Page 58 of Cruel Mate

“You mean these men?” Kane’s voice sounded to Layla’s left, and a second later a body appeared—not Kane’s, but the lifeless body of one of Christian’s men, flung like a ragdoll into the clearing.

One after another, more were thrown forward. Some were dead, some dying, some looked as if they might live if they healed fast enough, but all were most definitely down for the count. How they had managed to kill and subdue them without even a sound, Layla didn’t know, but Jack, Zander, Kane, Eddie, Will and Hanson all stepped into the clearing, looking as strong and confident as the day Layla had first seen them take over Nightstar.

It was a true sight to behold.

“Not one step closer,” Christian warned, glowering at the men with only his good eye, “or I’ll rip her throat out. If I can’t have her, nobody can!”

“No, don’t hurt her!”

Layla was astonished when she saw Darwin dart from the trees. He was covered in blood, and yet one sniff told Layla that most of it wasn’t his own.

He was only stopped by Zander, who barred his way with an arm. He didn’t so much as look at Darwin as he growled, “I’ll handle this.”

Instead, he glared at Christian, and Layla felt horror course through her body. She knew all too well what he was thinking.

His friends had stopped the fight last time, but by the looks on their faces, they wouldn’t get involved this time.

“Why don’t you come down here, Christian, and we’ll settle this like real men? I won’t sneak up on you like we did your friends. I’ll at least give you a chance to win this fair and square.”

Zander’s confidence was clear, but Layla couldn’t help but think of the last time they’d gone head-to-head. Christian had overpowered him easily. She had felt the alpha’s strength for herself. Only a couple of lucky shots had given her any chance at all.

“Zander, no!” she exclaimed, but that only seemed to entice Christian. He shoved her forward out of the door, still gripping her by the hair.

“Do you think I’m a fool?” he demanded. “One against seven is no fair fight!”

Chapter 23 - Zander

He knew Christian was right, but Zander also knew he had to get him away from Layla. Otherwise, it didn’t matter how many men he had at his back. Christian could rip her throat out before a single one of them could get to her.

The anger that boiled within him was almost impossible to ignore, but he had to. It was the last thing he could afford right now. If he went off like he had at the manor when Christian had called Layla beautiful then she was as good as dead.

He had to play this cool, no matter how much he wanted to tear Christian apart.

“Half of your men are dead, and the other half are in no fit state to help you, Christian,” Zander pointed out. He took a half-step forward with his hands raised, struggling to keep his claws from protruding. He had to make the man believe he was no threat. “You’re wounded, I can see that, so I suppose we can make this fair. You’re stronger than I am, we both know that.”

Bile rose in his throat as he said the words. Yes, Christian was stronger, but he wasn’t nearly as skilled or agile or clever. That was certain. If he were, he wouldn’t be anywhere near Layla right now. In fact, he would be long gone from Nightstar.

“Let’s do this. Just me and you, head-to-head. Nobody else needs to get involved. Nobody else needs to get hurt,” Zander continued when Christian said nothing. He looked the man in the eye as he spoke, but when he had finished, he looked into Layla’s eyes, hoping that she might be able to say something to convince him. After all, she knew the man better than he did.

And true to how smart she was, Layla cried, “No! Zander, don’t. He’ll kill you!”

Zander saw the way that Christian’s lips twitched. He was clearly fighting a smile.

“Shut the fuck up!” Christian snarled at Layla, yanking her hard by the hair in a way that made Zander cringe.

“Don’t hurt her,” Zander growled through gritted teeth. “Hurt her and the deal’s off.”

Quick as a flash, Christian released Layla’s hair and wrapped one powerful arm around her throat. Then he turned his eye on Zander again and demanded, “How do I know your friends will stick to your word?”

Zander stiffened. He hadn’t even thought about that. His friends were loyal to a fault. How could he make them stand down even if it looked as if things were going to go sideways?

Before he could answer, Jack stepped forward and laid a hand on his shoulder.

“I’ve got this,” he whispered before he turned to Christian and said, “You have my word as a follow alpha that my men will not attack you if you win.” Zander felt his best friend’s hand trembling on his shoulder as he added, “If you kill Zander, you can have her.”

This time it was Zander’s turn to cringe. The thought that if anything happened to him Layla was forfeit made his stomach twist painfully.

Christian looked between the two of them for several moments as if he were struggling to decide whether or not they were telling the truth.

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