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“I’ve never laid a hand on a female before. I warned you about threatening my mate, so if you push me – if you try to harm her, I will stop you.”
Valerie’s wild gaze darted between Diesel and Em. He felt Em get off the stool and move between Hemi and Demi to stand at his back, her hands gripping his shirt. He could scent her fear and it made his lion nuts.
There was a commotion at the security door leading upstairs. Diesel’s gaze broke from Valerie’s as he watched her father and alpha barrel toward them. Valerie seemed to sense his distraction because she lunged, claws and fangs bared.
Then Demi stepped in front of him.
Her fist shot out and she nailed Valerie in the center of her face, her nose breaking with a sickening crack. She fell to the floor in a heap and didn’t get up.
“Lucky for you Idohit girls,” Demi said, smiling at him over her shoulder.
“Thanks.” Diesel brought Em around to his side and held her close, eyeing Valerie’s father as he knelt at her side and cradled his daughter’s bloodied head. Duke roared suddenly, his lion all-out and fully pissed. The entire bar went silent and the music clicked off.
“Everyone out.Now.”
Titus scrambled with several of the high-ranked males to open the doors and usher the patrons outside. In minutes, the bar was clear save for their small group.
“You okay, baby?” Diesel murmured to Em.
She swallowed audibly. “Yes. No. I’m... What’s going on?”
Duke pushed between their groups and snarled at the visitors. “You came here with the intention of destroying a mating. You threatened to bring war to my borders if we didn’t comply. And to top it all off, your female attempted to attack a mate under my protection in my damn bar. By our laws, your lives are mine. I could kill you and I’d be fully in line with what our people expect. So, tell me why I shouldn’t end you all right now.”
Benecio looked at the still-unconscious Valerie and then turned sideways and stared at Demi with an inscrutable look.
Demi straightened, warily eyeing the alpha.
“Tell you what,” Benecio said. “I recognize that my people didn’t act right, and that I supported them coming here and trying to enforce the arranged mating. The attack against the human was not something I agreed with, however, and for that part, I apologize. I would like to make amends for the situation by swearing that Valerie and her family will never set foot in Kedrick again, under threat of death. From me.”
Duke’s eyes narrowed. “And?”
“And I’ll come back for the female when tensions have settled.”
Benecio looked right at Demi, and she jerked in surprise. “The hell?” she sputtered.
Hemi growled angrily and stepped in front of his sister, cracking his knuckles. “You’re off your nut if you think I’ll allow my sister to mate an alpha who stands by while his people act like assholes.”
“I can speak for myself,” Demi said. “And I’m saying hell no.”
“We’ll see,” Benecio said. “Rick, get your daughter and let’s go.”
“You promised you’d help us,” Rick said. “You wanted a strong male for her to take over the pride.”
“The only way the situation would have resolved in your favor is if Diesel was willing to walk away from his heart-match. He didn’t, so there’s nothing I can do about it. Duke has made himself clear, and you and Valerie are no longer allowed in this territory or to contact anyone in the pride for any reason, or you’ll deal with me personally.” He looked at Demi. “I’ll be seeing you.”
“Fuck off,” Demi said.
The trio left, escorted by Duke and his high-ranked males.
Diesel waited until they were out the door before he turned to Em and cupped her face. “You okay, sweetheart?”
She wrapped her hands around his wrists and took in a shaky breath. “Yeah. That was... scary.”
“I’m so sorry you were frightened. I had no idea it would go sideways like that. Those people are certifiable.”
Duke joined them, shaking his head in disbelief. “I’ve got males following them out of the territory. You guys all okay?”
“They’re fine,” Demi said, throwing up her hands. “I’ve got a freaking stalker now.”
