“He worried about you more than you can know,” Mattox murmured. “He had to protect himself by hating you. He had to wish you were dead so he wouldn't have to worry about you dying the way his mother did.”
Rex tried to blink his tears away, but they overflowed and streaked down his cheeks. “I know, son. I know. I know I should have done a million things differently. I should have held onto you and never let you go instead of running away. I should have made you and your sisters my life to take your mother's place. I threw my life away, and I threw you away, but I never stopped loving you. I love you, son. I love you like you can't believe.”
He put out his hands to his son, but Azer recoiled a step to get away from him. His voice cracked with emotion, and he wheedled like a little boy. “How could you do this to us—to me? How could you leave me like this? Don't you know how much I needed you? Losing Mama was bad enough, but then I lost you, too. I lost everything when you left. You're supposed to be my Alpha. You were supposed to teach me how to lead this family. Instead you abandoned me. I had to do everything myself. I had to ask Lyric for help to keep this place afloat.”
“I know, son,” Rex moaned. “I know, and I'm sorry. Let me try to make it up to you. Let me be there for you now. You've got a strong Alpha now, and he's gonna take care of you from now on.”
“I don't want him,” Azer blurted out. “I want you.”
Rex rested both hands on Azer's shoulders. “I'm here, son. I'm right here.”
He gave Azer's shoulders one soft tug, and the walls came crumbling down. Azer collapsed into his arms. Rex surrounded his son in a tight embrace, and Azer buried his face in his father's neck. Rex clasped his head in one hand and breathed into his hair. “It's all right now, son. Everything's gonna be all right.”
Mattox stood back and watched in silence until the two men pushed each other back and wiped their tears. If he never did anything else for this family, he could be proud of this moment. Rex was right. Everything would be all right between them now. They could talk to each other. Azer wouldn't wish Rex dead anymore. They could come back together after ten years apart.
Rex patted Azer on the shoulder and steered him toward Mattox. “You go on ahead with your work. I'm trusting you with my boy, Mattox. I'm trusting you with my most precious treasure.”
Mattox nodded and stepped off the porch. “You can trust me, sir. Azer is safe with me.”
Mattox threw his arm around Azer's shoulders, and the two strode off to the barn. Azer cast one glance over his shoulder before they went inside. As soon as the porch passed out of sight, Azer shook Mattox's arm off. He rounded on Mattox with his teeth clenched. “You can stop now.”
Mattox's eyes flew open. “What do you mean?”
“You can cut out the whole benevolent leader act,” Azer snarled. “You put on a good show for my father, and I guess you've got Lyric snowed into thinking you're the greatest thing on the planet, but you don't fool me. So, you're Alpha around here now. My father laid his mantle on you, though I can't figure out why. You won't get any trouble from me. I know you're stronger than I am by a country mile. I won't try to challenge you, but you don't have to pretend to be my best friend, either.”
Mattox squared his shoulders. “It's not an act, Azer. I promised your father I would look after you, and that's what I'm gonna do. I brought you out here to bring you in on my selective breeding program. If we work together, we can both get rich beyond our wildest dreams, but we can't do it alone. Neither of us can improve our herds without the other.”
Azer furrowed his brow. “What are you talking about?”
“You've got your herd, Azer, and I've got mine. Each herd on its own can be profitable and successful, but if we combine them, they can both be better and far, far more profitable.”
Azer didn't budge. He pulled his head down between his shoulders. “I don't believe you. You're trying to trick me into helping you at my own expense.”
Mattox waved him toward the tack room. “Come here. I want to show you something.”
Azer watched him walk away, but he didn't follow. Mattox disappeared into the tack room while Azer stayed fixed to the spot. After a while, though, Mattox didn't reappear and curiosity got the better of Azer. He inched forward until he could see Mattox in the tack room. He leaned over a hay bale and flipped the pages of an old book.
Mattox smiled up at him. “Your father recorded all his breeding activity in this book. That's how I found out those cows belonged to an old pedigree you and Riskin don't use anymore. I want to combine this old pedigree with the best genetics of your current herd.”
Azer took another step forward, but he still didn't enter the tack room. “Why didn't you tell me and Riskin about this before?”
“You wouldn't have listened to me if I had. You were too wrapped up in your own projects, and you hated me too much to think I could have a decent idea about this ranch. None of that matters now, because I've got a plan for this place that will make it a lot more successful. Take a look at this. These are budget projections for the next five years on my new breeding program. I plan to take out a loan from the bank to finance it all.”
Azer couldn't see the budget forecast from his place outside the tack room door. He had to step inside to see. “If you think you're going to mortgage the ranch to float your wacky experiment, you can forget it. We've kept this ranch debt free for forty years, and we're gonna keep it that way.”
“I don't need to mortgage the ranch. I can mortgage those cattle you sold me yesterday. You and your family and your herd will get better and bigger and stronger and more profitable. You have nothing to lose. I carry all the risk.”
Azer stared down at the pages in front of him. “If this is true, you'll carry all the repayment cost, too. Why would you do that?”
Mattox took the papers out of his hand. He turned Azer's shoulders to face him. “I'm marrying your sister, Azer. I'm taking over as Alpha of this tribe. That makes the well-being of your whole family my responsibility. I'm doing this to make the Mackenzie tribe as strong and profitable as possible. My wife is Mackenzie, and my children and grandchildren will all be Mackenzie. We're family, Azer. Your father entrusted you and Lyric and Melody and this whole tribe to me. I take that responsibility very seriously.”
Azer blinked at him. “You can't do this, man. You can't throw away everything to put money in our pockets. It's not right.”
Mattox broke into a grin. “Listen to me, Azer. Brody is Alpha of the Farrell tribe now. I'm here, and I'm marrying Lyric. Mackenzie is my tribe now, too. We're one blood, you and me. My money is your money. My success is your success. I'm taking your father's place as head of this family, and I will guard that trust with my life. You can trust me. I won't let you down the way he did.”
Azer swayed on unsteady legs. “I can't believe that. I'm sorry. I know you think it's true, but after the way my father ran out on us, I can't trust you. I can't trust anybody to be the Alpha we need.”
Mattox bent over his papers again. “I understand that. That's why I brought you here. I'm gonna show you exactly what I'm doing so you understand everything. I need a strong right-hand. If anything happens to me, I want you to understand enough to take over.”
Azer started back. “What? Me?”
“Who else? The ranch is yours by right. I'm only taking over because I'm marrying Lyric. Maybe someday you'll get married and then you'll be able to take over. We don't know what the future holds. That's why I want you to learn this stuff. In a way, we'll be learning it together, and I can't do anything without your help. I need you to work your herd while I work mine. We'll work them together to make one giant super-herd.”
Azer gasped. “You're serious! You're flamin' serious!”
Mattox clapped him on the shoulder. “I was never more serious about anything in my life. Now, come on, and knuckle down. We've got a lot of work to do.”
Chapter 18
When Mattox came out of the barn, he rested his elbow on Azer's
shoulder again. “So that's the plan. Can you get on board with that?”
“You bet! I can't wait to get it all started.”
Mattox gazed across the blistering yard toward the house. Rex sat in a rocking chair on the porch. Lyric came out of the house just then. She wiped her hands on her apron. “It's lunch time. We'll start the round-up after we get something to eat.”
Azer paused on the threshold to glance at him. “Thanks for taking the time to explain it all to me. You didn't have to do that.”
Mattox's expression softened. “I don't know how many times I have to tell you, Azer. You're part of this, and I'm not doing it without you.”
Azer grinned. “That's what I mean. This means a lot to you, and you took the time explain it well enough that now it means a lot to me. Papa was right. You're the best man to lead this tribe. I understand that now.”
Mattox gave him another clap on the shoulder. “You go on up to the house. I'll be right behind you.”
“Aren't you coming up for lunch?”
“I'm coming. There's just something I've got to do first.”
“Let me help you, whatever it is.”
Mattox shook his head. His eyes squinted into the blazing sun outside. “Sorry, man. I appreciate the offer, but I've got to do this on my own.”
Azer strode into the bright light, but Mattox hung back. Every sense prickled with alarm. The bear in his soul picked up Riskin's scent in the barn the moment he first walked through the door. Mattox kept Azer busy all morning. He kept his so busy Azer never mentioned Riskin once, but Mattox couldn't stop thinking about him.
Riskin didn't show his face, but Mattox felt him lingering not far away. Danger kept him on his toes, even while he showed Azer a casual face. Riskin was watching him and laying for a fight.
Heat waves shimmered across the scene and gave it a watery, dreamy appearance. Lyric gazed across the fields and yards to the corral where Mattox's cattle meandered around. A smile touched her lips, and her eyes sparkled. Sadness no longer shaded her eyes.
His heart exploded with love, not only for Lyric, but for the whole Mackenzie tribe. Green fields of grass and trees waved in the breeze. Birds keened in the sky above, and the black forests of Bruins' Peak hovered in the distance. He was home.
In that moment, he understood everything. This was it. Mattox caught Riskin's scent one more time. Mattox could almost put out his hand to touch him.
Riskin would choose this moment to challenge him. The whole scene played out in front of his eyes. He saw himself step out of the barn into the open. Lyric smiled and waved to him with more love and happiness in her eyes than ever. Riskin came out of the barn to block his path.
Mattox followed every movement he and Riskin made. He saw his own arms slice through the air and his fists land on Riskin's body. Two bears roared and slashed each other with their teeth. They batted each other with their claws, and Riskin fell.
Mattox loomed over him, gigantic and fuming, until Riskin ran away in defeat. Peace and tranquility descended over Mackenzie country. Lyric dashed off the porch and threw herself into Mattox's arms. They climbed the steps together, and he and Lyric and Rex and Azer went home together.
He hesitated, but not from fear or hatred. Nothing could spoil this moment's beauty. He savored it as long as it lasted. Once he got past Riskin, nothing could drive him away from this place for the rest of his life. His family, his heart, his whole future waited for him on that porch. All he had to do was get there.
At last, he released a long breath. He took one step out of the barn. The sun hit him full in the face and made him squint. He fought to keep his eyes open against the glare. He had to keep every sense alert right now. The sun burned his forehead and dried the sweat on his neck.
At that moment, a shadow lanced across his path. A head and two arms attached to a broad chest. Mattox didn't have to turn around. It was Riskin.
Dead silence blocked out every other sound. Nothing but Mattox's pulse pounding in his veins disturbed the moment. Riskin stepped into the open, and Mattox turned around to face him.
The two Bruins came face to face in matched hostility. Mattox dwelt in Riskin's smoldering eyes. He couldn't hate this man. Riskin played a part in the destiny of Bruins' Peak. He couldn't do anything else. He had to challenge Mattox, and he couldn't do anything but lose.
Out of nowhere, Mattox heard Azer's voice. “There you are, Riskin. We were wondering what happened to you. Hey, you should see Mattox's plans to breed the herds. I still can't believe it. When you see it, you'll understand why he's got to be our new Alpha. Come on and get some lunch, and then we can show you. You're gonna love it.”
He babbled on until Mattox blinked. He laid a hand on Azer's shoulder and gave it a gentle push. “Go back up on the porch, Azer, and don't come down until I say.”
Azer's head shot up. “What?” He looked back and forth between the two men facing off. “Oh. Okay.”
Tension racked Mattox's body, but it held him calm. He didn't shake or fidget. He only stared into the depths of Riskin's soul. He understood every thought and emotion tumbling in the young man's heart. Mattox cared so much for him, but he had no choice but to play out his own destiny. He was Alpha. This man challenged him, bear to bear and man to man. He couldn't let that challenge pass without answering it.
This was the moment. Which one of them would make the first move? Riskin's lips twitched. He searched Mattox's face with the same fiery intensity. His shoulders heaved with tightening muscles. He braced himself to land the first blow.
That blow never came. Mattox brought his knee up hard between Riskin's legs and smashed it with all his might into Riskin's groin. Riskin doubled over with a tortured grunt.
The next minute, black fury took the place of the pain. He roared his challenge at Mattox and launched himself up with both arms flying. He slammed both fists upward under Mattox's chin and sent him careening back. In a flash, he rocketed toward him and pummeled him with his fists.
Mattox took a moment to recover. By that time, Riskin attacked him with such ferocious energy he almost won the day. He gave Mattox no time to think. He punched him in rapid fire succession in the gut and face. He smashed Mattox's nose back into his face and sent lights bursting through his brain.
Mattox stumbled back in confusion, and Riskin let him go. In that fraction of a second, Riskin reared back. His chest exploded out of itself, and his shoulders blew up to enormous masses of pulsating muscle. His mouth gaped wide, and the thunderous roar shivered the Homestead to its roots.
Riskin raked the sky with his fingernails, and the next minute, a massive bear took his place. Shaggy brown fur sprouted from his skin, and pointed fangs glistened between his powerful jaws.
The sound of his guttural bellow worked on Mattox's brain the way no punch ever could. The hidden Bruin soul in his chest woke to that sound. He couldn't leave that call unanswered.
The tremor rocking through him knocked him off his feet. He hit the ground and rolled backward, but his mind ceased to function as a man. He was Bruin, and he had to fight this battle Bruin to Bruin.
The pain and confusion of Riskin punching him submerged under thick furred skin. His skull protected him from any thought of defeat. He would conquer. He couldn't do anything else.
He rolled onto his stomach, and when he planted all four limbs on the ground to push himself up, his claws dug into the hard-packed dirt. His chest and back and neck bristled with power and unstoppable muscle to dwarf even his giant frame.
The moment he got his legs under him, he flew at Riskin with claws and fur flying. He hit Riskin in mid-air and barreled him back faster than he came on in the first place. He threw all his great weight on Riskin and doubled his hind legs under him to claw Riskin to shreds.
Riskin screamed, but Mattox mangled his face and cheeks and neck with his jaws so Riskin couldn't fight back. Riskin tried to kick him off, but Mattox stood on Riskin's belly and dug in his claws to tear him limb from limb.
> Riskin managed to twist sideways, and Mattox's four feet hit the ground. Riskin contorted under him and scrambled free before Mattox could hold him still. Riskin darted a few steps away and whirled on close one more time.
The whole scene played out exactly the way Mattox foresaw. He relived the moment in surreal clarity. Destiny danced him around Riskin on puppet strings. It moved his body to slash at Riskin and bellow at him with that deep Bruin roar. He collapsed into the gravitational force pulling him toward Fate's ultimate conclusion.
Not even Riskin's counterattack could stop that now. Riskin circled on his back foot to launch himself under Mattox's chin. Mattox bent low, but he stood taller than Riskin by inches. Riskin took advantage of Mattox's size to swoop in and dive upwards at Mattox's neck.
Before Mattox could recover, Riskin closed his jaws around Mattox neck. The air cut off in Mattox's throat. He went wild with thrashing and flailing, but he couldn't shake Riskin off.
Panic robbed him off his ability to think. He couldn't get enough air to keep himself alive. In one last ditch effort to free himself, he scratched his claws along Riskin's back. His razor-sharp talons combed through Riskin's fur and caught in his flesh.
Riskin grunted in agony, but he didn't slacken his hold an inch. He clamped down hard, and Mattox stopped breathing. Mattox's mind spun to come up with something, anything, to get that terrible tightness off his neck. He couldn't go down like this. He had to do something.
His vision swam. He caught sight of Azer, Lyric, and Rex on the porch. They watched the fight from a great distance away. Whoever won this challenge would rule, while the other bled to death in the dust.
Mattox felt his life slipping away from him. Riskin would choke him to death, and that would be that. The strength sapped from his enormous body until he couldn't lift his paw.
Bruins' Peak Bears Box Set (Volume I) Page 66