Page 25 of His Lucky Moon Mate

“Shut your fucking mouth,” Binder hissed between clenched teeth.

“No, stop!” Shannon raised her hands between them, warding both men off. “Lord Silver, you made a wager with my Da a long time ago for my hand, but I must insist he had no rights to that claim. But, if you would now make a wager with me,” Shannon said, and Binder snarled.

“Why would I do that for a prize that is already mine?” Silver asked.

“Because I was never my father’s to wager,” Shannon said, her voice strong. “I am my own person. You can’t force me to love you.”

“What does love have to do with it? You are one of the last Mariposa Fairies in the realm, and you belong in my court. I would shower you, Fair One, with jewels and sweets, anything you desire,” he said, his voice designed to seduce.

Binder growled. His simmering rage reached a steady boil. Yes, he wanted to give Shannon time to try to reason with the Fae Lord, but he could not bear to listen to this fucker try to convince her to stay with him. Perhaps actions would speak louder.

“All fathers hold rights to their children in Fairy, Princess. Your argument is null. Now, come with me quietly or I will kill your father and the Wolf.”

Binder watched Shannon’s eyes fill with dread, and that was all he could stand. He couldn’t let this asshole have her. Not now. Not ever.

Man the fuck up, Wolf, I need you, he growled inside his head, trusting his animal to listen when it counted.

“Are you a righteous Fae?” Binder asked, stopping the bastard in his tracks.

“You dare impugn my honor?”

“Yeah, I dare.”

“How would you like to die, Wolf?” Silver asked, pointing his sword at Binder.

“In my bed with my loved ones around me a hundred years from today,” he replied, grinning at the now angry as fuck Fae.

Something happened to his glamor as his ire rose. The Fae Lord’s skin was pockmarked and riddled with scars. His teeth glowed green, his eyes were black as pitch, and his hair was no longer illustrious and beautiful.

“Most things here are an illusion, Binder,” Shannon whispered.

“Quiet female,” Silver hissed.

“Don’t talk to her again. In fact, no more talking at all. You said you were honorable, but you hide your true form behind magic. Face me, Silver, show me who you really are.”

“Are you challenging me, dog?” he whispered.

“I am. Shannon Rose is my mate, but more than that she is a free being. After I am finished with you, you will forgive this debt of her father’s, and you will relinquish your claim on her. No one here has any claim to any part of her unless she says so. That’s just basic human fucking rights.”

“We are not human here, dog. But I accept your challenge. Begin,” he said and snapped his fingers.

It happened faster than Binder could have ever anticipated. Thunder and lightning attacked him from the skies as Silver wielded his sword, hacking at him like he was a fucking log on a stump. Pain lanced up his arm as he blocked blow after blow, calling for his Wolf.

“Binder!” shouted Shannon.

Binder watched as Silver blurred to where she kneeled by her Da. The Fae appeared no worse for wear, and he paused in front of her his un-glamoured face hideous as his soul. The vile pig put his hands on her face, bent down, and stole a kiss. Or a lick. Whatever the fuck. He had touched Binder’s mate. Then Silver shoved her, and Shannon fell back on the unforgiving ground.

And. Binder. Went. Crazy.

Grrrrr.

Chapter 11

Shannon’s father had done some pretty terrible things, but she never thought he would stoop so low as to use her as a prize in a bloody wager. Fury and fear warred within her as the evil Fae Lord, Silver, circled around her mate. Something was wrong with Binder.

Why wasn’t he shifting? Where was his Wolf?

Terror slithered its way through her veins, and she yelped aloud when Silver appeared in front of her. The vile Fae seemed to scent her despair, and the bastard liked it.

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