Page 55 of Mated into the Mob

Hunter and Ranger bounded up and shifted. “What’s going on? You disappeared, Bro.”

I filled them in, but the seconds were ticking by. As Alpha, I dreaded having to make a choice. “Dad, you and Hunter go to Tony. Ranger and I will be with the pack.”

Foley would not be stupid enough to rely on only him and his friends, so there would be others waiting for us.

Dad and Hunter shifted and were gone, taking my heart with them. Ranger and I huddled, discussing strategy. He would catch up to the pack, warning each group, while I went a roundabout way. There was a section in the deepest part of the forest, where vines dangled from the tall trees and the smallest amount of light penetrated through the canopy.

“I hope Emilio has scented Foley and his traitorous friends.” I needed him and his wolf, both scarred from former battles.

My wolf was in fight mode as he took his fur. Like his wild cousins he knew how to move stealthily when hunting. Only this time, the prey were shifters. I didn’t want to be the third Durand killed after a war with another pack.

Tony and our unborn child were my world, but if I went to the goddess, my family would look after them. But I dreaded what would happen if Ranger or Hunter had to fight a challenger for the role of Alpha.

My beast slowed as we neared the place where Foley and his buddies probably waited, hoping to catch us unawares. Other shifters often underestimated Dad, thinking he was too scattered to pay attention to their antics. That was their first mistake. Let’s hope it wasn’t their last.

My beast crouched low behind a log. The universe was on our side ‘cause the breeze was blowing toward us. I scented Ranger and the others close by pounding through the forest. Before they reached this place, they’d spread out and surround it.

My beast also scented Foley and companions, but he was too hot-headed to plan a rebellion. He was all bluster. We’d be fighting shifters more shrewd than him, and my beast sniffed the air for the scent of Nightfall shifters. There were scents but from La Luna Noir beasts. My heart rate kicked up a notch, fearingthere were more traitors from our own kin than just Foley and co.

I counted the seconds until Ranger led the pack into the shadowy darkness. Foley and four others leaped out, creating a diversion.

But foolish Foley and companions were fodder, a distraction, and they went down, one by bloody one, their throats slashed, their beasts crying out as they sacrificed themselves and took their last breath.

More wolves joined the fight. I’d been prepared for the Nightfall shifters who’d been in skirmishes with other packs over the years. What I wasn’t expecting was La Luna Noir pack members, battle-hardened from those early years of fighting the Silverback pack with me. With me, not against!

The forest floor was covered in blood, the metallic smell mixed with moss and soil while Ranger and the others battled. My wolf was tempted to join in, but I urged him to be patient. There was one waiting for me, not caring he’d sent other La Luna Noir men to their death. The one person other than family who’d been with Grandpa, Papa, and me. One whose fighting skills had been honed from many shifter wars.

Now.

My wolf leaped. Flying through the air over at least fifteen feet, saliva dripping over his canines. A threatening growl silenced the forest and he attacked Emilio’s beast. His teeth penetrated the flesh covering his throat. Blood gushed over my beast.

He was wounded but not fatally.

Both wolves charged at one another, and the other beast’s teeth penetrated my wolf’s flesh. Blood flowed, mingling with his as our beasts’ snapping and snarling was the only sound in the forest. They lunged again, each clawing at the other.

A gunshot rang, and Emilio’s wolf twisted around toward the sound, allowing my beast to attack him again, tearing at a huge chunk of flesh.

The shot was followed by a howl. Uncle. A warning. The scent of fear mixed with blood, and my wolf almost paused the fight and raced to our mate. But we had to finish this.

My beast was drained of energy as he hurled himself at his opponent, tearing at his throat and leaving a gaping hole. Emilio’s wolf fell back as my beast lay on the ground, enough energy for one last attack.

Emilio shifted, blood streaming from his wounds and out of his mouth. He mumbled, “You… never… knew… how I hated… what you stood for… and then… and then… you mated a human,” before his eyes closed.

I took my skin and examined my wounds. I’d survive, but my wolf was spent.

The pack shifted. Bodies lay scattered on the bloodied ground, and I told my brother to burn the conspirators. The rest of La Luna Noir dead, the ones who gave their life for our pack, would be given a proper burial.

I limped toward Tony, blood and sweat dripping into my eyes.

I’d been assured the danger came from outside the pack. Instead, the rot was festering from within. I’d have to purge any remaining traitors.

27

TONY

Arnie and I were chatting and eating the snacks, and he was talking about his job. He was proud of his old-school betting ring that avoided surveillance and couldn’t be monitored by law enforcement. He and his punters had been friends for years.

“I’m so glad you and Flint found one another.”

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