“All right, Tex. Don’t want you in no trouble ’gain.”
He nodded. The club’s mechanic, Thumbs, was a big man, very muscular and dark haired. A mix of Shinan wolves and feral dogs in his ancestry, he happened to be one of the better mutts in the gang. Thumbs, who also happened to be his best friend, had a heart of gold, and he appreciated how Thumbs cared about his wellbeing.
“No worries here, Thumbs. I know not to leave until the fight’s done.”
But then, if I left, that would piss off Inferno. I’d be subjected to a fight in the ring for breaking a rule. Again. Though that happening would jazz up his life a bit, fighting wasn’t something he wanted to do any time soon. His ribs still didn’t feel quite right from when he’d fought a couple weeks ago.
“You okay, Tex?”
Tex patted Thumbs on the back. “Right as rain. Just restless.”
Thumbs smiled and nodded as if he understood. Tex wondered if he actually did. Though great with machines, Thumbs usually came off as not having a whole lot of smarts when it came to the subtleties of life. But there were instances when Thumbs seemed more astute than ten of the most intelligent club members put together.
It was during those moments Tex couldn’t help but see Thumbs for the truly wonderful man he was and not just a simpleton, wrench turner.
A second horn blasted, and everyone fell silent.
The club president, Inferno, stepped into the empty ring. Sunlight glinted off his greased down, shoulder length black hair. Aviator sunglasses concealed his mahogany-colored eyes. “Thank you all for being here!”
“Not like we had a choice,” Tex mumbled under his breath and received a nudge from Thumbs. He hadn’t realized he’d said it loud enough for anyone to hear and bobbed his head once to acknowledge the mechanic.
Inferno tended to rule the club like a dictator. He wanted loyalty and no attitude. Attendance at disciplinary hearings was mandatory for all Helldorado Mongrels. Missing a forum was cause to be sent into the ring.
“As you all know,” Inferno shouted, “justice in our pack is swift and efficient. It’s been less than eighteen hours since the grievous offense has occurred and now we will see reparation. Because Kane couldn’t do what needed to be done for the Shinan wolves in regard to Tabu wolf Gabe Dyson, Kane has to fight to keep his place in the Helldorado Mongrels.”
Another round of chants for blood filled the air. Inferno held up his arms for quiet.
Once the gang settled, Inferno continued, “Kane brought the pup to the ’pound before part of the gang, which included yours truly, had returned from a ride and while others were heavy into a party. Did he throw the pup into our dungeon? No. He left the pup in the garage and joined the party himself. Had he instructed anyone to be on guard? No. This led to Gabe coming into our ’pound with ease and overpowering the few who’d still had their wits about them. But what did Kane do? Did he stay and fight? No! He ran and hid with his tail between his legs. He’d even had the gall to brag that he’d be the next alpha by first taking over Hannibal’s position, then mine.”
Boos echoed across the landscape.
Once more, Inferno held his arms up. “In light of the charges of insubordination, treachery and incompetency, Kane will battle my choice of opponent, our lead enforcer, Preach. They will fight in human form, wolf form, or combinations of either. And since they are of the same Shinan wolf breed, the fight will be to the death.”
The crowd cheered again.
Thumbs shook his head. “I feel bad for Kane. Havin’ to fight Preach. Kane will surely die. An’ all he wanted was to make Inferno proud and be his VP.”
“Yep,” Tex replied with a nod. Preach was well trained and highly skilled in all combat arts and got his nickname because he’d once said he liked to preach not with his mouth but with his fists.
Kane didn’t stand a chance.
And all because the Shinan wolves didn’t like their Tabu wolf cousins or the Tabus’ love interests.
The flesh of Tex’s back rippled. His breath caught in his throat and for a moment he couldn’t breathe. Hating the anxious feelings that’d been plaguing him lately, he calmed his mind and waited the few seconds for the sensations to end. When they did, he breathed deep.
He caught several smells on the slight breeze and felt like he ran full force into a block wall of realization. His uneasiness of late was because of the Tabu and who he was with … sort of. It was more of who they were connected to within that tour group.
Sniffing the air again, he closed his eyes. Ground corn, roses, chili-peppers and an open fire for cooking. He loved those scents. They reminded him of his abuela.
The aromas put his inner beast into heat.
Once more the brick wall slapped him out of nowhere, and he finally grasped the full weight of the matter.
He’d been scenting his mate.
The End
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Possessed by Him Page 9