by Reese Morgan
Her distress heightened the longer the fight endured. Surely her pack members wouldn’t stand by and watch Nathan die, would they? Gradually, the more she thought about it, the more doubt began to overshadow her hope. The fight for Alpha was another stupid tradition werewolves practiced. They would feel obligated to stand back and respect it.
Cole, especially, seemed to honor the old traditions.
Whatever was transpiring inside the circle, Fergus’ posture began to droop and his expression darkened and aged. He continued to look away from the sounds of bones breaking and skin being pummeled. A sweet, metallic aroma of blood fragranced the air, and from the quick peeks she was able to steal, she saw Nathan struggling just to stay on his feet.
Apparently, Alphas thought it was honorable to die rather than relinquish their position, but Nathan looked rather shameful in her eyes. If these were his last moments, they were hardly honorable.
“Do you agree with this, Fergus?” Hayden asked him outright. “If someone could save your brother, while inadvertently wounding his pride, would you take that chance?”
“Hayden…” Fergus trailed off with a pained whisper. “He would hate you forever.”
She lifted her jaw as a winded and pained gasp sounded from inside the circle. Another wave of excited murmurs swept across the crowd. “That wasn’t my question,” she said coolly.
Hesitation sagged Fergus’ shoulders, but he eventually nodded. “I would take that chance, yes. But you can’t do anything, Hayden. Tobias will attack you, the other werewolves will scorn you, and Nathan will hate you—”
“He’ll hate me forever, yes, you’ve already said that. I will wound his manly pride and insult all the other men in the vicinity.” Hayden stepped into the throng of werewolves. “Somehow, that doesn’t seem too daunting, more of an accomplishment, really.”
While she understood, though grudgingly, why some Alphas were too proud to give up their pack, she could not stand by and watch Nathan die.
Fergus would be heartbroken, as would the other members of the pack. They were already suffering enough. Hayden refused to see them spiral further into destruction. Someday, maybe, they would thank her.
With her elbows flying in places no man wanted them to venture, Hayden found her way to the front of the crowd. Just at that moment, Nathan was thrown to the ground, his body jerking with the force of the hit. Blood fountained the air when a heel stomped onto Nathan’s face, breaking his nose and probably doing internal damage.
Hayden didn’t see any weapons. Adolf never mentioned killing a werewolf with brute force. She only imagined that if it were possible, it would be extremely gruesome and grisly, just like the time Cole chewed through a rogue’s neck.
Nathan gasped greedily, sucking oxygen as if his life depended on it. He struggled to get up and defend himself, but the other male was on him like glue. She twitched, wondering when she should intervene and how to intervene.
Running into the brawl with her fists swinging and executing fancy moves Adolf taught her would be ridiculous. She might be able to hold her own for a few seconds, if that, but she wanted a different angle. If she were protecting Nathan, she wanted everyone to know that was her intentions, not simply jumping into the fray for the hell of it.
Her wolf twitched, pleading to come out, but Hayden pushed her away. She needed to do this in her human skin.
The other man, Tobias, continued his assault with unforgiving power and speed. Alternating between his fists, feet, and elbows, he had Nathan a bleeding mess on the ground. She swallowed her bile and looked away. It was best to act when Nathan could no longer defend himself.
Across the circle, Cole stood, watching the scene emotionlessly, as if Nathan was of no consequence to him. His eyes suddenly unfocused on the pair of fighters and zeroed in on Hayden. For a moment, he stared at her, as if not quite realizing what he was seeing.
His disorientation didn’t last long, for his whole face altered into a stern, forbidding expression.
A single shake of his head told Hayden that he knew exactly what she was planning and he did not approve. Rolling his shoulders like a predator would do when roused, he began stalking the perimeter of the circle towards her, not running, but not using a leisure pace either.
In the center of the circle, Tobias delivered a powerful blow to Nathan’s jaw, forcing the blond werewolf to the ground, motionless.
As soon as her ex-pack mate hit the ground, Hayden sprinted fearlessly into the circle and dived on top of him. Warm blood instantly soaked her clothes as she desperately sheltered his head and chest from any forthcoming blows. Stiffening, she waited for angry fists to rain down upon her. Using her arms as defense, she crossed them over her head.
If she couldn’t save the newborn rogues from the Hunters, she could at least try to save Nathan.
A terse silence spread across the crowd before shouts of anger, surprise, and disbelief erupted. Hayden didn’t pay them any heed. Nathan’s eyes fluttered open weakly and focused on her.
“No,” he whispered hoarsely, as if he’d woken up to his own personal hell.
“Yes,” Hayden growled back.
Fingers seized her neck, and with ridiculous ease, lifted her cleanly off Nathan. In hopes of staying anchored to her ex-pack mate, Hayden’s nails hooked into his shirt. Unfortunately, the man above her separated her completely with only a single tug. Her claws tore Nathan’s shirt, revealing bloody and raw welts that were struggling to heal.
“What do we have here?”
A single hand around her throat held her aloft, bringing her eye level with an unfamiliar face. Small, silvery scars marred his face and a scruffy beard hid most of his jaw. His hair was tawny in color, looking as if it could be blond one day and brown the next.
The most intriguing characteristic were the eyes that mirrored hers. Wolfish amber peered at her with scorn and a great deal of bitter amusement.
“Is this your bitch, Cole?” Although he never removed his eyes from her face, he had detected Cole’s slow, stealthy advance. “This one has a lot of spirit.” His bloodstained hand patted her cheek in greedy delight.
“Hayden.”
Tobias blinked languidly. “Hmm?”
She scowled at him, keeping his intense, wild stare. “My name is Hayden.” Trying not to dwell over the fact that the blood on her face belonged to Nathan, she pressed on. “Due to Nathanial’s incompetence, I will speak for him. He voluntarily gives up his position as Alpha.”
“Does he now?”
“Yes.” From the corner of her eye, she noticed the crowd beginning to dissipate, a few werewolves shaking their heads in disappointment and repugnance.
Tobias considered her before leaning forward, his hot, rancid breath puffing in her ear. “It’s against tradition to withdraw once the terms are set. But I’ll make an exception just this once if we can reach an agreement.”
Having enough sense to know where this was going, Hayden prepared herself and raised an unimpressed eyebrow. Though the pressure around her throat was constricting, it didn’t prevent her from speaking clearly. “I’m listening.”
“Good girl,” he praised. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had the companionship every man needs. I’m looking for someone to warm my bed at night, someone who isn’t intimidated of a little rough tussling. You look like you can handle that just fine—”
Just before Hayden drew back her foot to kick his groin, Cole lowered his arm with lightning-quick reflexes. His solid forearm crashed against Tobias’ extended arm, causing something to crack in the other man’s elbow. The amber-eyed man dropped Hayden in order to block Cole’s second attack.
Hayden landed in a crouch and hovered over an unconscious Nathan. There was something especially fierce on Cole’s face as he assaulted Tobias with attacks that made his sparring with Blake seem like child’s play.
His punches were quick and abrupt. Paying special attention to the arm he’d wounded earlier, Cole relentlessly found it with his fist when Tobi
as proved too slow to block it. With each additional hit, the arm began to redden and swollen, while odd extrusions, most likely fragmented bones, awkwardly stretched the skin.
Tobias held his own, just as the others claimed he would. But his dominant arm had been weakened early and he was struggling to gain the upper hand. A strangled grunt escaped the man’s lips as Cole caught his wounded arm in a two-handed grip. The black-haired Alpha then twisted it around entirely, effectively dislocating the man’s shoulder and doing more damage to the already-wounded elbow.
After twisting the arm around the man’s back, Cole put Tobias in a headlock, his thick forearm pressing threateningly against the other man’s throat. One look at Cole’s large biceps and triceps had Hayden wondering if it was possible to tear off a werewolf’s head.
Cole leaned forward and bared his teeth next to Tobias’ ear. “She’s mine.”
Flushing head to toe at the possessiveness, Hayden wondered if she was more flattered or insulted. She decided she’d stick with the latter.
Tobias frowned morosely before huffing in amusement. “Silly me, I should have known only a Slayter can claim a creature as delicious as that.” He winked at Hayden. “Now that he knows his place, you can take your pack mate with you, Hayden.”
Cole released the other man. With practiced grace, Tobias straightened and adjusted his posture. He scrutinized Cole closely. And just when Hayden thought he’d punch Cole across the face, Tobias smiled roguishly and clasped Cole on the shoulder in a friendly manner.
“Good to see you again, Cole. The last time I saw you, you were but a pup following your big brother around.”
Flabbergasted, Hayden watched as Cole greeted him with just as much civility. It had to be a male thing, she figured. Once they established who the dominant male was, and once Cole proved Hayden was untouchable, they could brush aside any hard feelings and get on splendidly.
They obviously knew each other well. Still, she wondered how Cole could treat him so amicably considering he’d just beat Nathan to a bloody pulp.
“He’ll be furious with you.”
Hayden glanced up at Adolf, who loomed at her shoulder. “I thought you’d be furious with me.” She looked back down at Nathan and brushed aside a lock of blond hair. Since becoming Alpha, he’d begun to grow it out. She decided it suited him.
“It is not my pride being wounded.” Adolf grunted. “I have been an Alpha for many years, but even I don’t agree on all the traditions kept. Though, if I were in his place, I would have made the same decision.”
With his eyes, Adolf found Addie in the crowd and evaluated her wellbeing. Whether Adolf thought the tradition was disagreeable, or was just biased over Addie’s happiness, Hayden was thankful either way. She’d been worried Adolf would be so disgusted with her, that he wouldn’t continue their training.
Before she could properly respond, the rest of the pack approached and Adolf quickly retreated. Fergus kneeled down next to Hayden and nuzzled her cheek affectionately. Addie curled a reassuring hand around her shoulder and nodded her approval.
Blake, displaying a neutral expression, bent down and hauled Nathan to his feet. Fergus was quick to support Nathan’s other side and together, they hobbled off Falco’s—Tobias’s—property.
“I’m so glad he’s back, but I’m afraid he won’t be too happy…” Addie followed the trio of men, keeping a solid hold on Hayden’s shoulder. By now, the majority of the crowd had disbanded, allowing for an easier departure.
“Well, it’ll be like old times then,” Hayden grumbled.
With a quick, backward glance, Hayden noted Cole parting ways with Tobias and following behind them. His expression was hard to read, but Hayden was sure he was angry. In fact, the werewolves who were still assembled looked at her as if she were an abomination.
Apparently, she was back to being the most unpopular female in Albertville. Even if Fergus and Addie, and Adolf by default, appreciated Hayden’s interference, the others wouldn’t have any obligations to think the same.
“I admire you, Hayden.”
The admission took Hayden by surprise. She turned to Addie in question.
Cole’s grandmother smiled. Her blue eyes were far livelier than they had been in a long while. “Even though it frustrates Cole, I think it’s wonderful that you fight for what you believe in, no matter the restrictions or the expectations. It’s a very admirable trait to have.”
“A very dangerous and reckless trait to have.” Cole caught up to them as soon as they crossed into his property. “You are lucky Tobias yielded. He could have easily killed you for your interference.”
“You seemed to get along with him,” Hayden mumbled.
A startled grunt escaped her lips when Cole grabbed her arm and forcibly held her back.
“That does not matter,” he growled. “There is a difference between being courageous and being stupid. You must learn to differentiate between the two if you expect to survive. If Tobias were not a family friend, you would have foolishly flung yourself into harm’s way, not only humiliating Nathan but also putting yourself in danger. I cannot always be there to protect you.”
Dropping her arm, he stalked off, appearing grimmer than he had back at Falco’s property. Hayden watched him go, feeling frustrated and constrained. She could never do right by the pack, by him, by anyone.
“He’s only worried,” Addie tried to sooth. “He cares for you very much.”
Hayden didn’t respond and only followed Cole into the house. She didn’t regret what she’d done. No matter how much Cole reprimanded her, Hayden would do it again if she were given the option.
Of course, a confrontation with Cole was hardly comparable to the insults spewing from Nathan’s lips. Hunched over on a kitchen stool, he endured the alcohol Fergus was trying to pour over his wounds. With his proud shoulders slumped forward and his bright eyes clouded over with unwilling defeat, Hayden thought he resembled a dethroned king who’d been conquered and banished from his own kingdom.
Though Cole’s house had been his home for years, he looked out of place amongst his old pack members. Upon Hayden’s arrival, his turquoise eyes riveted towards her. Once he registered her presence, his pupils dilated and burned with smothering dislike.
She could have easily gone upstairs to avoid the imminent confrontation. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the wall across from him. Whatever he had to say, he could say it now in front of the entire pack. She was Alpha, after all. Alphas did not run up to their bedrooms and sulk. They showed those beneath them who was in charge.
Shrugging off Fergus’ attempt of calming him, Nathan turned fully in Hayden’s direction. His rage only heightened in the face of her blasé indifference. “How could you be so stupid?”
“I don’t know,” she replied honestly. “I’ve been asked that many times before and still don’t know the answer.”
He stood abruptly from his stool, causing the piece of furniture to clatter behind him. “This isn’t a joke!”
“No, maybe not.” She pursed her lips and surveyed him with an air of boredom. “Do you want to know what is funny?” Pausing, she wondered if this was the appropriate route to take, seeing as Nathan’s pride was already damaged. She forged on anyway, knowing this was the only way to reach him. “What’s funny was your pathetic attempt at defending your position as Alpha.”
Silence, so thick in its force, stilled the room and hovered almost tangibly. Everyone stared at her in disbelief, except Cole, who stood in the corner, determined to stay out of it. Apparently, he had enough confidence that Hayden would handle things appropriately.
Nathan took an advancing step forward, and then another. His eyes were bright and far more focused than Hayden had ever seen them before. He was trying to intimidate her by using some of the Alpha mechanisms he’d picked up while leading Falco’s old pack.
Unfortunate for him, Hayden was far more dominant.
She dropped her arms to her sides and pus
hed off from the wall, meeting him halfway. They circled one another, Hayden paying close attention to her surroundings. Before she stopped circling, she made certain Nathan had his back to the table.
“You knew you could never beat Tobias,” she persisted. “You thought you could keep your pride intact by defending your honor until the very end, but it just looked shameful to the rest of us.”
With her body and reflexes honed under Adolf’s careful training, she saw the attack coming before Nathan executed it. Quickly clasping Nathan’s striking fist with both hands, she stopped the punch just inches from her face. He was startled by her reflexes, his underestimation making it easy to bring him down.
Inserting her leg between his unbalanced stance, she tripped him and swiped his legs out from underneath him. Keeping a solid hold on his arm, Hayden went down with him and slammed his back against the dinner table. She manipulated his arm and pressed it against his throat, creating pressure by leaning into him.
His eyes were wide with surprise, and when he tried to struggle against her, Hayden held him down, matching his strength with unexpected ease.
“Hayden!”
Fergus and Addie yelled her name in unison, but she didn’t take her eyes off Nathan. Considering Addie or Fergus hadn’t hurried to push her off him, Hayden figured Blake or Cole had stopped their attempts.
A few strands of her hair escaped her ponytail, enough to frame her face and veil it from everyone but the man beneath her. Her wolf reared up and purred at the prospect of dominating over someone, a pack member in particular. In response, she leaned further into Nathan, securing her position.
“You—”
Hayden growled, effectively shutting him up. “I’m sick of male pride taking precedence over common sense!” It was spoken to Nathan, but it was applicable to everyone in the room. “You’ve been Alpha for only a handful of weeks. You can be mad at me all you’d like, but at least I was thinking clearly. You have a brother that loves you and a pack that needs you. Throwing it all away on something so stupid is pathetic.”