by Dawn Wilder
Fuck.
I looked up to see Manny casually walking toward me, a smirk on his face that could only mean bad things for me.
Chapter 7
Reina
I watched as Griff hurtled through the air, his flight stopped by a sturdy tree that shook under the impact of his body.
Oh, God.
I moved through the crowd toward him.
Fuck this. That was a clear cheat.
There was no way I had it in me to stand by and watch him be taken apart.
I reached the sniveling brown-noser that had thrown the rock.
He was smallish.
Tapping him on the shoulder, I waited for him to turn around with a questioning look on his face.
“Mind if I borrow you?”
His eyes widened in recognition right before I sunk my whole weight into the right hook.
Dazed, he was easy enough to pick up now.
Just looking to even the odds.
Picking him up over my head, I strained as I aimed.
And flung him hard right at Manny's head.
I watched as he went flying in a tumble of arms and legs.
Manny went down with a surprised yell.
Griffith
I blinked as I watched a body hurtle into Manny.
Following the man's trajectory backwards, I locked eyes with Reina. She shrugged.
That startled a chuckle out of me.
Which immediately made me wince as my ribs protested.
I used the tree to force myself to my feet. Lying there was a death sentence. Though at least Manny looked a little worse for wear due to the human torpedo that had been launched at him.
I knew I'd be replaying that moment over and over again in my head.
But I'd have to make sure I survived this so I could kiss Reina silly.
Taking shallow breaths, I put the pain aside and focused on Manny.
Thanks to Reina, I was on my feet and moving by the time Manny had thrown the guy off and gotten to his feet.
If I was that idiot, I'd run for cover. Tonight was definitely not his night.
Alright, new plan. Go in hard. I didn't have it left in me to wait while Manny got tired out.
Claws out, I attacked.
He blocked my first few blows, but he couldn't quite keep up with my speed and I was able to get a solid blow in.
But I didn't stop there.
I needed to capitalize, not give him a chance to recover.
I ignored the flashing pain in my ribs as I aimed for his throat and groin, but took shots in between where ever I could.
He caught my wrist in a vise-like grip and hammered a blow into my already aching ribs.
The pain was white hot, rolling through me in a nauseating wave.
Fighting through it, I went for the family jewels, which he'd left wide open.
With a pained exhalation, he let go of me and I stumbled back, cradling my injured side.
Manny was covered in his own blood, the slices I'd gotten in bleeding him faster because of his elevated heart rate.
This was it. I needed to end it before I passed out from the pain.
Moving forward, I clenched his hair in my hand, the back of his head easily accessible from his bent over position.
I sliced through the side of his neck just as he dug his claws into my thigh and ripped them out with a chunk of me.
I pushed back, slapping a hand over the hole he'd made.
Shit.
But I'd gotten him.
He straightened with a hand over his neck, taking a few steps toward me.
His eyes looked surprised as he slowly fell to his knees, the blood gushing out of him.
He fell to his side, his mouth opening to take in a shallow breath even as his eyes slowly dulled.
Nobody moved as he died in front of us.
Well, nobody but Reina.
“Move your hand,” she barked out, a strip of cloth in her hand.
I moved my hand.
She cursed as the wound on my thigh kept bleeding freely. He'd missed the artery or I would have already joined him on the ground.
But I might still meet him down there for a cuddle session judging by the way my body was starting to sway.
Reina tied the bandage tightly over my thigh before wrapping my arm around her shoulders and guiding me through the crowd.
“Hey! You can't take him- that's our new Alpha!”
Reina snarled at the speaker.
“He's my mate first. And he needs medical attention.”
The crowd parted quickly as a petite, older women with a snow white short mop of hair strode forward in a competent manner.
I let my head fall down, the effort of keeping it up too much for me at the moment.
That's what he said.
Ha ha.
Man, I was really out of it.
“I'm Dr. Ingram. I can treat him.”
Reina paused, her grip on my hip almost painful.
“Fine. But if you try anything, I have no problem ripping you apart. Slowly. Got it?” she growled, the deep, menacing rumble not one I'd heard from her before.
Reina was threatening an old lady? On my behalf?
How sweet.
At least my head was ducked so nobody could see the ridiculous smile I knew I had plastered on my face.
That was when my body decided unconsciousness was the route to take.
Good call body.
Reina
I watched Dr. Ingram with a narrow eyed stare as she worked.
Griffith had broken ribs, a concussion, various cuts and bruises, and a chunk missing from his thigh that was apparently only a hair away from where it would have killed him.
My heart squeezed painfully as I thought about that.
“No need to growl at me, young woman. Your mate will be just fine in a few days, thanks to me. You're welcome.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly, moving in closer so I could touch Griff's hand as it lay limply on the white bed sheet.
“He needs to rest. I'll be in to check on him in a short while.” She gave me a stern look. “No shenanigans.”
Before I could reply, she shut the door firmly behind her.
What did she think I was going to do? Molest his unconscious body?
I pulled up a chair and sat down next to the bed, letting my head fall down to rest on our entwined hands.
He was going to be OK.
I let that mantra sink into me as I closed my eyes.
He was going to be OK.
Griffith
I opened my eyes.
And then immediately wished I hadn't.
Everything hurt.
Fuck, breathing hurt.
I switched over to shallow breaths.
Swallowing when I got the pain under control, I looked over to my left.
Reina's hand was holding mine tightly, her head resting on the bed. Her dark hair covered the side of her face.
She was fast asleep.
Something inside me relaxed a fraction at having her next to me, safe.
Manny was dead. I remembered that much clearly.
But that also meant I was an Alpha now.
Fuck.
Reina stirred.
I must have said that out loud.
She raised her head, her bleary eyes sharpening quickly as she saw that I was awake.
The relief in them was clear.
“How are you feeling?” she asked, putting her hand lightly on my chest.
Which made me realize I was completely naked under this sheet. And that I had no idea where I was.
“Like I got pounded on by a psychopath. Where are we?”
“Dr. Ingram's clinic. She's their pack doctor.” She paused for a moment. “I guess she's your pack doctor.”
“Shit. I did not think this through.”
She grinned.
“Come on. It's great. People never leave you alone. You're ultimately responsible for every problem no matter how big or sma
ll. Some people will always hate you, no matter how hard you try. Oh, and don't forget the threat of death every time someone thinks they can take you and want your job.”
“Ha ha. I could just forfeit it and let someone else have the headache.”
Sounded good to me.
She sobered a little.
“Real deal? This is the best scenario in terms of logistics. We can have an alliance, we don't need the buffer zone, and we can more than double resources. It's kind of a win win.”
“Doesn't feel like it to me,” I grumbled.
“Plus, if you forfeit, what if one of those maniacs ends up in power? We might be worse off than when Manny was in charge.”
Fuck.
She had a point.
But how was I supposed to be an Alpha? Hell, I hadn't even been part of a pack for years.
The only reason I had joined again was for Reina. And I'd taken the position as Second for that same reason.
I could handle cracking some skulls and getting shit done for her.
But being in charge of everything?
“I think I'm breaking out in hives.”
“Don't wimp out now. You just took out the boogeyman. You can do this. I'll help you.”
I had a thought.
“Why don't we just merge the packs? You can take charge.”
Ha! Brilliant plan.
“But you're the one who got rid of Manny. Even if some don't like you, you have a legitimate claim. Even those who aren't thrilled about an outsider taking over have to admit that. And no, I'm not fighting you and letting you throw it. It would be too obvious.”
I closed my mouth.
How did she do that?
“Trust me.” She leaned in and kissed me gently. “You're going to be great. We'll help each other.”
“What about where we live? I am not giving up living with you.”
That was non-negotiable.
“Well...we can live in the buffer. Or ex-buffer. Between our two territories.”
I mulled that over.
“Fine. But who's going to be your Second?”
“I'm not completely sure yet. But I was thinking about Bar. She's more than proved herself. She's quick, smart, a good fighter. And people underestimate her.”
Not a bad choice.
“I'm taking Terrence then. He's intimidating and I know I can trust him. I'm going to need that while I clean house here.”
There was a rot in this pack that had to be burned out thoroughly.
Reina thought it over, her thumb rubbing my hand absently.
“Fine. If he wants to go, fine.” She sighed. “I'm going to have to figure out who to replace him with.”
I let my head drop down on the pillow again with a heavy sigh.
“What?”
“I just realized that vacation I was dreaming about isn't going to happen. Not for a good, long while.”
Damn it.
“True. A vacation isn't really a good idea right now.” She kissed me lightly, skimming her hand up my arm. “But I bet we could think of something to do at home.” Her smile was wicked, her eyes hot.
I felt my cock stir in interest.
“Come here.”
She laughed, shaking her head.
“No shenanigans. Doctor's orders.”
“Really? Can't an invalid get some sympathy here?”
She rolled his eyes.
“This invalid needs some rest before he does anything else.”
Fine. Probably for the best anyway.
Everything hurt.
I wanted to be more mobile when I got my hands on her again.
She leaned over and kissed me again, this time slower, her tongue sleek and soft as it entered my mouth.
When she broke the kiss and pulled back a little, we were both breathing noticeably harder.
“Rest up. I have plans for your body.”
Hot. Damn.
My body hurt, I had more responsibilities than I'd ever wanted, and I couldn't do anything about my hard on at the moment.
But fuck.
I had Reina.
Life was good.
If you enjoyed this story, you'll probably like Lenora's Mate as well. Check it out!
*****
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