Page 60 of Unforgivable Fate

A few minutes later, when Tyrell stepped into sight and she saw that he’d brought both of his Enforcers despite the agreement to meet alone, she had to swallow a growl. Her wolf was itching to break free and close the distance between them. Nova might have reservations about ripping the bastard’s throat out but her wolf did not share the same reluctance.

The fact that the full moon would be rising in mere hours meant every wolf in this clearing was on edge. If it was up to her, she’d have waited to deal with Tyrell until after, once they were all a little calmer, but neither she nor Griffin had trusted that he wouldn’t try something tonight. It was better this way too because she was counting on the fact that Tyrell’s own Enforcers, who she’d known he would bring, would be on edge too.

Griffin stood his ground, back straight and chin high as he faced his evil half-brother, “I thought I asked you to come alone.”

“And I’d have thought you knew me well enough to know that wasn’t going to happen.” Tyrell smirked back at him.

“It’s fine.” Griffin sighed, as if he was resigned to the duplicity, but held his arms out to his sides. “I didn’t come alone either.”

At his signal, Griffin’s true family stepped from the trees.

Tyrell’s eyes flared gold and he snarled with anger as he looked around, realizing he was outnumbered despite his treachery. He spun in a full circle, growling when he saw the Moirae wolves at his back. When he turned to face Griffin again his face was twisted with pure hatred the likes of which sent a shiver down Nova’s spine.

He looked so much like Maddox in that moment she almost took a step backwards. Almost. She caught herself, reminding herself that this wasn’t Maddox and she wasn’t a little girl. She wasn’t alone either. She reached for Griffin through their mate bond and felt his reassuring energy press back against her, wanting her to stay safely out of reach of Tyrell and his Enforcers.

“You’ve really convinced them you’re worth starting a war?” Tyrell spit at him. “You must be fucking that bitch mate of yours real good to get her to run to big brother and get the whole pack involved.”

Nova growled and Tyrell sneered in her direction. She knew he was simply trying to provoke her. Her wolf pressed just beneath her skin, wanting to tear him apart, but Nova held her control and stayed where she was because Griffin’s energy was still strangely calm despite the danger.

“First off.” Griffin spoke softly, his words clipped but clear. “There isn’t going to be a war. And second, if you say another word about my mate, I’m going to rip your throat out. Do you hear me?”

Tyrell narrowed his eyes and Nova calmed considerably. He was surprised, she realized. He hadn’t expected Griffin to stand up to him and he wasn’t quite sure how to regain the upper hand. He was off balance not being feared and she urged Griffin to continue before the other Clary decided to attack.

“You seem pretty sure you’re not starting a war right here and right now.” Tyrell taunted.

“I’m not.”

“You sure about that?”

“One hundred percent.” Griffin confirmed. “Because if you try to make this a war, you’re going to lose.”

“I…” Tyrell started but Griffin spoke over him.

“You’re outnumbered and you’re far from being strong enough to take all of us. You might be an Alpha but do you really think you can survive a fight with two Pack Alpha’s and four trained Enforcers? You come at me, we’ll take you down, and I can guarantee you it’ll be me who delivers the killing blow so I can ensure nobody has a reason to argue when I proclaim myself as Clareden Pack Alpha once you’re dead.”

Tyrell snarled, “They’d never accept you.”

Griffin only shrugged, “Maybe not, but you’ll be dead and I’ll be the last Clary alive.”

“Not if I have anything to do with it.” Tyrell took a step forward but Griffin held up a hand and made a tsking noise.

“Now, now. Don’t let your temper get the better of you.” He taunted with his perfectly calm demeanor, “My mate is here. My family is here. I don’t really want to be the Clareden Pack Alpha but I’ll take it from you if you make me. After all, I could always appoint someone else to run the pack in my stead. I could pass the leadership over to a trusted ally, someone who has served the pack well in the past and is ready for a chance to prove themselves capable.”

As he spoke, Griffin’s gaze shifted from Tyrell to the Enforcers at his side and Nova watched as they exchanged a glance. It was working. Her plan was working. She could see it in their shifting stance. They were questioning if it was possible to take Tyrell down themselves and earn that Pack Alpha title. They were gauging their odds of teaming up to take him on and then if they could beat one another down enough to give up.

“Or, maybe you walk away from here and never come back. I can let you do that. I’ll promise not to touch a hair on your head so long as you leave this territory and never bother me and mine again. Never even think of me again. Whatever happens to you and the Clareden Pack after I walk away… that’s your business. Not mine.”

Nova could practically see the bloodlust on the faces of Tyrell’s Enforcers as they came to a decision and he must have felt their betrayal too because he turned away from Griffin to glare at them. Nova’s wolf growled in approval. She wanted some bloodshed even if Nova’s whole plan had been to avoid it.

“Don’t even think about it.” Tyrell sneered at his Enforcers as they began to circle him, moving around him as he spun to try to keep them in his sights.

Tyrell was a Pack Alpha. He was more powerful than either of them but they had it two against one which might be enough. She had to hope that Tyrell had brought his best Enforcers with him to track down Griffin. He had come all this way with only two of his men so she figured it was safe to assume they were both as deadly, violent and bloodthirsty as he was. They’d just needed a push in the right direction and Griffin’s words had given them that. They would take care of Tyrell for them and that would be the end of the Clary threats against the Crescent Pack.

Griffin stepped back out of the fray and shook his head, “Goodbye, brother. I didn’t want it to come to this but…”

“Don’t you dare walk away from me!” Tyrell screamed, eyes gold with fury and his teeth elongating. “This isn’t over!”

“Yes. It is.” Griffin moved to Nova’s side and took her hand, lacing their fingers together and she smiled at him with all the love she felt in her heart. “I’m not a Clary anymore and I don’t want the name or any claim to the old pack. I’m a DeLuca now and a Crescent wolf. If I sense any member of the Clareden Pack on our land when the moon rises, it will be seen as a declaration of war and if any of you ever come back here, we’ll kill you too.”

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