Page 28 of Grumpy Special Ops Bear: Ep. 3
“Enough!” I broke free from Grant and Cutter. “Let her go, and I’ll let you run home with your tails between your legs.”
Price growled but didn’t release her. “Now, why would I do that? I have the leverage here, Fergus, not you.” He forced Trinity forward a few steps, keeping the blade against her skin. “I could spill her blood so easily, kill her right before your eyes. I would bury her body in the new-fallen snow along with yours and the rest of your bastard kind.”
I nodded once and lowered my head, fighting my inner bear that was pressing against my skin. Soon I wouldn’t be able to control my rage or him. “I challenge you,” I growled.
Price’s face turned pale.
“Right now. Do you deny me my right to a challenge? Are you that much of a fucking coward?”
Boyle cursed, and the wolves circled around us uneasily. Even Cutter and Grant looked apprehensive.
Price’s hand trembled. “You wouldn’t,” he finally whispered.
“I challenge you for control of your pack,” I hissed.
“That is unprecedented. You can’t do that.”
My jaw tightened. “I just did. If I win, I will take control of your pack and weed out all those who’ve followed you. I will make their lives a living hell.”
“And start a war,” Boyle stated.
“No,” I argued with a mocking grin. “Any death by a challenge cannot, nor will it ever, start a war. That is shifter law. Guess you won’t get everything you came for after all, Price.”
Chapter 17
Trinity
There wasno way Price would agree. In bear form, Fergus was easily four times Price’s size.
What the hell is Fergus doing?
“Fine,” Price answered. “But I have a condition.”
“Name it,” Fergus barked.
“We fight as humans!” Price shouted. “One on one. The winner decides the fate of the rest.”
“Done,” Fergus replied. Then he turned to consult with Cutter and Grant.
“Boyle, I expect you to do what you must,” Price whispered harshly as he shoved me into Boyle’s arms, knife and all. “Do you understand my meaning?”
“Of course.” Boyle bowed his head. “Kill him, and let’s get this over with.”
I wanted to yell out a warning to Fergus, but the knife was already back at my throat while Boyle held me pressed against his naked chest.
He sniffed my neck once more and sighed. “Such sweet meat. Soon, my dear, I’ll get to taste you.”
A shudder ran down my spine as I watched the remaining wolves, along with Cutter and Grant, now bears, form a circle around Fergus and Price. I focused on Fergus’s face, but he didn’t look my way.
He had eyes for only one thing—Price.
It was as if his bear had taken over—if not in bear form, at least in his mind. I knew Fergus was going to kill Price, but I was also sure it would not be a fair fight.
Price and Fergus stepped toward each other, and then they stopped and waited. I was about to ask what was going on when Price howled and lunged forward.
Price nailed Fergus in the face with a one-two hit before Fergus punched him in the kidney and then kicked him in the knee, knocking Price to the ground. Fergus raised his foot to stomp on Price’s face, but he rolled away.
Price stayed low and went for Fergus’s middle, trying to tackle him. I watched intently, trying to keep my gaze trained on Fergus, but my eyes kept going to the other wolves. They were slowly closing in tighter and moving toward Grant and Cutter. It was as if they weren’t about to wait for their alpha to give the order before they attacked.
