Page 85 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

“Let him?” Galen repeats. “That’s totally not what happened.”

The two wolves are still fighting, twisting and snapping at each other as they try to get an advantage. Nico is far bigger and stronger, but George is holding his own with stamina and experience.

We can’t intervene. They are too stuck together. Anyone trying to break up the fight would get savaged.

“It’s okay, Clara,” Winnie says, appearing at my side. “We’re all here.”

“We’ve got you, dear,” Delia links her arm through mine, giving me a brief hug.

I look around to see a few other pack members have gathered, and one of them is Jacinta. She’s watching the fight with a scared look on her face, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

“I’m sorry, Clara,” she whispers. “I wanted you out of the way, but I wouldn’t condone this. George has acted against the interests of the pack and lost his honor.”

“Thank you, Jacinta,” I answer. “I appreciate you saying so.”

“I will support you in every endeavor from now on,” Jacinta says firmly. “You can count on me.”

“The whole pack saw what you did today,” Delia says, a proud note in her voice. “Now they all know you are worthy of being our alpha’s mate, and that you’ll stand up to protect us.”

“Thank you,” I answer, my eyes still on the fight.

It looks like Nico is starting to tire, and it worries me that George might get the best of him. Galen gets as close as he can, ready to jump in, but the two of them stay twisted together like snakes.

Suddenly, Nico pounces, roaring as he slams his massive front paws down. For a moment, he pins George, but the wily old dog twists and snaps at Nico’s leg, digging his sharp teeth in. Nico howls and backs away, making me rush forward.

Winnie grabs my arm, shaking her head violently. I let her hold me as Galen grabs Nico and George backs away down the alley. He shifts back into his human shape and shakes his fist at us.

“You’ll never take me!” George yells. “I’ll show you! I’ll show all of you!”

Behind George, a tall, slender shadow steps into the alley. All of us react as we see her, and shock breaks across George’s face as he realizes there’s someone behind him.

He turns around slowly to see Macy Ramses standing in the middle of the street, blocking his path.

“Macy!” he gasps. “I never—I mean—I didn’t—you have to listen to me! It’s all lies—I can explain!”

He’s practically jabbering in fear as he backs away. The uneven stones in the road trip him up as he scuttles backwards, and he lands heavily on his ass, one hand up as if to hold Macy at bay.

“I want you to know, George, that what I am about to do, I do in my husband’s name.”

“No, Macy,” George moans. “Please, don’t!”

She glares at him, her eyes so hard, they glint like steel. With a swift wave of her arm, she shifts, a tall, beautiful white wolf appearing as her elegant blue dress slowly flutters to the ground.

“Macy, no!” George screams.

The wolf bares her teeth, snarling. She springs forward to savage George, ripping him open. I back away from the violence, and Winnie hugs me.

“Nico,” I whisper, turning around to find my son. I collapse into Galen’s arms, hugging Nico as hard as I can.

“Mom?” Nico murmurs, still watching Macy take George apart.

“Yes, honey.”

“Excuse my swearing, but Grandma’s a fucking badass.”

I laugh softly, ruffling his hair. “She sure is,” I answer, hugging him.

Galen puts his arms around both of us, and I know deep in my heart that we are safe and all our wounds can finally be given the chance to heal.

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