world. We feared the time of wolf had come to an end. Then we met you, Gareth Blackthorn, and our hearts rejoiced.”
Sean moved slowly through the crowd until he got to where Gareth and Ryker were. He turned his gaze on Ryker and sneered.
“You pathetic excuse for a wolf. You have no idea what it means to be an Alpha. When I created the wolves, it was with one goal in mind: to guide our people into the coming age. Wolves were never meant to be separate from the human. Indeed, they were meant to be as one, working in harmony. The human had the intellect and drive, the wolf possessed the passion. Only together could they be whole. Instead, you’ve tainted what I created, turned it into something dark and evil. Your people slaughtered my children, the Omegas, who were meant to bring peace to the world, instead plunging your packs into pointless wars for power and land.”
