Page 43 of Kin of the Wolf

Whether Duncan sensed the call coming to me or not, I didn’t know, but he looked over. “If you accept, I’ll make sure the others don’t interfere.”

“There are a lot of them.”

“There’s a lot ofme.” His smile was almost savage. Hewantedto fight them.

“I’m willing to take him on, but what I really want is to get him to confess in front of witnesses.” I nodded toward the porch.

“Confess to being an obnoxious ass who challenges females?” Duncan asked.

“To being an obnoxious ass who, in the name of the pack, extorts business owners when he’s not busy skulking about, waiting for opportunities to steal invaluable artifacts.” I glanced toward my truck, reminded that the case was in the glove box. By habit, I’d locked the vehicle, but I wondered if my cousins had sensed the artifact in there.

“He might not admit to that unless you’re standing on his throat.”

“He would look good with a paw crushing his Adam’s apple,” I said.

“Agreed.”

I bumped elbows with Duncan before walking forward by myself, my skin hot with the magic of the impending change. If I didn’t remove my clothes soon, I risked losing them, but Augustus couldn’t confess once he changed into a wolf.

“I’ll only fight you on your terms,” I said, “if you tell us all why you’re extorting business owners who have paranormal blood and doing it in the name of the pack. Not only in Snohomish County but in King County too. Why do you need money? You’re a wolf and hunt for your food.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Augustus said again.

I folded my arms over my chest. “Then I’m not fighting you.”

“That would make you a coward and not worthy to inherit anything from your mother.” Eyes challenging, Augustus looked toward the porch.

Mom didn’t say anything. After our conversation, I knew she believed my cousins were obnoxious pains in the asses, but I also knew she wouldn’t stop a formal challenge from playing out in her driveway. She would also think less of me if I didn’t accept it.

“If I were stupid enough to fall for whatever scheme you’ve cooked up,thenI wouldn’t be worthy,” I said. “The bartender of El Gato Mágico knows who you are and can identify you. If you’re going to be a brutish thug, maybe you should use another name.”

A hint of uncertainty flashed in Augustus’s eyes, but he masked it by bending to remove his shoes. I hoped my mom had caught that look, that she believed what I’d told her.

“Also,” I added, “maybe you shouldactuallystop crime in the area if you’re going to charge people for doing so.”

“Maybe you should start taking off your clothes and change so we can get this over with.” Augustus tossed his shoes and socks aside.

Behind me, Duncan removed his shirt.

Augustus had started to reach for his fly, but he paused. “This duel doesn’t involve you, loner.”

“I’m here to ensure the duel remains fair and under the conditions you proposed,” Duncan said coolly. “One-on-one.”

“And here I thought he was here to screw her,” Marco muttered, drawing laughs from the others.

Duncan turned his cold gaze on them. For a guy who was smiling and affable most of the time, he could do menacing well when he wanted. Maybe it was because we were all magical and could sense the feral power that emanated from him.

Marco and the others shifted to the side of the driveway,leaving Augustus standing alone. They didn’t go far though; they remained close enough that they could leap in at any time.

Duncan tossed his shirt over the railing of the porch. I took a deep breath, reassured that he could also jump in at any time.

“If I beat you, I want your word that you’ll leave the business owners alone,” I said.

“I still have no ideawhatyou’re talking about, coz.” Augustus waved a dismissive hand, then removed his jeans. “We’re dueling tonight because you’ve besmirched my honor.”

“Do you even know what that word means?”

“I know a lot.” Now naked in the driveway, Augustus held my gaze. “And I know you’re not worthy to be welcomed back into the pack. You left us. You don’t have any right to be here now.”

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