“I…” I mutter, trailing off.
“Pruitt isn’t going anywhere.” Ryker snatches the phone out of my hand as he yells at the man on the other side. “If you hurt my sister, I swear to God, I will make you wish you were dead.”
“Ah, Ryker. I was hoping you were going to be around when I called.” Nicolai’s cheerful tone picks up a notch when he talks to Ryker. “I thought I had made it abundantly clear my only interest is in Grey Thorne. I am more than happy to trade Remington for her.”
“And we thought we had made it pretty clear you aren’t getting her,” Ryker growls back.
“So, you’re willing to let your sister die instead of handing Grey over?” Nicolai questions.
Margot chokes back a sob, and Elias takes a step forward. I watch as the helpless looks on both their faces intensifies. I can’t imagine how hard it is for them right now.
Ryker pauses for a second before he speaks. “No one is going to die, but you,” he snarls into the phone. “Nicolai Volkov, I formally challenge you to a fight to the death.”
It’s me who’s gasping in shock this time.
29
Ryker
Nicolai was quick to accept my challenge. He even seemed excited over the prospect of it. We agreed on meeting at a large open field in the middle of the forest, north of the property at sunrise tomorrow. He’s to bring Remington, and we were told to bring Pruitt. Which I told him wasn’t happening. He shrugged it off since he believes he will win and be able to come and collect her for himself.
We’ve been setting up a plan for the duel tomorrow for the past two hours. We’re leaving two enforcers and Sawyer at the house with Pruitt. They have instructions to get her out of Montana as quickly as they can if I’m not able to beat Nicolai. Based on how fast he can move, and how hard he could hit the other day, he will not be easily defeated.
My mother has been sobbing in the corner, and Pruitt has been fuming in the other room since I disconnected the call. She won’t even look at me when I go in and check on her. She’s furious I would make this decision without consulting her. But she was right when she said we couldn’t hide away and protect every pack member forever and just hope Nicolai gives up.
And now he has my sister.
“Who’s staying here with Pru again?” Ransom asks. We sit around the dining room table, going over the plans. Ransom sits across from me next to Ranger, and Dad sits at the head of the table. Enforcers are in the other available seats.
Kody speaks up first. “I would like to offer to stay with her if that’s okay?”
“I’ll stay as well,” Gage offers. He’s about thirty with dark hair and a bushy beard. He’s our head enforcer and one of the stronger pack members. I’m thankful that he’s offered to protect my mate.
“Thank you both.” I nod at them. “You’ll stay here along with Sawyer, and if this doesn’t go our way, you know the plan.”
“Yes.” Kody nods. “We grab Pru then the aunt, and we head to the safe house in Colorado.”
“What about Noah?” Ransom interjects.
“I’ve kept him in the loop,” Dad tells him. “He’s aware of the plan, and as long as both Pruitt and Addison are safe, he doesn’t care that they leave Montana.”
“You three realize you aren’t going to be able to come home for a while, right?” Ranger questions them.
“We understand and are willing to make that sacrifice if it means we keep them safe,” Gage says. He’s always been loyal to the pack, but we’re going to have to test that loyalty now.
“You’re all good men,” Dad tells them both.
Knowing there’s someone I need to go talk to, I stand. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a very pissed off mate I need to go talk to. I’ll be back in a couple minutes, and we can go over the plan again.”
“Best of luck, dude,” Kody says. "I saw her fight Remington, and all I can say is, I would not want to be on that she wolf’s shit list.” He whistles.
I chuckle and shrug off his comment, but I know he’s right.
I’m in deep shit.
I knew she was mad, but I hadn’t imagined she was angry enough to throw an old football trophy at my head when I enter my bedroom. I barely duck out of the way in time before it goes crashing into the wall next to me. I watch as drywall pieces fall to the floor and land around the broken trophy.
“Really?” I shout, shutting the door behind me. “I won that trophy in elementary school.”
“I don’t care,” she snaps, crossing her arms over her breasts. “How could you do this?”
“It’s the only way I can think of to protect both you and Remington.” I sigh. “What other choice did I have? There were no good options available, Pru. It was either sacrifice you to save Remington or sacrifice Remington to save you, and I couldn’t live with myself if I had to choose.” I lock the door and turn back to her. “So, I’m not going to choose.”
“You did make a choice, though.” She glares. “You chose to sacrifice yourself instead.”
“Hell, yes, I did!” I yell at her. Her arms drop to her sides, and she takes a step back. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you or Remington.”
“But if you die tomorrow, you’re going to leave me behind.” Her voice breaks. “And then what?”
“There is a possibility I could win the challenge,” I point out as I walk toward her. My wolf is nudging me from my head, urging me to
