Changing Hearts

by Marilu Mann

  “I’m thrilled.” Her voice broke slightly as she put her forehead against his chest. “I love you, Malcolm, and I’ll love this baby too.”

  Slade licked his lips then raised his head. He met Micah’s eyes for a moment then gazed around the circle at the Pack. Shaking his head slightly, dismissing those around them for the moment, Slade leaned down to kiss Joie. He poured every bit of passion and feeling in his body into the kiss and she stumbled slightly when he raised his head.

  Several of the people standing around the circle murmured among themselves. He knew he’d just lost most of his credibility with them but it didn’t matter anymore. He no longer cared what the Pack thought of him, only what Joie thought was important.

  “Go to Micah now and do not step back inside this circle.” He gave her a slight push then turned away from her. Maggie stepped into the circle, clapping slowly.

  “Very touching. How sweet. So sweet it makes me sick. Since you’ve chosen her as your mate, chosen her to take my place, I claim her life.”

  “She’s not ‘taking your place’, Maggie. Joie is more than you ever were, than you’ll ever be to any man. She has more honor in her eyelash than you have in your whole body.” Slade kept his eyes on Maggie as he spoke. She curled her lip, and fisted her hands. Knowing it would piss her off, Slade let a short laugh escape as he shook his head and turned his back on her. “You might be Alpha Bitch, but the key word there is bitch.”

  Maggie growled and he spun around. She looked ready to charge at him when Frank and Ramsey grabbed her arms, holding her back. After a moment to collect herself, Maggie shook them off then faced him again. She opened her mouth, ready to blast him, when Micah stepped forward, just to the edge of the circle with his hand on Joie’s shoulder.

  “She is under my protection, Maggie.”

  “You’re involving yourself in the Pack again, Micah?” Maggie turned her attention from Slade to Micah though the entire Pack could feel her anger. Frank stepped forward again, touching her shoulder.

  “The rules are different when there’s a human involved and you know it. This human is under my protection.” Micah met Maggie’s gaze, his eyes never leaving her face, his hand steady on Joie’s shoulder. Finally Maggie nodded shortly then turned her attention back to Slade.

  “Fine. Micah can have the human slut. You’re the one I want.” Maggie shook off Frank’s hand as she stepped forward again.

  “Let the challenge begin.” Slade stepped toward the center of the circle even as Micah pulled Joie farther away.

  “What’s going to happen?” Joie looked up at Micah then around at the Pack. Those who were wearing clothes, including Maggie, started stripping out of them.

  Micah glanced down at her then shed his own jeans. “It’s a challenge, Joie. Only one of them will leave the circle.”

  “You mean they’re fighting to the death?” She knew her voice came out shrill, saw several people stare at her.

  Micah nodded slowly. “Yes, unless one of them concedes.”

  “No! Malcolm can’t do this, please you have to stop them.” She started to step forward, only to be pulled back against Micah’s chest. It was like being hauled against a warm brick wall.

  “Remember what he said to you, little sister. No fear and no interference. If you step into that circle, your life, as well as the life of the child you carry, will be forfeit. I cannot protect you if you go inside the circle.”

  “Why? Why did he agree to this?” She felt the tears gathering in her eyes and knew there of no way to stop them from falling.

  “It is the only way for him now, little sister. He must regain his honor and fight for your life.” His voice sounded soft, his hands gentle but unyielding on her arms.

  Joie looked up at Micah and saw only compassion in his dark brown eyes. “I’m going to lose him, aren’t I?”

  “Slade is strong. He may win.” Micah’s steady gaze never left her face and she knew he didn’t lie.

  “What if he does? Will he have to come back to lead the Pack?”

  “He has given me his word that he will not lead the Pack again, as I have given him my word to protect you.” Micah ran his fingers under her eyes, wiping her tears away. “Be strong now, Joie. Be strong for him.”

  Joie nodded even as she felt her heart breaking. She turned back to face the circle, ignoring the Pack members closest to her, her eyes remained riveted on one man in the center of the ring.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Slade stood with his hands at his sides. He figured Maggie would be the first to challenge him and wasn’t disappointed when she moved closer to the center of the circle. Three others stood just outside the circle but he paid no attention them. The only way to get through this would be to take the challenges as they came, not to anticipate who would be next.

  Slade lifted his arms above his head then turned completely around, showing everyone he was unarmed. Maggie did the same.

  “Formal challenge requires a fight in animal form. The challenger will shift first.” Maggie spoke loudly, her place as Alpha Bitch giving her the right to state the rules. She glanced around once then met Slade’s eyes.

  “Challenge begins.” She shifted and so did he.

  They circled one another, each waiting for the other to make the first move. The Pack grew silent and still, all eyes trained on the two wolves.

  Maggie lunged and Slade evaded her. She lunged again and this time he met her in the center of the ring. Snarling and growling filled the air as the two wolves attacked one another. Biting and clawing at one another, they both tried to get the upper hand. Maggie got behind him for an instant.

  Slade felt her teeth in his shoulder and retaliated by snapping at her head. He caught her ear between his teeth and bit down hard, tearing through flesh. Maggie yelped and released his shoulder. Slade took the offensive, barreling into her, his greater size forcing her to stumble onto her side.

  He wasted no time clamping his jaws on her neck and tearing at her belly with his back feet, his own growl loud in his ears. He tasted fur, skin and then blood. He felt his claws sinking into the tender skin around her belly. She tried desperately to move out from under him, tried to bite him.

  Slade knew he was stronger, faster, better, and this time he fought for more than himself, he fought for Joie. He clamped tighter on her neck, felt the blood start to spurt, felt it fill his mouth. He curled his lips back and gave his head a massive shake. This time he heard as well as felt her neck snap. Her mouth opened on his foreleg, her body twitched under him once, then again and she stilled.

  Slade shook the bitch hard. She was totally limp in his mouth. He let go of her and backed across the circle, breathing hard, the taste of her blood still in his mouth, the scent of death strong on the air. The fur on his ruff rose as he lowered his head and gave a keening howl. The bitch never moved.

  Slade backed farther away from the dead wolf then began to change. Maggie’s change happened with his. She lay close to the center of the circle, her stomach clawed open, her throat all but torn out, her sightless eyes toward the afternoon sky.

  The Pack remained silent. Two females stepped forward to drag the body to the edge of the circle. Slade caught his breath and stood upright. He turned completely around, facing all of the Pack. Then he saw Joie.

  Micah had untied her hands but stood very close to her. Joie had one hand over her mouth, the other arm around her stomach, her eyes were wide. He saw the revulsion in her face and dropped his own gaze.

  Lost. Though he’d won the fight and Maggie would never be a threat to him or to Joie again, he’d lost. Joie would only be able to see him as a killer now.

  He stared hard at Micah for a moment, willing the other man to remove her from the scene, but neither of them moved. The icy feeling in his chest wouldn’t go away. Death couldn’t possibly be worse than this. He’d thought dishonor was bad but this felt ten times worse.

  A movement to his left caused him to face the center of the circle again. Sli
ce had stepped into the circle. He sneered as he raised his hands over his head. With nothing to lose now, Slade did the same. They both changed to wolf.

  More evenly matched in size and strength, they circled one another warily, each looking for an opening. Slade ignored the persistent pain from Maggie’s bite on his shoulder and concentrated on the wolf in front of him.

  Slice snarled and charged. Slade met him in the center of the circle and they fought in earnest. Biting, tearing, rending one another. Blood began to flow on both sides. Slade had a slight edge in speed and experience.

  A yelp cut through the noise as Slice backed up. He wouldn’t put any weight on his left foreleg. Slade moved toward him and Slice met the charge.

  Joie tried to look away, she’d seen enough when Maggie died. Micah met her eyes once then turned his attention back to the fight. The tension around her felt palpable. Every man and woman in the circle focused on the two wolves trying to tear one another apart.

  Another yelp from the circle, this one deeper than the last. She knew it was Malcolm, knew he’d been hurt. The spot on her neck where he’d marked her ached. She forced herself to look toward the circle again.

  Blood flowed freely from a gash on the top of Malcolm’s head. A flap of skin moved every time he moved his head. Joie felt the bile rise in her throat and swallowed hard. She refused to be sick here. She’d be strong just as she’d promised. Malcolm wouldn’t have any reason to be ashamed of her.

  The two wolves were rolling around now, each trying to gain the upper hand. Finally, finally, Malcolm succeeded in getting to his feet. He clamped down on the back of the other wolf’s neck. Joie cried out softly as the other wolf went limp under him. Malcolm backed off, breathing even harder now and gave that howl again.

  With chills racing up and down her spine, she watched as he transformed back to human again. She’d taken a step toward him when Micah stopped her.

  Joie could see blood on Malcolm’s shoulder, more on his chest and forehead. One thigh was ripped open as well. He waited until the body had been dragged away, again by two females, then moved back to the center of the circle. For a long moment no one moved.

  Suddenly, the man Joie knew as Frank stepped into the circle. Beside her, Micah made a sound of surprise. Malcolm panted as he met Frank’s eyes.

  Frank raised his hands above his head, slowly, and Malcolm did the same. Joie touched Micah’s arm.

  “He can’t fight again. He’s hurt.”

  “He has to fight as long as challengers step forward, Joie.” Micah’s eyes were soft, she knew he wanted to help somehow. Joie turned her face back to the circle, and saw Malcolm looking at her, his face like a piece of stone. She bit her lip as she looked away from him.

  Malcolm and Frank shifted then began to circle one another. Malcolm limped, hardly putting any weight on his front leg and lifting his back leg in obvious discomfort. Joie wasn’t sure she could watch another fight. When the snarling and growling started, she closed her eyes. Micah’s arm came around her shoulders for support and she leaned against him gratefully. The comfort was appreciated, but she missed the feel of Malcolm’s arms.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Slade saw Joie slump against Micah. He knew this would be his last fight. Maggie’s bite troubled him but not as badly as the blood flowing into his eyes and the pain in his back leg.

  He fought hard but knew he was losing, getting weaker. Frank bit right over Maggie’s bite and he yelped. Frank released his shoulder then grabbed him by the back of the neck, pressing his advantage and forcing Slade onto his side.

  When Frank let go, instead of trying to get up, Slade lay on his side for a moment then rolled onto his back. Frank lunged toward his belly. He instinctively flinched but didn’t move otherwise. Frank snarled and lunged again. Slade let his head flop back, closed his eyes and waited for certain death.

  When the attack didn’t come, he opened his eyes. Frank stood over him in human form, breathing hard and bleeding from the cuts and bites Slade had been able to inflict.

  “Do you yield?” Frank’s voice came out more growl than anything else but he understood. Slade rolled onto his stomach and belly-crawled toward Frank. He heard the Pack’s disbelief as they reacted to his submission.

  Frank kicked him hard in the side. Slade accepted the blow without a sound, felt his ribs fracture again and felt his blood soaking into the ground below him. The physical wounds hurt but the pain in his chest was worse.

  Frank moved away from him, into the center of the circle. He made one complete turn, accepting the acknowledgement of the Pack then walked out of the circle. One by one the Pack walked through the circle around Slade’s motionless body. They left him there in the dirt as they went into the house. Some stayed behind to remove Maggie’s and Slice’s bodies then they too went into the house. An eerie silence descended on the grounds.

  When the last Pack member had gone inside the house, Micah let go of Joie. She ran straight to Malcolm, falling to her knees in the dirt beside him. Micah moved up beside her, then tried to lift her away from Slade’s body.

  “No! He’s still alive. Please, please help me.” Joie touched his head and Slade opened his eyes. He stared at her for a moment then flicked his tongue out to taste her one more time.

  Micah knelt beside him. “You kept your word, Slade. I’ll keep mine. Your mate and child will be safe.”

  Slade raised his head slowly and nodded then let his head fall back to the ground. He understood what Micah said though he had no strength at the moment.

  What he’d told Joie was true, he was thinking as a human in wolf form. Knowing his injuries were severe, he wanted to give in this time to his animal instinct, wanted to crawl away somewhere to die in peace. Joie would never accept him now, now that she knew the truth about what he was, what he could do.

  Micah pulled Joie away from the circle and toward the truck. She struggled, trying to get back to Malcolm, watching in horror as he dragged himself to his feet. He wobbled and fell, striking his jaw on the ground before getting shakily back up.

  “Malcolm!” she called out to him, frantic for some sign from him. He turned his head to look at her, his face covered in blood, his beautiful eyes dulled with pain. Without a sound the massive wolf limped out of the circle and into the wooded area behind the compound.

  “Joie, listen to me.” Micah set her on her feet but kept his hands on her shoulders. “Let him go.”

  “No! You don’t understand. I love him. I need him with me. Please, please don’t let him be alone.” Joie held onto his arm, her eyes brimming over with the tears she’d held back until now. “Please.”

  Micah stared at her for a long moment then sighed. “He won’t thank you for this.”

  “I don’t care. Please, please let me help him.”

  He nodded then pulled his jeans and boots on. Joie followed as he led the way into the woods. He stopped from time to time, scenting the air around them. She didn’t know where they were going but she trusted him to guide her. Micah moved swiftly and she was amazed that they’d gone as far into the woods as they had.

  He stopped suddenly and she ran full tilt into his back. Micah put one hand back to steady her then took a step to the side. She peered around him then saw the gray form lying lifeless just to the side of the path.

  “Malcolm, no!” Joie cried out as she got close enough to see him. Once again, she was faced with an unconscious badly injured wolf. She looked up at the man who had led her here.

  “Help him. Help us.” Tears streamed down her face as her hand clutched the bloodied, matted fur.

  Micah gently scooped Malcolm up into his arms then nodded for Joie to lead the way back to his truck. She did, but not without turning every few steps to make sure he followed. Malcolm hung totally limp in Micah’s arms, not even groaning.

  They reached the truck and Micah stopped at the back. “Open the tailgate.”

  Joie hurried to do as he’d asked then at his instruction, pulled a wool blanket o
ut of the toolbox welded to the back of the cab. She spread the blanket out and Micah lay Malcolm down on it.

  Joie got into the truck, trying to decide where to start. Micah jumped in beside her then put his hands over Malcolm’s body.

  “Don’t touch him. Let me try this.” Micah spoke softly, his eyes focused on Malcolm. Joie watched him carefully. Where Malcolm’s eyes glowed from time to time, Micah’s entire body seemed to glow as he held his hands palm down over Malcolm. His skin took on a golden hue as he chanted softly in a language she couldn’t understand.

  Malcolm’s body shimmered and Joie moved out of the way as his human form took hold. Micah held his position until Malcolm was well and truly human then he slumped slightly.

  “He’s lost a lot of blood.”

  “Thank you, Micah.” Joie touched Malcolm’s bruised and battered face then lifted her gaze to Micah’s. “Why haven’t these injuries healed like his others did? The last time he fought Maggie his wounds were almost completely gone after he changed from wolf to human a couple of times.”

  “The short answer to your question is that in a challenge, the rules change for us. When it is a formal challenge the injuries remain until you’re defeated or you win. Because he accepted defeat, because he submitted, his injuries will take longer to heal. I know a place we can take him, a doctor who knows about our kind.”

  “No. I want to take him home. Tante and I will take care of him.”

  “He won’t thank you for this, Joie.”

  “You said that before. Why? Why wouldn’t he be grateful?”

  “You witnessed his defeat, his loss of honor. For a man like Slade, that’s worse than anything else in his life.”

  “I don’t care. He hasn’t lost anything in my eyes. He’s still the man I love, the father of my child. He’s alive and I want to take him home. Will you help me?” Joie raised her chin, meeting Micah’s eyes without blinking.