Justice knew that gutless, poaching motherfucker would be back, he just didn’t think it’d be tonight. He thought Erman would be licking his bruised ego for at least a few days. Justice looked at the clock on the stove, it was almost two in the morning. Peak time for vampires, but the night still belonged to the wolf.

Ramon Vega’s thick chest was pumped up and his eyes held a startling shade of red behind the blackness. He wanted to show his skill, whether for him or Wick, he didn’t know. Ramon looked like he was trying to will Justice to say yes to him, but Justice didn’t need anyone to fight his battles. A challenge for his mate was his duty to accept… and win. It was the only way to rightfully claim his prize.

“Ramon, I only need you to perform two tasks, hopefully not three. No one ever wants the third task.” Justice didn’t have to look down at Ramon when he spoke, he stood at the same six-foot two as him, but Ramon courteously averted his eyes to Justice’s shoulder.

“Por favor. Name them.”

“First, and most important. Please situate the rest of Wick’s escort to the right side of the lawn. Tell them to remain there throughout the challenge. That way I won’t suspect them of potentially interfering or sneaking up on me from behind by their movement.”

“No one will sneak up on you. I won’t allow it!” Wick roared, his energy starting to permeate the room. Justice soaked it up, savoring the authority. 

“Everything will be fine mate. I promise.”

They could smell the stench of Erman’s deceit all the way in the house.

“The second task.” Justice felt his canines burning to descend and destroy. His voice getting darker and deadlier as he spoke. “After I win and I exile Ermanno Giuliani from any and all shifter territory, I want you to escort him to the state line. Nevada is claimed land.”

“Sí, Alpha,” Ramon answered swiftly. “King Bentley. I have to be honest and forthcoming with my report. Captain Erman does not believe Justice is your fated Beloved because of the way he first refused your call. He wants us to leave Nevada immediately. Absolutely no one is siding with him and he’s turning violent.”

Justice’s menacing growl made Ramon ease back a couple steps and drop his eyes further. His voice was a booming bass that made his threat travel well beyond the perimeters of the cabin and far past the front lawn. “My THIRD task, Lord Protector. When I win the challenge… properly dispose of the captain’s body.”

“Let the former captain know my Beloved and I are coming out,” Wick said through bared fangs.

“Sí, my Lord.”

Justice wasn’t worried about fighting. He’d already experienced the captain’s strength before at the police station. The man was insane to provoke Justice… either that or he was that infatuated with Wick. Justice couldn’t blame the poor guy for falling hard at the first sight of Wick.

Justice remembered one of his father’s many teachings. “A real man, a real fighter knows when he’s lost the battle.” Wick was claimed and he belonged to Justice. There was no reversing it. The rejected vamp should take the loss and bow out with dignity. Not make a spectacle, or get his throat ripped out.

Justice sat back in the dining room chair and pulled Wick onto his lap, burying his face in the bend of his neck, caressing his mark. He sent Wick a fraction of his confidence, showing his mate he had no cause to worry. Justice breathed in Wick’s wonderful scent and centered himself, centered his wolf.

He was glad Wick had accepted what needed to be done. Out of reverence for Wick, and as a courtesy to the vampires watching, most of whom had worked many years with the captain, he would try to spare his life.

When he was done letting Wick’s presence focus him, he calmly sent his brother Alek a message. Challenges weren’t quiet – growls and snarls could be heard for miles – and Justice couldn’t worry about shielding his emotions when he fought, so his siblings would feel it. Ignoring his beta’s extreme disapproval, Justice briefly explained the situation and let him know he had everything under control. Wick was silent while Justice mentally spoke with his brother.

Alek: “Have you lost your true-mate-having mind? Are you in so much bliss that little butterflies have taken over your brain and made you stupid?”

Justice growled loudly down their link.

Alek: “Better. That’s my Alpha. And the AZ knows that his first beta belongs at every challenge. I should be there. You’ve never fought a vampire. It doesn’t matter that you can take him. The Alpha Zenith should not be executing a challenge without a single member from his pack – or any pack – being present. Who of your pack will stand with your true mate? You don’t need me to remind you, of all people, of our laws, Justice.”

Alek was right.

“Mikel and I are on our way, I’ll leave Mac with Farica.”

“It’ll be over before you get here.” Justice cleared the link and rose from his seat.

Wick turned in Justice’s arms and pressed his mouth to his, pushing and rubbing his body aggressively against him. The weight was wonderful and exactly what he needed. Wick touched him everywhere on his upper body so Justice’s nose and his mind would be flooded with his scent. Also, his sly mate was adding his own insulting slap to the captain’s face. Erman would have to fight him while Justice was cloaked in Wick’s scent – the one he desired. It was an atrocious mind-fuck and it was a gesture that said, “Wick’s body was all over me, not you… and it never will be.”

Justice let Wick walk ahead of him. When they got to the open, double doors, Wick paused in the threshold, shooting dark daggers at Erman. The angry vampire stood by himself at the end of the circular driveway. Justice didn’t need the bright, outside accent lights within the landscape to see. At night, his vision was better than twenty-twenty. First thing he noticed was Erman was dressed for the event. His typical white-collared shirt and designer black blazer were absent, along with his polished appearance. The vampire wore a dingy brown tank top and wrinkled camo pants.

As he was instructed, Ramon stood off to the right in front of the four remaining trusted vampires. None of them looked sympathetic to their brother that didn’t seem to comprehend the danger he was facing.

Justice didn’t take his eyes off of Erman when he wrapped both arms around his mate from behind and kissed the visible bite mark on his neck. The positive, courageous emotions Wick pushed towards him had him whispering the words into his mate’s mind without second thought.

“I love you.”

He couldn’t see Wick from the front but he could feel him close his eyes and return that love ten-fold.