Page 67 of Rejected Mate

Husk was dead? A pain hit my chest and I couldn't breathe.

Her father roared, throwing his head back. "None of these are your mate. I've agreed to your bonding with the Storm pack's alpha."

"This is your only warning, father." Fagua's skin glowed with her magic. "Stop this now and we can live in peace. No one else has to pay the price for your ego."

Her mother stepped behind her father. "Come with me, child."

Fagua shook her head. "You betrayed me. I'm not going anywhere with you." She turned to her father. "I won't let you do this."

Her father grinned, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I'm doing this for you. You'll see that soon."

"You're doing this for yourself."

"I am your alpha," her father yelled. "Do as I command... kill them."

"No." Fagua held up her hands and magic shot from her palms and into every wolf around. "You can't control them anymore. If they want to fight, then it is their choice."

The wolves shook their heads as though clearing it of something. Half of them shifted back into their human forms, looking around as though waking from a nightmare. A few more peeled off, running down the street.

"Your time is over, father." Her gaze raked the wolves. "No longer do you have to obey your alpha," she said to them.

Many wolves around us broke into loud yelps and started running through the streets, away from the battle. But not all of them.

Two wolves rushed toward me, but both stopped dead in their tracks at Fagua's magic swirling overhead. They each took a step back, but then stood their ground as though waiting for her to drop her guard and then they'd attack. Not on my watch. My fur bristled and my lips curled. I would pay them all back for what happened to Husk.

A glow surrounded Fagua, and she lifted off the ground. The blue light radiating from her skin was so brilliant it was hard to even look at her.

"Enough," her father roared. "We're wolves, not witches."

Her mother flinched at his comment but said nothing.

"I challenge your mates to a duel." Her father tilted his head. "If either of them can best me in a fair fight, then I'll yield."

"Bring it, old man," Winter said, then shifted back into his wolf form.

Something wasn't right. I could smell it. Two of us against her father?

Before I could shift and ask any questions, Winter lunged. Her father crashed into him. He tossed Winter aside and into a tree like he was no threat. Winter yelped, struggling to stand.

How was her father that strong? It shouldn't be possible.

We'd fought other wolves, and even alphas, in the past and always held our own.

I shoved aside my thoughts and charged, changing direction at the last second to come up on his flank.

Her father spun so fast I didn't have time to stop. I collided into a boulder. A snap of pain had blood gushing from my nose.

"Sky," Fagua said, tears running down her cheeks.

I couldn't let her father win. He'd kill us, and they'd already killed Husk.

I rolled over and crawled to my feet, staggering toward Winter, who struggled to stand.

I was in too much pain to win. I knew that. Only one thing to do. I lunged.

Her father knocked me aside and I hit the side of a building with enough force to leave a huge dent in the metal siding. I managed to stand, shaking and ready to fight again.

Fagua's mother let out a scream when her mate tossed Winter against a nearby wall on the other side of the street.

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