~

 

One thing Lucas hated more than anything else in life was to stand on the sidelines when there was a perfectly good fight to be had.

Sure, it wasn’t his fight. It was Neal’s mate that had been attacked, and it was his brother’s prerogative to take that fight on, but still, both of his brothers were in pitched battles, and all he could do was to ensure that the mates were protected.

He’d rather be balls deep in the heart of the fighting, because from where he stood, protecting Isla and Penny – it didn’t much feel like he was actually doing anything.

He lived the fight blow for blow. His mind was ducking and weaving with his brother’s movements, and he knew Neal’s next move before the wolf had even made it.

All three brothers had grown up training together, and they’d fought together side by side. It was how it should be – and it was why he felt so damn redundant.

 

~

~

~

 

The moment that Griffin had his beast on things changed.

His wolf was more than able to match Angus’ beast size for size, and with the added strength of the alpha wolf – the battle became more even sided than it ever could have been if he’d stayed human.

Right up to the point where Angus made his next mistake.

The wolf showed just a little too much of his underbelly to the alpha, exposing not only his chest but his throat as well.

That was when Griffin made his move, swiping his claws into the softer flesh and gouging upwards, making the beast freeze with the pain that tore through him, and Griffin went in for the kill with his jaws snapping closed around the wolf’s neck.

One hard shake of his head on his neck and Angus’ beast had been defeated.

Griffin wrenched his claws from the wolf and let the weight of the animal take him face down in the dirt.

Then the alpha stepped up to the lifeless body of his challenger, tossed his head back on his neck, and howled his victory for the pack to celebrate.

 

~

~

~

 

Angus’ brother heard the victory howl of the alpha, and his heart lurched inside of him. A single moment’s hesitation in the fierce fight against the beta left him open to attack, and he knew his time had come and gone on the planet when he felt Neal’s razor sharp claws cut through the flesh at his throat and gouge a path across his neck.

His beast dropped heavy against the dirt.

In the moment’s that it took for his life to slip away – he mourned his brother’s passing and cursed it in equal amounts. His brother’s desire to be alpha had killed them both.

 

~

~

~

 

“Griffin,” Keri stalked towards the alpha wolf; her eyes blazed with concern, anger, and a whole lot of relief.

Griffin’s wolf wanted one thing and one thing only – to meet his mate in the flesh. The beast turned his turned his head on his neck, and his eyes took her in.

Then the wolf turned his large body around on his paws and started a slow walk towards the witch – expecting to be zapped at some point – but not wanting to rush at her and speed up the process.

“Whoa, wolf.” Keri ground to a halt and took a second or two to think about the bloodied and large beast that was heading her way.

He’s not going to take a bite.

I’m his mate.

Calm down.

Breathe.

He’s kind of like the family pet.

Big damn pet.

But still.

Don’t panic the wild animal.

“He won’t hurt you,” Maria assured her from somewhere off to her left, but she didn’t turn her head to acknowledge the woman’s words. 

Keri’s eyes were intent on the wolf.

“He might nibble, a little,” Percival offered, stirring the pot.

“Shut up, Percy,” Keri bit out of the side of her mouth as she raised her hand in front of her towards the beast – palm out – as if she was going to use her magic against him.

The wolf didn’t hesitate in his step. He kept the same slow pace all the way towards her.

His eyes were intent on hers, and when he did stop – it was because the tip of his nose was pressed gently against the palm of her hand.

“Look at you,” Keri muttered to herself.

A smile started on her lips, and when the beast sniffed against her flesh, that smile grew wider.

“Got any Scooby snacks?” Percival asked, but Keri was too enamored with the beast to bother berating him.

Griffin’s wolf was glorious to behold, but when her eyes took him in – she could see the blood that covered his fur and wounds that cut deep into his flesh.

“You’re hurt… I can heal…” the beast nudged her hand out of the way and padded closer.

Keri didn’t move a muscle as the wolf brushed the side of his head against her cheek and took her scent at the source.

Mine…

 

~

~

~

 

“I had it under control,” Penny rushed forwards towards her mate’s wolf and stopped in her tracks when the beast turned on fast paws towards her. “But, thanks for saving me,” she rushed out – feeling a fresh wave of guilt chase through her.

The wolf grumbled a growl of annoyance and snorted. A heartbeat later and Neal was standing there, bloodied, bruised, cut, and very, very, very naked.

“Running?” He growled out.

“What?” Penny’s mind farted and spun in a million different directions – that was until the naked beta lifted his hand and pointed at the open bathroom window behind her. “What? No!”

“Really? You just climbed out of the window for the fun of it, do you?” Neal growled back.

He knew that he probably shouldn’t have been growling at his mate, but he was as mad as hell that she’d put herself in danger, and his beast was still front and center from the fight.

“Actually – funny – not-so-funny story,” Penny swallowed hard at the look that she got back from her mate.

“Witches be mental…” Lucas said and got an elbow in the ribs from Isla for his trouble.

“Why would she run?” Isla demanded of her mate.

“That’s what I’d like to hear,” Neal growled down at Penny as she scowled back at him.

“I didn’t!” She protested. “I wouldn’t!” She said adamantly. “I have every damn intention of mating with you!” She bit out.

Neal’s mouth opened, and he twisted his head on his neck as he narrowed his eyes on her.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me, dumb oaf!” Penny snapped back.

“I heard you – I think – but, I’m not sure you heard you,” Neal said, slightly confused.

“I have ears, don’t I?” Penny snapped back. “And do you have to stand there like that? It’s distracting!”

Neal took all of a few seconds for his brain to kick his backside in gear.

Then he reached out, scooped her up, turned on his heels and started for the back door of the house.

“Bye… then,” Isla waved.

“Oh, you can put me the hell down anytime, Muscles!” Penny grumbled, but she didn’t force the issue.

“I will, as soon as we get to our bedroom,” Neal growled back.

Penny opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

That was the moment that the grin started at his lips and grew wider across his face by the second with every step that the man took.

He was savoring the moment.

He’d silence her.

He’d won the fight.

He’d won his mate.

He’d wooed her.

Now, he was going to love her in every way, shape and form possible, and maybe some that weren’t damn well possible, but he was more than willing to try.

He had her in his arms, and he was never letting go.

No more wooing.

She was his.

His to love.

His to cherish.

And his to keep until the end of his days.