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Deven was the one to ask the obvious question, “Why didn’t one of you take her out then?”
“We were not strong enough.” With a slight look of shame, Garcia pulled his long black hair to the side revealing a nasty silver collar tight around his neck.
Sheila shouted, “The weak little mongrel lies!”
Zeven fought back the growl at the insult even though this time it wasn’t directed at him. If the collar was the way she controlled them then maybe it was time to turn them loose. “Tell me Garcia, what would you do if that pretty collar was removed?”
His back straightened. This time, Garcia’s words were stronger, more certain. “Given a chance, I would kill the bitch and lead my people as they deserve, with honor, strength and courage.”
“Well, that works for me.” Deven’s words were punctuated by a wave of his gun. “Now might be a good time to mention that I was sent here to deal with the problems within the Coyote Clan.”
What the hell did that mean? “I thought you were here to deal with me?”
“That too.” Deven’s chuckle was rather dry and humorless. “You’re basically a side job for me, but I am glad to see it worked out. Would you care to step up and help me sort these idiots out? We could consider it a job interview if you’re willing.”
His brother was a real piece of work… Threatening his life and his mate was little more than a side job. He just shook his head at the absurdity. “Sure, I’ll help. But at some point, I might want to slug you just once.” He turned his attention back to meet Sheila’s supremely pissed off gaze. “How about this? If you can defeat Garcia in fair battle, then you get to stay Alpha. If you win, I’ll even give you a shot at me if you still want my territory.”
“Ridiculous.” Sheila sputtered, “You’re already half dead.”
“Sounds like a good deal for you then.” But it wasn’t just his territory anymore. He had others to think about now. “Their whole stupid plan was to bait me into a trap so they could steal our territory. I might be willing to give it up if she’s strong enough to take it from me by herself. How do you feel about that option, Deven? Harley?”
Deven glared hard at him. “The territory be damned. That is yours to do as you like. Just don’t make your mate watch you die for something stupid.”
“Do you understand why I have to do this, Harley? There needs to be an honest challenge for leadership. It has to be Sheila against Garcia. I need to make sure she faces him now while we’re all here to supervise the fight. If not, she’ll just use more tricks to continue her abuse.”
Her arm tightened around his body, pushing the Beretta at her waist into his side.“I don’t like it, but these people need help. Just don’t expect me to stand by and follow any idiotic rules that end up with you losing your life.”
With just a few thoughts she filled him up with strength in ways that he’d never before experienced.“Fair enough. If I start losing, shoot her for me. With a little luck, Garcia will take her out and I won’t even need to act tough.”
“Where are the keys?” Deven directed one of the younger wolves, “Get the key from your bitch alpha. And unlock Garcia.”
“You can’t do this!” Sheila snarled at the youth and slapped away his hand.
Cool as the arctic, Deven fired three shots into the wall beside the bitch, close enough that everyone near her moved further away. “In case you didn’t notice, I’m not the patient type. Hand it over or I kill you now.”
Even when she stopped growling, her glare alone was enough to keep the younger wolf from reaching for her. Garcia wasn’t as submissive though. He strode across the room and ripped the key and chain from her neck with a single jerk. When the teen removed the silver shock collar from Garcia’s neck, the whole room backed away leaving space in the center of the courtyard for them to battle.
Deven’s take charge attitude had the Coyote Clan quickly in order. The patio furniture had been shoved aside earlier from the fight with Zeven. Most of the spotlights were still shining brightly, offering a well-lit stage.
Harley stayed glued to Zeven’s side.“Your brother seems to have everything in hand. He is full of surprises and cares for you more than he shows. If needed I think he would be just as happy to shoot the bitch for you.”
“I was wondering about that. How did you convince him to come to the rescue?”Zeven shifted his weight, standing completely on his own for the first time since they’d arrived.
She turned into his arms.“He took the lead there too. I thought he only used me to find you. But if was already investigating the Coyote Clan he must have known where they were all along.”
He watched as Deven moved among the others and directed them to stay back and let the two fight a fair battle. What exactly was his brother thinking? Had any of Deven’s threats been real or was it all just an act to test his resolve? He’d already decided to give up his life as a hired gun. It was silly for him to pretend otherwise. But could he really accept a position with Deven’s group?
“He seems to have decided that if you’re bad enough, you must be family. I mean clan.”
Before they could continue the discussion, the challenge began.
Sheila shifted to wolf form and so did Garcia. Although the she-wolf was smaller, she was in much better condition than the male. The obvious strain of the long-term abuse might be enough to win her the leadership. They circled each other warily.
Then Garcia rushed the bitch, and they came together with flashing fangs. The battle was fast and violent. Both wolves snapped and raged. Garcia got in a good bite to Sheila’s shoulder, but the bitch spun away and sank her fangs into his flank. On and on it went, with both giving and receiving hits.
They were evenly matched and viciously motivated. What in other circumstances might have been a fight to submission in this case would certainly be a fight to the death.
“Kill her, Jose!” The clan rallied around the fight. Most of them yelling encouragements to Garcia, but a few younger men silently watched from beside their human leader, Jack Donnelly.
