Derek, the middle of the three, jumped forward, barely a foot separating him and Shade, his eyes glinting with temper as he poked Shade’s chest. “You led her on. Told her you’d make her your mate and Alpha and then forced yourself on her. That’s what you did, Shade Shawcross, and we won’t stand for that. No fucking way.”
Derek prodded Shade’s chest again. Shade moved so quickly none of them saw it, grabbing Derek’s finger and bending it back until he heard it snap. Rapidly followed by his yell of pain and indignation. “First, I did not tell her any such thing, and second I have never forced myself on any woman. I understand that if your sister told you that then you’re obviously feeling outraged, but I’m telling you different. So, here’s the situation, boys, you either turn around and leave or I whoop all your asses right here and now.”
Derek’s eyes closed to slits, glaring at him as Dale stepped forward, pushing his brother out of the way. “You expect us to believe our baby sister lied to us? No way would she do that.”
Dennis didn’t look so convinced, his eyes glancing to his brothers’ then Ash and Royce. “What about them?”
“They’re not involved in this,” Shade replied, shrugging. “This is between you three and me, simple. But, I’ll say again, the information you have is wrong and you have one last chance to turn around and walk away.”
The three brothers stepped away, looking at each other, and it was obvious they were weighing up their odds. The adrenaline of being amped up with outrage at the perceived slight against their sister possibly dimming. That’s what Shade thought right up to the minute they spun around and flew toward him mid-shift, all at once,
Shit.
Shade dropped and rolled to the right, barely managing to miss the tangle of fangs and claws as the trio landed in a heap on his steps. Damn! The trio looked alike even in their Wolf forms. Shade had already instigated his own transformation, quickly changing into his formidable Alpha beast. His wolf was striking, the darkest shade of brown with a silver streak across his chest, his animal growled at his opponents before deciding on his course of attack.
As the brothers were still entangled he leaped forward, grabbing a free hind leg and tugging it free furiously. His teeth biting deep, using every ounce of strength in his powerful jaws until he heard the satisfying sound of bones crunching as the Wolf howled in pain. Shade shook his opponent furiously to ensure the wound would not heal quickly. He’s the stupid fuck for coming onto his land to challenge him. He’d be mending that crushed leg for some time and he was definitely out of the fight.
Down to two.
While he’d incapacitated one, the other two had regrouped, prowling before him with snarls and growls that filled the silence and bringing out a crowd to watch. Shade ignored everything except the threat, determined to get this over and done with quickly so he and his Betas could get back to more important business. Like keeping him sane.
His beast took that moment to lift its head to the sky and howl as it snarled in his mind. “Mate, now. Needs us.”
Trixie’s brothers slunk forward, one bolder than the other, his paw reaching out to rake across Shade’s side. He jerked sideways, missing the fearsome claws, while jerk number two tried the same from the other side. These in-breds obviously fought together often enough to have a drill: one distracts, the other attacks.
Not happening. Shade spun around, his hind legs kicking out to land a massive blow to one head, stunning the beast, while his jaws and claws went to work on the other. He knew he’d have to work fast, before the stunned Wolf rose to attack his rear. If not he’d be in trouble so he used every ounce of his impressive strength, jaws ripping an ear clean off, his claws finding purchase in the soft underbelly and ripping ferociously. The beast collapsed, a high-pitched sound unlike any howl Shade had ever heard tearing from its throat as it lay thrashing on the ground.
His Wolf turned back to the only opponent left, his face dripping with blood, lips drawn back and fangs on show as he snarled a last warning. His meaning clear: back off now or suffer the consequences.
The remaining brother’s beast looked at his two fallen siblings, whining, before transforming and rushing to the one Shade had just finished with. The gaping wound in its belly seeping blood onto the ground to disappear into the hard-packed earth. “He’ll die! You need to help him. Please. He’s gonna die. That’s a mortal wound.”
Shade’s Wolf shook its fur, a roar of triumph filling the air before he morphed, shaking his head at the man kneeling next to his dying brother. “I gave you the option to leave. And what did you do? The three of you attacked me without warning. You deserved to die. All of you. But I’m not the bastard you seem to think of me so I’ll allow our Healer to try and help him. But I’m warning you now. Do not ever come onto my land again and tell that bitch you call a sister to stay clear of me, my land, and any of our establishments. None of your family is welcome.”
Royce jumped down, picking up Shade’s tattered clothing, and ruined boots as Ash led Lana over to the fallen Wolf.
“Hell, those were my favorite boots.” Shade shook his head, turning back to Ash. “Ash, get your guards to keep an eye on this lot. Lana, do what you can but be careful, these fuckers are not trustworthy so make sure you have guards with you at all times.”
“Certainly, Alpha,” Lana replied, not looking up
