Dominating Their Mate [Wolf Pack Mates 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  Neither Eve nor Taige was working on their crafts. Both were sitting in the apartment, holding cups of coffee. Silently Ginnie went across to Taige and gave her a hug, then she hugged Eve. Zircon raised an eyebrow at Malachi and he nodded, filling the coffeepot again and putting it on to reheat.

  “We’ll take you to the pack lands and look after you. Afterward we’ll take you away to safety if that’s necessary. I hope it won’t be, but you have our word that you’ll be protected, Taige. And you, too, Eve.”

  “I believe Jasper will win. I know that Cornelian will have his back, as will Jett and Morgan. I thank you for your promise to care for me. I really don’t like the idea of anyone being killed, but I do understand there’s no other solution. All these troubles and uprisings have to stop or the pack will grind to a halt under the stress. Jasper’s been understanding and forgiving. It hasn’t worked. Now he has to revert to old-style werewolf law and prove he’s the undisputed Alpha of the pack.” Taige spoke slowly and steadily, her voice firm.

  She was usually such a light and bubbly person, full of fun. Now Zircon could see the other side of her. The side that proved she was an able and capable mate for their Alpha. A woman strong enough to stand by his side in times of trouble. A woman prepared to face losing her mate in the struggle to keep the pack as a whole safe.

  Zircon hated having to say anything more, but it was important the women knew what to expect and would cooperate. He took a deep breath and made his voice firm but not loud. “Taige, Eve, Ginnie. You need to understand that if things go wrong, very wrong, your safety will be immediately imperiled. Titan’s friends will attack you next. Should Titan declare victory you can’t wait around. Malachi and I will try to get you away unobtrusively, but that might be impossible. If we tell you to run, you must instantly run. We’ll hold any attackers back until our friends can take over, then we’ll catch you up and take you away. The motorcycles will be our best means of escape and Morgan will give us the keys to all the bikes before the fight. There can be no discussion about this. You must be protected. Understand?”

  Zircon looked first at Taige, but she was nodding. She’d evidently already thought about afterward. By the time he looked at Ginnie her face was pensive, but she also nodded. Eve, the staid and sensible one, he knew would have worked it out for herself.

  “Change into sturdy boots, then we’ll go.” Zircon didn’t want to arrive in a rush. He wanted to be there in time to get a sense of the atmosphere, of how many people might be secretly supporting Titan. He and Malachi also had a few items of business to conduct just in case everything went wrong. He didn’t like the idea of having his important personal papers in his pockets if there was a fight, but he liked even less the possibility of having to run away to save the women and not having his documentation. He’d put them in a Ziploc bag and shove them down inside his tighty-whities. It was the best solution he could think of.

  Taige went to her nightstand and took out an envelope. She handed it to Eve and said, “That’s the details of my lockbox at the bank. I can always get you to wire me money if I need to run. Zircon, should I take my passport?”

  “I don’t think so. But if it’s hidden you might want to tell us where it is.”

  Taige tapped her nightstand and they all understood. Eve folded the envelope in half and shoved it inside her bra. All three women were lacing up heavy winter boots. Zircon was glad he’d chosen to wear boots today instead of shoes. They’d come in very useful. He was about to suggest they leave when he saw Eve rummaging through a box so he waited. He was glad he had when she pulled out a safety pin and pinned the envelope to her bra, then pulled her T-shirt and sweater back up again.

  “Let’s go.”

  The ride back to the pack lands was silent. When they reached the boom gate across the road, he wasn’t really surprised to see Pavel guarding it. It was something he hadn’t even thought of, but a good idea nonetheless. They didn’t really want strangers visiting them today of all days. Nor did they want a truckload of paid mercenaries attempting to join the fight. Jasper was much too honorable to do that, but he was no longer so sure about Titan. Previously he’d have said Titan was a hard-working man, a good pack member although disgruntled at not having found a mate. But now he realized he no longer trusted the man at all.

  He parked in the big barn, leaving his truck facing out and in a position where it’d be easy to get away. Silently he pointed to the three motorcycles against the wall. Ginnie nodded, as did Taige. Eve simply blinked.

  He led the way to the central grassed area which was their community meeting space. He walked slowly, letting them all, especially Ginnie, get a feel for where trees, buildings, and roads were. Taige was likely familiar with the place now, and possibly Eve was, too. But Ginnie’d only been here once and it was dark and she was blindfolded. Although, as an artist, he expected she’d remember details well. He hoped so anyway.

  Zircon led them as far as a seat and gestured for the women to sit, then he motioned toward the building to Malachi. Malachi nodded and stood behind the women, central to all three of them, his legs spread, weight evenly on both feet. He was quite clearly on guard. Zircon bobbed his head once, and slipped quietly away.

  He went first to his own house, noting a large piece of wood had been nailed over the smashed window. Quickly he collected a few important things, distributing them around his pockets and person. He locked the door again, then hurried to the main building. Cornelian was watching for him—and possibly other people as well—and silently handed him a few more things which he shoved down the front of his underwear. It was getting crowded down there, but he couldn’t think of a better storage place. His pockets weren’t going to be safe if he had to fight.

  Next he raced up the stairs to Morgan’s office and was handed the motorcycle keys. “If trouble breaks out, Jett and I will stay to fight for Jasper, and so will Cornelian. We’re trusting you and Malachi to rescue all three women.”

  “We will, I promise you. But land some good hard blows for us,” Zircon replied.

  Morgan pulled a set of brass knuckles out of his pocket. Zircon smiled. “I like the way you think!”

  Aware that time was speeding past, Zircon returned to the women. On the way he dropped one set of keys in his jeans front pocket. He handed the second set Malachi, and was trying to decide whether to keep the third set or give them to Malachi as well, when Eve said, “Give them to me and stand in front of me while I put them in my bra.”

  Since he had no better idea of who to give them to, he did as she said, angling his body to ensure no one would notice what she was doing. He faced toward the grass, noticing the community starting to gather there. There was a faint undercurrent of conversation, but it was quiet, not like a normal community day which was noisy with laughter and fun. It seemed as though everyone was taking this seriously. He just hoped they were all on Team Jasper, not Team Titan. Actually he really hoped those men who had followed Titan and attacked his house had come to their senses, realized they’d made a mistake, and were already aware of how important it was to the continuation of the entire pack that Jasper remained in charge.

  “We should take our places,” he said softly.

  The three women stood and then he watched Taige become the mate of the Alpha. Suddenly she seemed taller, stronger, more powerful. It was she who led the way across the grass and she who moved unerringly to the top center of the field. Eve stood behind her right shoulder and Ginnie behind her left.

  Zircon moved to stand beside Eve, and Malachi placed himself beside Ginnie.

  As if Taige had rung a bell to announce the beginning of the event, other people arranged themselves around the field. Zircon knew they were unerringly standing in pack formation, clarifying to all who knew them where their allegiance lay. The fact that almost everyone ranged themselves on Jasper’s side of the field meant nothing. If he lost the battle, that was the end of the story. But even if he looked as if he might lose it, many people might change sides
so they could claim to be supporting the victor.

  Zircon wondered if Cornelian or Jasper had someone watching the numbers. He supposed they would, but he’d be checking them anyway. Or at least until it became time to rescue the women.

  Titan and his men appeared and stood at the other end of the field. Kyan, the paramedic, arrived, carrying a couple of blankets and the first aid box. He stood exactly at the midline, indicating he was there to work, not to take sides.

  Zircon wished he could see Taige’s face. She stood quite still, not fidgeting or wiggling, which was most unusual for her. She was the kind of person who was always running and jumping, full of energy and life. He hoped she wasn’t scared rigid, but was simply acting dignified. At least she would feel the presence of her friends standing behind her. He had to hope they would give her any extra strength she needed.

  Looking around, Zircon thought almost everyone from the wolf pack was present. He supposed he really ought to do a headcount, to ensure someone wasn’t hiding with a sniper rifle or something similar to take out Jasper unfairly if he appeared to be winning. Again, he had to hope Cornelian had already thought of that. It was much too late for him to do anything now, except see if he could name someone who was missing.

  He was still looking from face to face around the group when Jasper appeared, Cornelian one step behind him and Jett and Morgan walking side by side a pace behind Cornelian.

  Zircon’s gut clenched and he felt absolute terror roll down his spine. Oh Fates, what if Jasper doesn’t win? What will happen to the pack then? How the fucking hell will I be able to protect these three women against the entire pack? Then he took a deep breath and forced his spine straighter. Jasper has entrusted his mate to me. So have Cornelian, Jett, and Morgan. Malachi and I together will protect them and Ginnie, no matter happens. To the death, if that’s what it takes. Jasper is prepared to die. I can do no less.

  * * * *

  Ginnie watched as Jasper kept walking until he was standing in the middle of the grassed area, which reminded her of an old town square. She supposed that was more-or-less what it was, dating back from the community’s earliest farming days. Her entire body was tense with nerves, but there was no way she was going to arch her back or roll her shoulders to loosen her muscles. Taige needed to feel her standing here totally still and supportive.

  She still half wondered if it was really going to end in a fight. Surely they’d negotiate or something. Yes, sure, she’d sat through dozens of history lessons where people went out and fought to be ruler, or fought for land or whatever it was they wanted, but in the twenty-first century she couldn’t quite get her head around the idea that they wouldn’t just say, “Okay let’s discuss this over a coffee.”

  She felt, more than heard, people inhale sharply as Titan marched forward from his end of the square, stopping when he was twenty feet from Jasper.

  An older man stepped from the side of the field until he was equidistant between them. He spoke loudly but firmly, his voice easily distinguishable throughout the area. “This will be a fight for pack leadership and the future direction the pack will take. Undress.”

  Ginnie blinked. Naked? They’re going to fight naked? Oh, of course, they’ll transform and fight as wolves.

  Cornelian came forward and took Jasper’s clothes, and a man on crutches took Titan’s. Ginnie guessed he was one of the men who’d attacked Zircon’s house. Zircon thought he’d broken the leg of one of the attackers.

  “Jasper Lyall. Are you ready to fight to the death?”

  “I am.”

  Jasper’s voice was loud and firm. Not arrogant, but strong and confident.

  “Titan Raul. Are you ready to fight to the death?”

  “Yes.”

  “Either of you may concede at any time. Transform.”

  Ginnie tried to watch both men at once. She wanted to think that Jasper was clearly bigger, stronger, more capable and would therefore win. But Titan was just as big and looked to be equally strong and capable. Surely he would never have challenged Jasper unless he thought he had a good chance of success. He didn’t look stupid to her, or the type of person who would willingly allow himself to be martyred for a cause.

  They were not only of a similar size as wolves, but also they both had brown fur. Titan’s was a little lighter but it wasn’t going to be easy to tell who was winning. Ginnie just hoped it’d be obvious because Titan would give up. The older man had said they could concede. Hopefully Titan would do that.

  The man raised an arm in the air, then brought it down sharply saying, “Attack!”

  Ginnie noticed he moved off the grass pretty fast, too, standing with the paramedic at the midpoint of the area.

  At first the two wolves stood quite still, assessing each other, then they began circling one way and then the other. Ginnie supposed it was some set method of fighting but it looked scary to her. Titan bared his teeth and they were really big and sharp. They looked as if taking a nasty bite out of Jasper would be a very easy thing to do.

  Then Titan jumped and pounced on Jasper. Ginnie’s heart pounded and she almost screamed with shock, biting down hard on her bottom lip so she didn’t make a sound and frighten Taige. I have to be a support for Taige.

  Teeth and claws flashed everywhere as the wolves snarled and jumped and scrabbled over the grass. Clumps of grass and soil flew up in the air and Ginnie’s fists clenched hard by her sides as she strove not to move or utter a sound. In front of her Taige was motionless. Beside her Eve was just as silent and still. Ginnie wanted to scream at the fighting wolves to stop and talk things over like mature adults, but she forced herself to appear in full control of herself and totally unafraid.

  The wolves fought with all four feet, using their claws on whatever piece of body they could reach. Both of them seemed to be avoiding each other’s teeth, but she saw claw marks and missing areas of fur on both bodies.

  They rolled across the grass, snapping, and snarling, and kicking, their tails lashing the air, then Titan was on top of Jasper, his snout close to Jasper’s neck. For a moment Ginnie thought she might vomit, bile forcing its way up into her mouth. But then they rolled over and over again and Jasper appeared to have avoided being bitten. Ginnie swallowed hard and forced herself to breathe through her nose, and unclench her fingers.

  Finally Jasper was on top and had a mouth full of fur from the back of Titan’s neck. He straddled Titan, almost as if he was asking Titan to concede the victory to him. With a full-body twist and throw, Titan rolled over and Jasper lost his grip. The fight was back on, faster and more furious than before, with the wolves rolling and scrabbling across the area, fur and grass and soil flying in chunks wherever they went.

  Ginnie was holding her breath with fear at the ferocity of the battle. Both wolves had bloodied sides and missing fur. Jasper seemed to have lost a couple of claws from one of his hind legs, although Ginnie’d missed seeing how that had happened. It seemed to her that Titan was tiring, although that might have just been wishful thinking.

  Jasper grabbed Titan’s tail between his teeth and tugged hard. He stepped backward, pulling hard on the furry brush. Titan twisted and turned, trying to attack Jasper, but Jasper kept out of the way, always having Titan’s tail between him and the other wolf’s mouth. Faster and faster they spun, Titan snarling and screaming his rage, Jasper staying out of his reach but always dragging on his tail.

  Titan ripped himself loose from Jasper and launched himself right at Jasper’s throat. Ginnie tensed, and her fingernails dug deep into her palms as she forced herself not to make a sound or to react in any way. She flicked a glance at Taige, but her friend remained unmoving and silent. Damn that woman’s got guts!

  Jasper ducked and wove, then knocked Titan down, landing hard on the other wolf’s back. Titan twisted around, trying to get his muzzle close to Jasper’s front leg. Again and again they rolled and twisted, snarling, biting, kicking.

  Titan grabbed one of Jasper’s front legs in his teeth and bit do
wn hard. Once again Ginnie almost vomited in fear, her gaze glued to the fighting wolves. Jasper ignored what had to be intense pain in his leg, lurched his body forward and bit Titan’s neck. He must have gotten the artery as blood spurted over both wolves, then Titan let go of Jasper’s leg and fell backward.

  Jasper stood on Titan’s body, raised his head and howled.

  It was the most bloodcurdling thing Ginnie had ever heard. It was a winner’s salute, yes. But there was also a lament for the fallen and vanquished foe. Jasper’s howl wasn’t pure joy. It included pain and sorrow in the cry as well.

  He is truly a great man, a worthy leader. No one else could have resisted bragging about winning such an intense battle, but Jasper has remained honorable and true. He took no advantages of Titan. He fought fair, and he won!

  The old man stepped over into the field and stood beside Titan. He kneeled down and gently closed Titan’s eyes. Then he stood again, and took the few steps that placed him in front of Jasper. Jasper transformed into human form. The older man kneeled again, at Jasper’s feet, and bowed his head, before standing yet again. “Pay homage to your Alpha, Jasper Lyall,” he ordered in ringing tones.

  Immediately Taige walked forward as did Cornelian, and together they kneeled before Jasper. Jasper stretched out his hands to them and they stood. “My two mates will rule this pack at my side,” he said in a tone that brooked no arguments.