Page 43 of In The Shadow of The Wolf

“Henry has a concussion, broken ribs, stitches, and more cuts and bruises than anyone should have, but he will survive and be okay.” Lance paused. “I asked him why he didn’t call out to you for help. You were close enough that if he’d yelled, you would have heard him even inside the restaurant.” Terry had wondered the same thing. All he had to do was yell for him, and he would have been there.

“He told me you were with your friends, and he was afraid that they would hear if he yelled to you. He didn’t believe, that under the circumstances, that you would help him.” Lance pinned him with a serious gaze that Terry flinched under its scrutiny. “Do you understand what he was saying?” Terry nodded that he did.

“He believed that I would stand there and watch my friends beat him to death rather than risk my reputation.” Terry was stunned and shocked beyond all understanding. He started to tremble with the self-hatred that was consuming him. His inability to man up and claim his mate almost cost Henry his life.

He’d presented himself to his mate as someone who would not help in a crisis, as someone who would willingly standby as he perished. His mate didn’t trust him, didn’t depend on him, didn’t believe him, and didn’t believe that he loved and cherished him above all things in this world. “Who did this? It is my right as Henry’s mate to take my revenge.”

“Kelvin Minter,” Lance stated clearly and watched as Terry stood and left the hospital.

Terry was in a blind rage, yet he was singularly focused on one man. Kelvin had tried to take from him the only thing that mattered in his life right now. He destroyed his happiness and any future he hoped to have with his mate, and for that, he was going to take from Kelvin the only thing that mattered to him, which was his life.

He pulled into the drive and floored it, spinning out in the middle of Kelvin’s front yard and tearing up the lawn. He wanted to get his attention. It wasn’t long before Kelvin came storming out the front door, and Terry leaped from his vehicle, boiling with a rage that was about to be unleashed.

Kelvin stopped immediately, and his demeanor changed, fear taking him over and pleading pouring from his lips. He was speaking and attempting to explain or, worse, justify his actions against Henry. No words could penetrate the red haze that had taken over Terry, and Kelvin’s terror was palatable.

Terry noticed the police cruiser pulling up and Jamie stepping out. He wasn’t there to stop him; he was there to pay witness. What Kelvin did to Henry, a Fated mate of a fellow pack member, was punishable by death. This was pack business pure and simple.

Suddenly the hatred and anger took him at the sight of this bastard who thought he could brutalize Terry’s most precious possession and just walk away. With a roar, Terry charged him, shifting in midair as he met Kelvin half shifted and took him to the ground. Kelvin finished his shift and tried to disengage, kicking out and latching onto Terry’s front leg.

Terry twisted him loose, and then the fight was on fur, fangs, dirt flying, and blood spraying as Terry took huge chunks out of Kelvin's hide. It was ferocious, and Kelvin was losing ground fast. There was no way he could win, no way he could defend himself against someone who thought they had nothing left to lose.

Jamie moved closer, keeping watch but not interfering. Terry also saw Kelvin’s wife standing on their porch, looking like she couldn’t care less that her husband was about to die. Terry intercepted Kelvin as he attempted to slice out with his claws at the underside of Terry’s throat, but it was a clumsy effort.

Terry maneuvered and hit Kelvin in the midsection knocking him onto his back on the ground, and Terry was on top with his teeth gripping Kelvin’s throat. All it would take was a twist to the right or left, and he could tear out his throat and end him there in his front yard. He held him like that, with Kelvin staying deathly still waiting for Terry’s decision.

Jamie came forward and stood beside him, waiting for the final outcome. Terry knew he was within his rights to kill him, but the second he was going to finish him, a vision of Henry came to his mind, a vision of a gentle, kind man a man who would not abide death as a recompense. Terry released him and shifted back as he stood up.

Kelvin remained in his wolf form, lying there looking like the piece of shit that he was. “Gather yourself, your belongings, and your wife and get out of town and get out of this state. If I ever come face to face with you again, I will kill you, and that is a promise.” He then turned to Jamie. “Make sure he leaves.” He said, and Jamie nodded his assurance.

…

Henry woke with a start, frantically trying to understand where he was and what had happened to him. Then he remembered being here in the hospital, and he had spoken to Lance. He’d told Lance who had hurt him. He glanced around the room and saw Ronan asleep in a chair next to his bed. The one person so obviously missing from the room was Terry, and the knowledge brought a numbing wave of sadness to his mind and body.

“Henry, how do you feel?” He saw that Ronan had moved from the chair and was now standing over him with a concerned but relieved look on his face. “You’ve been in the hospital about twelve hours.” Ronan began to catch him up on the events. “Terry’s here if that’s what you’re wondering? He’s in the hall talking to Lance, but he will be back in shortly.” He smiled softly. “He’s been with you most of the night. Well, except for when he left to . . .” Ronan trailed off.

“To what?”

Ronan didn’t answer immediately and avoided eye contact.

“What’s the matter?” Henry tried to set up, but Ronan held his shoulder and prevented him from moving.

“Lance told him who did this to you. Its Pack rules around here, and he had a right to take retribution.” Ronan glanced at the door and then back at Henry.

“What did he do? Kelvin is his friend.” Henry figured he probably told him to stop hitting people and then gave him a fine for getting Henry’s blood all over the alley. He couldn’t do much without his orientation getting out to the public. “Wait, I know Pack rules and retribution is only for the person injured or their significant other,” Henry said.

“Terry claimed you in front of everyone. There are no secrets anymore, Henry. He absolutely fell apart when you were hurt. I know I haven’t been a fan of Terry and definitely not a believer in his ability to overcome his prejudices. I was wrong. He claimed you, Henry, he claimed you from the rooftops, and everyone in town knows that he is your mate.” Ronan leaned over and adjusted Henry’s pillow so he could sit up a bit.

“He came out to . . . everyone?” Henry asked, stunned by the information.

“Everyone.”

“Wow. I didn’t think he could do it. I love him. I tried very hard not to because I never thought he could change. I never thought he would choose me.” His voice was almost a whisper as he struggled to take it all in. “What happened to Kelvin?”

“Terry nearly killed him. He found him at home and called him out. Jamie was present but didn’t interfere. Kelvin and his wife have been banished from the Pack.” Ronan smiled as Terry walked into the room and riveted Henry with the most possessive and loving stare. “I’ll leave you two to catch up.” He quickly slipped from the room and closed the door.

“I love you, Henry, and don’t ever doubt that I would move heaven and earth to be with you and destroy anyone who gets in our way.” Henry held out his arms to Terry, who excitedly rushed forward into the embrace.

“I love you too, Terry. I was just afraid.” Terry kissed him lightly and ran his hands over his face and shoulders. “I was afraid you could never really be with me. I lived like that once, and I never wanted to live like that again. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

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