Shit. Werewolf politics sucked. “But I can’t shift yet. How the hell is that a fair challenge?” He was supposed to defend himself against a wolf attack tonight?
“There are rules about these things set out in the code, of course, but it seems since you’ve been triggered you count as a full wolf. There’s nothing in there about having to wait until you actually can shift.” Erik looked extremely uncomfortable. “It would be in the interest of fair play to wait, but I think Doug’s comment was something like ‘I want to kill the little bastard as soon as possible.’ We’re not talking about nice people here, Tad.”
Missy crowded into his side. The connection between them flared. Images flashed through his mind—Missy accompanying Doug away, Tad left in safety—Tad groaned. While it was neat to know what she was planning, it was going to make it tough to give her surprise gifts in the future if they couldn’t keep any secrets from each other. He turned her to face him and brushed a soft hand against her cheek, gazing into her eyes. He lowered his voice to speak quietly to her alone.
“Missy, you are not going with them. You think you can deny our mating and go be with Doug now? I don’t think so.”
She pressed her hand to his, her fingers cold and shaking. “If my sister is safe, I can stand it. I don’t want to lose you. Just get her to safety and I’ll eventually get away from Whistler.”
Tad hugged her close, his lips brushing her cheek. This time he spoke intimately through their mate connection trying to pass the emotion he felt along with the words. “I can’t let you go back. I can’t stand the thought of him touching you. I’d sooner die killing him than let you return to a life that’s caused you so much pain.”
Missy clung to him for a second then stared up at him with fear in her eyes. “It’s a challenge. He’ll turn into a wolf and kill you, and it will be all my fault.” She covered her face with her hands. “I wish I’d never come back.”
“You don’t mean that.” Tad held her close to his chest. “I love you, and I’m so glad you came back north and found me.”
“But he’s an Alpha wolf and he fights dirty.”
Tad kissed her. Here she was in his arms, the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to him, and a criminal wanted to take her away from him. No bloody way. “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. I can fight dirty myself if I have to. As far as I’m concerned, he’s not entitled to a fair fight after what he’s done to you, your family and your pack.”
Erik cleared his throat. “If you’re ready, everyone is waiting in the back.”
Chapter 10
Tad had seen pictures of gladiator fight rings before. This set-up was a little more archaic and rustic. On the right side of Keil and Robyn’s backyard, the snow had been packed down into the shape of a small hockey rink. The cleared area nudged up against the trees that led out into the wilderness. Bright overhead lights turned the whole area into high noon.
“Someone afraid of the dark, Keil?” Tad called.
Erik pulled Missy with him toward the house and Tad watched as the light in her eyes dimmed.“Missy. You get that look off your face and trust me. We need to decide where to go for a honeymoon. After we finish the job at Mount Logan. Liard Hot Springs in April?”
“Tad, he jumps to the left.”
And then silence.
Tad stared up toward the house. “Keil?”
Keil marched into the lit area and pulled Tad in for a hug. He wore his usual guiding gear of camo pants and padded vest. There was a tall, lean man by his side dressed in a suit who watched with cold eyes. “Tad. This is Heath, Beta of Whistler. He’s here to ensure I explain the challenge and all the terms.” Keil shot an evil look at the intruder. “He’s also listening to make sure I don’t impart any hints on how to win this thing. I’m sorry, but they’ve got traditional law on their side. I have total control over my own pack and territory, but these kind of challenges follow laws that are bigger than me. I suggested they wait until the next full moon so you’d be able to shift as well but the damn code says…”
Tad shook his head. “It’s okay.”
Keil made a rude noise. “It’s not okay. Your sister is going to make my life miserable for not coming up with a better solution.”
Tad looked around but saw nothing beyond the blinding lights. The rest of the yard and the house were dark shadows in the background. “Is Robyn watching?”
“Yes. Erik will stay with her and Missy until this is over. They’re both safe for now.” Keil straightened, looming large and dangerous. He made the Whistler’s Beta look weak and pathetic.
Tad felt it again, a transfer of information to him from another wolf. Emotions rolled through his brain—his Alpha’s desire to take over, his deep frustration—Tad swore softly. It wasn’t just Missy he could read, he knew what Keil wanted as well. Holy shit, he was an Omega. He skimmed through the layers of information quickly until he understood enough to reassure his brother-in-law. “It’s going to be all right. You’ve done everything possible. I know you’d take my place if you could, but that’s not allowed.”
Keil stepped back a pace. He shook his head at Tad in disbelief. “Shit, so you really are an Omega as well?”
Tad nodded. “Seems that way. What’s the deal?”
“Doug wants Missy, so he has to fight the actual battle. He’s able to shift as often as he wants. He’s Alpha for a strong pack, he’ll be a strong wolf. Don’t underestimate him. You two are alone in the arena until one is defeated. Winner gets Missy.”
“No weapons are allowed,” Heath whined. “I want to check you.”
Keil glared at him. “We’d better pull Doug’s teeth and claws, hadn’t we? To make the contest more even?”
Heath shrugged. “Tad is welcome to bite and scratch all he wants to win the fight.”
Tad stood silently while Heath patted him down. It made Tad’s skin crawl. He wished he could fart at will like TJ, just to wipe the smirk off the asshole’s face for a minute. He turned to Keil. “She’s my mate. I can win this, I’m sure of it.”
The tall stranger made a choking sound. “You’re very confident. Shall we get ready? The challenge is to the death.”
Tad got in Heath’s face. “Really? Because I like ‘to the pain’ so much better, you know, from The Princess Bride? Death is short, but ugly lasts forever. Oops, you already knew that, didn’t you?”
He turned his back on the two of them and swung his arms in a majestic manner toward the house. Okay, the whole situation had gotten a little out of hand and he’d like a bit of backup. Maybe what Tad had in mind wasn’t strictly kosher but he’d use it only if absolutely necessary. A fight to the death against a man who’d killed his own brother? Tad needed to know that in the end Missy would be safe. As much as it made his stomach churn, he would ensure Doug either gave up or didn’t leave the arena alive.
“What are you doing?” Keil asked.
“Communing with the spirits. You see as an Omega…” he glanced over his shoulder at Heath to make sure his words impacted, “…as an Omega, both Missy and I have the ability to use not only our skills, but the skills of the wolves who have fought here before.”
Bullshit. He had a degree in it and right now it better work. He moved his arms with great care, praying Robyn was watching his “communing”. Come on, Robyn, pass on the message to your mate.
Keil jerked beside him. Tad was careful not to look at his brother-in-law as he finished up his “magic waving”. Heath had edged away from Tad a step or two. Good. Fear might help keep Tad alive and he really, really wanted to stay alive.
Another figure stalked naked toward them across the snowy February ground. Tad still couldn’t get used to the way wolves let it all hang out, although this guy didn’t seem to have much to hang.