Page 104 of Ascendant Moon
Bruce didn’t move, needing more information. To get it, he had to shift. Caleb immediately tapped the portable transmitter in his pocket as soon as Ballard revealed himself. The signal would confirm that they had, indeed, found the correct spider in their web, and the hidden security personnel would now close the outer circle, preventing Ballard’s escape.
The photo he’d seen didn’t do the Beta justice. He reallydidlook like an escaped prisoner or someone you didn’t want to meet in a dark alley. Caleb swallowed the lump in his throat and continued playing the role of friendly greeter. Ballard addressed Ben directly.
“What kind of lies did Melva Winchell tell you? I’m here to reclaim my Omega and then leave.”
Ben pasted on a smile and nodded in agreement.
“Of course. I’m sure Melva was mistaken about your circumstances, and you must miss Lincoln terribly. We hoped you would come for him, and here you are! I see you arrived on foot, but we can arrange transportation if you’d like.”
Bruce hadn’t expected them to be on his side, but it was far better than what Sheppard’s men had accused him of.
“Thanks, but I’ll just collect my Omega and get going.”
Ben waved in the direction of the packhouse.
“Certainly. This way, please.”
Bruce shifted again and followed the friendly group, passing new homes and well-kept grounds along the way. None of the men spoke, either to him or to each other, and they soon arrived at what had to be the heart of the packlands. A large group parted for them as they approached, and Bruce spotted Lincoln and a big, shirtless Beta standing alone. Though he was relieved to see the Omega, something wasn’t right about all this. Bruce shifted and when he reached out for Lincoln, the other man blocked his way with rumbling growls.
“Don’t touch him. Lincoln ismymate, and I challenge you to the death!”
Chapter 52
Bruce took a step back and assessed the young buck more closely as the surrounding crowd murmured in agreement. The man was powerfully built for a Beta, and at least a decade younger. If he trulywasLincoln’s mate, they hadn’t sealed it with a bite, and Bruce had the stronger claim.
“Lincoln smells like ME, not you, and that pup is mine.”
The younger man stood his ground.
“That’s because you raped and impregnated him against his will. Then you locked him up like a dog and kept him prisoner. You used and abused my mate, and now I’m going to kill you.”
Four burly enforcers stepped forward to surround a whimpering Lincoln and escort him to the sidelines. It was only now that Bruce noticed he was standing in a challenge circle, completely surrounded by the pack. Behind them was a second ring of muscle, and none of them looked friendly. He found Ben in the crowd and pointed at him.
“You lied! This was a setup! Lincoln Hart belongs to me and you know it.”
Ben’s eyes changed to glowing amber as he growled loud and low.
“Lincoln belongs with his true mate, and the national council has already condemned you. Your only choice right now is to face the challenge or my security team. Either way, you die.”
“NOOOOOO!”
Scooter and Bruce shifted at the same time and began circling one another. They were well matched, with Scooter being fasterand Bruce heavier. The first clash lasted only seconds leaving both men bloodied but retreating. Evan was busy helping a frightened Lincoln while Jack focused on Ballard. Ben, too, had quickly stripped down—ready to jump in if need be, not trusting Bruce to fight with honor.
Scooter watched his opponent for the tell that would give Bruce away and provide him an advantage. The man’s tail twitched ever so slightly just before Ballard came at him like a bullet, and Scooter jumped aside to rake his flank with sharp claws. Bruce used his weight to knock Scooter to the ground, aiming open jaws at his exposed throat. Scooter’s longer legs tossed Ballard in the air, allowing him to roll over and fasten his fangs on the man’s right forepaw.
Bruce lunged, head-butting Scooter, ripping off an ear, and freeing his injured leg. They were both bleeding freely now, retreating to circle again and looking for the final advantage to end this contest. Only shifter senses could have followed what happened next as both men moved at the same time, meeting in a tumbling clash of fang and fury. Blood spattered those nearby as they sank sharp teeth into soft flesh, shredding one another in a frenzied tangle that left both men compromised.
Between his injured leg and flayed chest, Bruce had one last chance to take down his opponent and lunged at Scooter. Overcome with fear for his mate, Lincoln let loose with a spine-tingling howl that momentarily startled Bruce. It was just enough of a distraction, and just in time, for Scooter to clamp powerful jaws around Ballard’s exposed throat. Flinging the older wolf from side to side resulted in the sickening crunch of broken vertebrae, and Bruce went limp with a final gasp.
Scooter dropped the lifeless Beta and attempted a victory howl, but collapsed on the blood-soaked grass. Lincoln trieddesperately to wiggle free, growling and snapping at the men who held him back. Donna and Erin rushed to Scooter’s side, only to find that he was bleeding out, and called for a volunteer to transfuse him. Ben shifted and dropped down next to his packmate before anyone else could respond.
The ladies hooked them up with practiced ease, and then Donna reached for needle and thread to patch up Scooter before it was too late. Helpless and worried, the crowd watched as she worked feverishly to staunch the flow, drawing on her emergency room experience. No one spoke as they waited to see some sign of hope. Evan was compelled to kneel next to Ben, even as Lincoln was released and scurried over to his mate, offering soft yips and gentle licks to his face.
Donna waited as long as she could and then removed the needle from Ben to ask for another volunteer. Lou came running this time to take his place, deep concern etched on his rugged features before he stripped and shifted. Time stood still as Donna monitored Scooter’s heartbeat and breathing. Some in the crowd were now crying, others huddled together in fear or to share comfort. Several more agonizing minutes passed before Lou reached his donation limit, and Donna stopped the transfer to begin issuing orders.
“Ben and Lou need to eat and sleep. Scooter can be safely moved now, but I need two volunteers to carry him to the infirmary and another blood donor.”
Lincoln backed away to give them room to work and bumped into Bruce’s ravaged, broken body. Instead of shying away, he squatted over his dead abuser and pissed on the carcass. Satisfied by such a fitting farewell, he then howled in victory and followed after his injured mate.
