“The women in the pack weren’t coddled. They had to fight to survive just like the rest of us.” Their fights could be as brutal as the men.
“Perhaps they found a way out,” Hunter says.
“It’s been years since you’ve been with them. You don’t know the state of the pack.” Bane chuckles. “Heath is ready to take off some heads.” His phone beeps constantly.
“What’s happening?” I ask.
“Many of them are drinking before the fight. He just interrupted two of the men with Tawney in the dressing room.” He growls low. “She propositioned Heath. He is quickly losing his patience.”
“Tawney doesn’t respect the bond,” I say softly. If Juliana knew her mate was at the center of Tawney’s attention, she would be the one taking off her head.
“Heath decided to start the first fight. Get there fast,” Bane says.
“He’s trying to control them with what they enjoy,” I say.
“Micah and Quinn are there,” Hunter says.
“I’m sure Frank enjoyed meeting them,” I say dryly.
“He doesn’t know Micah. He’s good at hiding his age and power if needed.” Hunter slows as he comes close to the building. “Once we get out, he may smell our scent.”
“We need to rescue Heath if nothing else,” I say, rolling my shoulders. “We’ll be inside before he smells me. He’s not that powerful, and there are too many scents in the gym.”
“Remember,” Hunter says as he parks the car. “If he gets the upper hand, we won’t hesitate to kill him.” He shuts off the engine and turns to me. “You are our priority. When you get what you need, we’re done dealing with him.”
“I understand.”
He grabs the side of my neck, and I freeze. “You don’t.” He narrows his eyes. “We won’t allow him to fuck with you,” he says firmly.
“I get it, Brother,” I rasp, nodding.
“We go in together,” Bane growls. “And we come out together.”
“Our mate is waiting for our return,” Remy says softly.
I meet their eyes and nod to each of them. Hunter drops his arm and opens his door. We follow his lead, walking toward the side door. The back door leads to the changing rooms, which are in use, so the best plan for a surprise is through the side emergency door. As we get close, I move in front of Hunter. Most of the time, he's always the one in front of us, but this time, it’s my turn. I won’t hide from my demons anymore.
The pack expects a crowd later, so Heath must have spun some lie as to why no one was here yet. I grip the door handle as I prepare to walk into my past. My brothers wait patiently, always supporting. Exhaling harshly, I open the door. The sounds of fists hitting flesh and cheering assault my ears. The memory flashes through my mind, and I have to force myself to step inside. I slowly move far enough inside so my brothers can enter, and stop. The corner where we entered is dark, and far enough away from the action that I take a moment to study the room. Two shifters are in the ring, fighting to the death. I recognize them as two of the older shifters. Many of the faces are familiar as I scan the bodies circling the ropes, cheering.Micah is standing close to Heath, his face passive. Heath looks bored, but his body is tense. Quinn is against the wall, his arms folded. There are twenty-five pack members. As I spy the couple who made my life hell, my claws emerge. Tawney is close to Frank, her arm around his waist as if she didn’t just have time with others in the pack. Frank snarls instructions toward the fighting men. I take a step, and he frowns. I keep moving, my brothers keep pace, and he looks around. I stare at him, waiting, and move down the aisle between the seats. Now, he’s pushing Tawney away and searching the crowd. The bodies and the sweat in the air make it hard to tell where my scent is coming from. As I step into the light, his eyes meet mine. His surprise causes me to grin slightly. There isn’t much that catches him off guard.
“Lawson,” he growls, and everything stops.
The fighters freeze, their hands raised mid-throw. The pack turns facing my direction. Heath’s face isn’t blank anymore, and his disdain is clear. Micah moves silently, as does Quinn, and they position themselves at different corners. Bash glides from the back hallway, his maker and friend, Ryker, the King of Vampires, beside him. The lions enter from the front door, and Atlas and Luca come in behind them.
My chest feels tight. I wasn’t aware anyone else was coming, and their presence, more than anything, solidifies my welcome into the family.
“What's this?” Tawney hisses, turning back and forth. I can smell her fear of the newcomers.
“Lawson’s pack,” Heath says, gripping his cane tightly.
“He doesn’t have a pack,” Frank snarls, squinting. “He left his.” He glances around the room. “His family.” Hunter growls.
“You were never my family,” I say quietly. My mind buzzes with the show of support and the shock of being in their presence again.
“Who? Them?” He lifts his chin toward my brothers. I eliminate the space between us in a second, coming to a stop inches away.
“Yes,” I hiss. My chest rises with my rage. “They have always been my family. You took me away from them.”
“Boy,” he snorts. “They threw you at me.”
