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“Remember the time we helped Joan when her kitchen caught fire?” I ask the other pack members. If I’m going to beat him, I’ll use what I’ve always known to be true to turn his team against him. Evil never wins. I relax and get comfortable in my seat. “How we rebuilt it in a week because we worked sixteen-hour days? How drinks were on the house as we laughed off the exhaustion at Wet Spot each night?”
I watch as a few people nod slowly. The hesitation and regret of supporting Devon already creeping in.
“I might not have the power right now, or the security or freedom or whatever the fuck Devon has promised you. But there’s one oath I took that I will always deliver, and that’s to never leave a pack member alone. As long as I’m your Alpha, you’ve got a family in me. If you still want to join Devon in his rule-them-all plan, go ahead. But I’ve always guided you to look after each other, to be better shifters, and better people because that’s what we stand for.”
Devon laughs. “It isn't enough, Jace. That touchy-feely shit doesn't help you survive.”
“Doesn’t it, Devon?” I sneer in return. “Because what happens when you want something of theirs?” I turn to the others. “Do you really think he’ll be what I was to you? Show you the same respect? And what about when Devon wants more land, more power? Who will he turn on?”
I feel Carli’s hand on my shoulder. “Look at what he’s doing right now,” she says, her voice soft but strong, full of conviction.
“They won’t listen to you,” Devon growls, growing angrier each second because we both know that’s exactly what they’re doing.
It’s pretty obvious. Once they truly realize how disgusting Devon is, they’ll side with me.
“I’m a more powerful shifter than you! I can fucking rule this country if I wanted to.” Devon jumps to his feet, looking furiously at the others. “Which one of you fucking assholes doesn’t want that?”
They shuffle, uncomfortably looking at each other. Until someone speaks up. “I don’t know Devon, once you spoke about killing that pregnant shifter over there... This ain’t feeling right. And I certainly don’t want to kill someone who’s pregnant.”
“Fucking pussy,” Devon screams, punching the couch. The dull thump sounds as ineffective as he’s looking.
I smirk, watching the shifters shuffle onto my side, behind Carli. A few stay back, but I’ve got the majority. And Devon knows that if I try, I could get the others too. If I try, I could defeat him in a blink of an eye.
“So sweet that you can’t kill a pregnant shifter.” Beth giggles. “I mean, I wish I had more heart than you guys do…but I don’t. And if none of you are planning to kill Carli—“ she pushes herself off the wall she’s leaning against and takes a step “—then I will.”
In a flash, Beth lunges towards the mother of my child.
And just like that, the war begins.
Chapter15
Carli
Idon’t get a chance to blink before I feel Beth's body slams into mine, pushing me hard to the ground. Instinctively, my hand covers my stomach as I try my best to cushion my fall. Screeching like a banshee, she claws at my face, her weight pinning me down. I struggle, trying to trap her hands as I realize she’s going for my throat.
There’s chaos all around. Noises of furniture breaking, wolves growling and screams. I think it’s my scream that can be heard the most, yet Beth doesn't budge.
Suddenly, her weight is lifted off me. Jace roars as he hauls Beth away, throwing her onto the couch that Devon sat on. I scramble to the side, trying to catch my breath. I meet Jace’s eyes and I know he’s wordlessly telling me to shift. That this is finally happening.
So I do. I grow, my bones cracking and transforming into something stronger, my body layering with thick fur. My muscles multiply, my wolf now protecting my child. I bare my fangs and crouch, ready to tackle Beth if she comes for me again.
To my right, Devon and the other wolves attack Jace at once. They’ve chosen their target. And they know they need every one of them to defeat him. They move as one, shift as a pack, and so does Jace. The Silver Moon defectors do the same, and although their loyalty was easily swayed, I’m glad Jace has them on his side.
That Jace’s core of goodness showed them what’s worth fighting for.
My pretty living room turns into a storm of claws and teeth and snarls. My heart launches high into my throat as I lose sight of Jace. But I don’t have time for the fear or the fury to take hold. A movement from the corner of my eye has me spinning, then freezing.
Beth is a wolf, too, her yellow eyes flinty as her gaze locks on me. Her prey.
I realize two things as the fight moves further away. It was a distraction. A way to tear Jace from my side.
And that Beth spoke the truth, she’s here for my blood.
Crouching low, I return the challenge in her eyes. I stand by what I said.
Bring it on, bitch.
I leap first, clearing the chair Jace sat on and crashing into Beth. Her body is harder, more wired with fury than I expected, and I grunt as we collide. She twists, her jaws snapping at my throat, but I bite at her front paws.
