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“Who called you?” I boomed, finally calming a wriggling Savannah.
“Who knows?” he shrugged. “The woman on the other end of the line told me that a slut of a hunter had sauntered into Moonlight Creek and shacked up with an alpha called Donovan. She’d heard from somewhere that Savannah was supposed to be working for me and felt it her duty to tell me that my sneaky bounty hunter had chosen to cross me.”
Everleigh, my wolf whispered in my mind, and I couldn’t discount it. But logic made me wonder how she would have known Savannah’s background and the link to Gideon. It didn’t make sense.
Gideon continued, “You’ve got a nice place here, Warren.”
“My name isn’t Warren any longer.” Relieved, I noticed Harrison and Kyran turn up with Max.
“Doesn’t matter what your name is.” Gideon remained focused on me. “You’ve always had strokes of luck and a golden phallus, boy. First my daughter, now this slut who chose to fuck you rather than save her family.”
The audacity of the son of a bitch. “Belinda’s baby wasn’t mine. I told you that when I wouldn’t honor the union. You’ve got old gripes about that, then that’s on you. But Savannah? Insult her again. I fucking dare you.”
“Ah,” he chuckled. “I get it. I do. You need to defend her honor. Blah blah blah. The woman who called told me you’ve made Savannah your mate. She didn’t seem too thrilled about it.”
“Everleigh,” Savannah whispered from beside me.
I ignored her realization and said to Gideon. “You need to get the fuck out of here.”
Gideon shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere.” He cast his hands around. “This is all mine now. Mine by right. Mine by blood. Mine by pack. And I love what you’ve done with the place. Butmypack doesn’t need you any longer now their rightful alpha has arrived.”
My hands shook. I was so close to shifting. I was ready to tear out the fucker’s throat and Max sensed it. He stepped out from the crowd and addressed Gideon. “Maximillian Portland, at your service.”
Gideon’s eyebrows rose. “Is that so?” He chuckled. “Heard a lot of packs are rising against you. They’re saying you won’t last the month.”
Max sneered, “I have connections in every pack in the north. Even if their alphas don’t know it. Money talks. And so does power. I have plenty of both, so don’t worry about me.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I also haven’t got where I am today by trying to overthrow other packs with only one gun at my waist and a few men at my back. You’re deluded if you believe you can overthrow a whole town with so little.”
Gideon narrowed his eyes. “How do you know I don’t have more men coming?”
“An army wouldn’t be big enough,” Max warned, the brutality in his promise paying truth to some of the rumors that circulated about him. A few of Gideon’s men faltered.
“I’m ready to tear off his fucking head,” I growled, my wolf rearing so high I was losing control.
“How about something less bloodthirsty?” Max proposed, stepping closer toward Gideon. To him, he suggested, “Are you up for a challenge? To win back what you see asrightfullyyours?”
“That didn’t work for me last time,” Gideon snapped.
“Yes. Because you lost. But you’re a seasoned wolf now, aren’t you? Donovan is no longer someone who roams the land, gaining strength. He’s been busy over the years, building the town, putting his all into it. Maybe the playing field is more level now? I’ll honor the challenge. I’ll oversee it as pack law. If Donovan agrees, you fight for Moonlight Creek. If you win, you get the town. If he wins, you let Savannah and her uncle go, and leave here, never looking back. Or choose death. Either way, I don’t give a shit.”
“Alright.” He narrowed his eyes. “I’ll agree to the challenge on one condition.”
“And that is?”
“Victor keeps the bounty hunter for collateral.”
“No!” I roared, ready to pummel my friend if he agreed.
Gideon shrugged. “Either that or …” He gave the signal to the man standing over Will. The man raised his foot, ready to stomp on his head.
“No!” Savannah screamed, running toward Will before I could stop her. “Take me. Take me as collateral.”
I howled in pain, held back by Kyran and Harrison as Victor snatched her up.
“Check her for weapons,” Gideon ordered.
