None of that mattered right now, though.He ran between the trees, enjoying the feeling of his feet pounding on the forest ground and the dead leaves.He ran deeper into the woods, unsure of what he was looking for.
It wasn’t raised voices.
He stopped running, but he didn’t stop moving.He just slowed down, trying to listen to the loud voices.It wasn’t yelling, but it was close.
Someone wasn’t happy.
It was none of Seth’s business, but at the same time, the yeller sounded angry.It wouldn’t be unheard of for some pack members to attack others, or even worse, to attack people they felt didn’t belong, like Seth’s little pack and the mages.
Was that what was happening?Was one of the mages in danger?Seth didn’t know them, but he did know that it wouldn’t be fair for them to have to go through that.They were here because they finally refused to be forced to hurt people by their leaders.They wanted something different, to build a life they could be proud of and in which they didn’t have to fear for their lives.They’d made the right choice, and they shouldn’t be punished for that.
He made his way between the trees until he could see movement ahead.He was careful where he put his paws, but he didn’t think any of the three men heard him.One of them was too busy trying to calm the other two down, while the two would-be attackers were yelling at him.
That was definitely one of the mages.Seth had seen them when they’d first arrived, and while he hadn’t caught the man’s name, he remembered seeing him with a woman and a baby.
“Your kind isn’t welcome here,” one of the pack members said.
Seth was pretty sure his name was Tim.He hadn’t been happy when Seth and his pack had arrived, either, but Seth had ignored him.Of course, Tim had never been stupid enough to grab one of his friends and corner Seth in the forest.Considering that Seth’s brother was the alpha mate, it wouldn’t have ended well for him.
It wouldn’t this time, either.It didn’t matter that the mage wasn’t a shifter.He was a pack member because Chance had decided that he was, and that was that.Chance had been clear that whoever had a problem with his decision could talk to him or leave, and some pack members had.Others had stayed, even though they clearly were unhappy with their alpha’s choice.
Tough luck.
“Look, I don’t want any trouble,” the mage was saying.
“Then you shouldn’t be here.Your kind brings trouble.”
“I only ever did what I was ordered to do,” the mage said.
“And you think that’s an excuse?”
“I know it’s not.I know I should’ve said no.All of us should have.You can’t tell me that your first instinct wouldn’t be to obey if Chance ordered you to do something, though.You can’t tell me that you wouldn’t do anything to protect your family.”
Seth was impressed.The man was cornered, but he was standing up to the shifter ranting at him.He also wasn’t wrong.Most people would do anything in order to protect their families, including hurting other people.It wasn’t a good thing, but it happened, and ignoring that wouldn’t help anyone.
“We want you gone,” the other shifter said.Seth hadn’t been able to see him because he’d been behind a tree, but now, he could, and he recognized him, too.
The mage shook his head.“I’m really sorry, but that won’t happen.We don’t have anywhere to go.”
Christian, the second shifter, raised his hand.Before Seth could do anything about it, he backhanded the mage.It was strong enough to make the mage stumble, but not so strong to make him fall.That was a good thing, but it still enraged Seth.
He stepped forward, roaring loudly.If these two decided to fight him, he’d be in trouble, but he was counting on the fact that there were only two polar bear shifters in pack territory, and these two knew it.They had no idea who was standing in front of them, Seth or Theo.They wouldn’t risk attacking either of them.They knew what Chance would do if they did.
* * * *
FOR A SECOND, WHENthe polar bear stepped forward, Ryan wondered if they were going to attack him, too.Considering his luck, he wouldn’t have been surprised.He’d left the house to go for a walk and relax, and instead, he’d been berated and slapped.
Not a great way to end the day.
When the two shifters had confronted him, he’d tried to leave.He’d done everything he could to keep the situation under control.He didn’t want to use his magic on these guys.He didn’t want to give Chance a reason to kick him out.
If anything happened and Ryan had to leave the pack, his family would follow.That was why he couldn’t afford to do anything that would put their place here in jeopardy.Madeleine and Alyssa deserved a place to call home where they could feel safe and didn’t have to worry about the future.Ryan’s parents deserved to have a place where they could rest and watch their granddaughter grow up.Hell, even Ryan deserved to have a place where he could be at peace, but clearly, that wasn’t going to happen today.
The two shifters took a step back almost as one when they saw the polar bear.Ryan sucked in a breath and waited, hoping this wouldn’t become an even bigger mess than it already was.
“Is that the alpha mate?”the shifter who’d hit Ryan asked.
“Could be,” the other whispered.
