Her uncle turned his head in her direction briefly. He shielded bared teeth instantly, his look shifting from her to Darien standing next to her, his stance protective. Her heart lifted to see both her uncle and brother back together again. But then she cringed when Bruin knocked Leidolf on his hip.
Leidolf quickly recovered and dodged the heavier wolf’s lunge. Bruin weighed at least forty pounds more than her brother, was shorter and stockier and thicker necked. But Leidoif had a regal way of moving, swiftly, silently, dangerously. He’d taken down a stag without a sound, killed a bear that had attacked her mother when they were living in the mountains, and now he seemed even more serious, determined, deadly.
Darien watched, as if he was ruler of all the land, and the tournament was for his and his courtiers’ sport. Everyone’s tongues panted from exertion and blood tinged a fair amount of the wolves’ pelts. A couple sat down. The rest stiffly observed, wary of the fight, promising to take on the pack leader and his brother if the reds who fought them lost the game. Old Mr. Hastings, who had shouted that her brother and uncle had arrived, was the only one in human form.
Darien glanced up at Lelandi and licked her hand. She crouched down next to him, wrapped her arm around his neck, and gave him a hug. “Thanks for avenging my sister’s tormenter.” She spoke loud enough for Bruin to hear.
He jerked his head in her direction, and Leidolf slammed into him, knocking the pack leader off his pads. He crashed into a table and broke one of the legs. Leidolf growled low at Bruin, then savagely attacked his throat. Bruin bit back, but Leidolf held on for dear life, growling. After several seconds that felt like hours. Bruin sank to the floor, dead.
Uncle Hrothgar seemed to smile, then he tackled Bruin’s last living brother, biting him in the face when Cindon turned his head to protect his throat. None could be left standing if they were to oust the red pack from their lands.
Two more of the grays sat down, the fight nearly ended.
Silva came down the stairs and gave Lelandi a somber nod. But Lelandi didn’t know how to take the message. She wanted to check on Carol, but she had to see her uncle win against Brain’s brother.
Leidolf watched their uncle for a minute, then turned his attention on her. He was heaving with weariness, but anger still filled his soul. His gaze shifted to Darien. He knew. He understood she was his now, and she sensed he didn’t like it. He didn’t have to like it. He’d left them to fend for their own, and she’d found her soul mate.
Uncle Hrothgar pounced again at Cindon, this time snapping his neck in two like Darien had done to his brother. Crassus. For several minutes, no one did anything, the grays watching what the red wolves did next, and the reds eyeing Darien.
“My brother, Leidolf.” Lelandi stood and motioned to the red wolf standing next to Bruin‘s dead body. “And Uncle Hrothgar.” She motioned to the other.
Darien panted, then licked Lelandi’s hand and ran up the stairs. Still, no one moved, waiting for Darien’s word.
A few minutes later, he returned dressed in his jeans, while he yanked a shirt on, a trail of blood running down his chest. “Leidolf,” he addressed Lelandi’s brother first. Then he bowed his head slightly at Uncle Hrothgar. “Welcome to my pack.”
The two considered Lelandi, then loped out through the front door.
Darien gave her a weary smile and kissed her cheek. “Change, and get this place cleaned up,” he said to his pack. He looked around and frowned. “Where the hell is Trevor?”
Uncle Sheridan jerked on his clothes and gave a disgruntled growl. ‘I’ll check into it and let you know.” He took off for his truck.
Darien still couldn’t believe Lelandi’s brother and uncle had arrived so unexpectedly, but he suspected Ural must have sent word to them.
Tall for a red, a man walked back into the house, his chestnut hair tinged red, his eyes as jade as Lelandi’s, narrowed, wary. Darien suspected his height had to do with his royal heritage and the fact he was directly related to the first lupus garou—a gray. His body erect, wiry, ready for confrontation, a proud and sturdy jaw, angry lips and brows deeply furrowed defined him. Again he looked at Lelandi like she belonged to him, and he wanted her back. Lelandi’s uncle walked in afterward, somewhat older, same height, more cautious, a lot less cocky.
“She’s mine,” Darien growled, unable to welcome the intruder like he’d intended, unable to curb his feral possessiveness when ft came to his mate.
Leidolf cocked his head slightly, his lips curving upward a hint.
Lelandi stood stock still, not saying a word, but her eyes were wide and expressive. She appeared worried that Darien and Leidolf would fight.
Darien took the aggressive red males cue though, and bowed his head as Tom and Jake flanked him. “She is mine,” he reiterated, not about to make any flowery speeches.
Leidolf kissed Lelandi on the cheek, and she appeared to be holding her breath, pale and unsure of herself.
“So it seems.” Leidolf said, his voice a deep, threatening timbre. “I had planned to bring Lelandi home to my pack.”
Lelandi let out her breath. “To Wlldhaven? You’ll lead them now?”
“No, In Oregon. Mother and Father have joined me there. Uncle Hrothgar will take on the pack in Wildhaven. Will you come with me?” He lightly took hold of her arm as if to persuade her to follow his lead.
“No, Leidolf.” Her cheeks reddened and she jerked her arm out of his grasp. “You left us two years ago! We could have used your help! You think you can waltz in here and dictate to me because now you’re a pack leader? That would be the day.”
“Then, that’s settled. Several prime-aged reds joined the pack and were looking for a mate and were very much interested when I said my sister was available,” but Leidolf gave a shrug and cast Darien a seething look.
So, had Leidolf already promised his sister to a pack member? When a pack had a severe shortage of females as many do, bringing in eligible mates could improve a new leaders standing, not to mention it tied more of the clan’s loyalty with the bond created. Darien folded his arms, trying to appear relaxed, but if Leidolf grabbed Lelandi’s arm again...
“I’m not available. I’m mated. And this is where I’m staying.”
Loving seeing Lelandi’s ire unloaded on her brother after what he’d pulled. Darien agreed.
Leidolf shook his head. “I don’t approve.”
Darien ground his teeth. If Leidolf had any intention of taking Lelandi with him, Darien would shapeshift and change the red’s mind.
“But what’s been done, can’t be undone under our laws. If your mate should ever expire and you want a home with us, you’ll be welcome, Lelandi.” Leidolf turned to Darien. “If you’ll permit me, I’ll take Ural off your hands. He’ll return with me to my pack.”
“Gladly,” Darien said.
She kissed her brother on the cheek. “Be safe, my brother. I’d like to visit you and your pack soon.” She squeezed his hand, released him, then wrapped her arm around Darien’s waist. “With my mate.”
The phone rang and Lelandi gave a little start. Tom grabbed the phone half-buried under the sofa. “Yes, Uncle Sheridan? I’ll tell Darien you haven’t located Trevor yet. Darien wants Ural released into the red’s care and they’re leaving. Leidolf will meet you at the Jail.”