Hunter slashed through wolves left and right, fighting to get to Alpha Bennett. Just as he reached him, Clay floated down from somewhere above. Landing behind the Alpha, he jerked him around and sank his fangs into Bennett’s neck.
At the same moment, Hunter thrust his hand through the Alpha’s back, grabbed his spine, and yanked. Alpha Bennett’s howl faded into nothingness as he dropped to the ground. Hunter tossed the spine into the dirt and shifted back to human.
“It’s done!” Hunter shouted. “Alpha Bennett is dead.”
Mark howled gleefully as the Alpha died. Still, he searched the area. Desire for more blood, for more death, sang through his body. The circle was a bloody battlefield.
A slight cough caught his attention. A naked human was on his knees next to the mangled body of Tate. Anger surged through him, and he leaped toward the remaining Marked Tree wolf.
Mark landed in front of the male, who blinked warily up at him. “Please,” he whispered. “Please don’t.”
Hunter rushed in front of Mark, holding up his hands. “Mark! No! He killed Tate. Do you hear me? He killed the one who planned to shoot me.”
Mark whined deeply in his throat.
Hunter grabbed Mark’s blood-soaked muzzle. “It’s okay, babe. Come back to me. It’s okay. I’m okay. Need you, love.”
His mate called him love. Mark shifted so fast his head spun, and he threw himself at Hunter. “I thought I’d lost you. Jesus, Hunter!” Mark pulled back and started running his hands over Hunter’s naked skin. “You’re okay? You’re sure?”
Hunter stood still while Mark checked him over. Finally, he caught Mark’s hand. “I really am okay.”
Mark collapsed against him. “I was so scared when I saw what was happening. I just knew he was going to kill you. I knew I couldn’t get to you in time.”
Andy joined them, and Paul was right behind him. “And here I thought that Michael brought excitement into our lives. Glad you’re okay, Hunter. Congratulations.”
“Congratulations, Alpha Hunter and Alpha Mark Day of the Marked Tree pack,” Paul added.
Michael slapped Mark on the back. “Congratulations! Never had any doubt you two would win this.”
“Is that right?” Andy asked, poking Michael in the ribs. “I’m pretty sure that was you who panicked when you heard your name screamed.”
“Vampires never panic. Michael was mildly concerned.” Clay wiped a streak of blood off Michael’s cheek then licked his finger. “You were magnificent, beautiful.”
Michael beamed. “I was, wasn’t I?”
Mark glanced down at the Beta who was still on his knees. “Who are you?”
“My name is Todd Elway. My mate is Tate’s younger sister.”
“Shit,” Andy mumbled.
“No, no. She hated him. We both hated him. He was an abusive asshole. Please understand, I didn’t want to be a Beta to Alpha Bennett, but I didn’t have a choice. Tate made it very clear my mate would be the one to suffer if I refused. You have no idea what it’s been like here.”
Hunter released a deep breath. “No, I don’t, but I promise things are going to change and change for the better.”
Todd’s posture screamed disbelief.
“I give you my word. I’m not like Alpha Bennett.” Turning, Hunter waved at his Betas, who were still playing around. “My people are happy. They’re good folks. I’m going to ask five of them to move here and help make this pack a pack to be proud of. A pack that’s happy. A pack that’s financially secure. I’m going to do everything I can to see that future come to pass.”
Todd watched the Betas for a couple minutes before finally turning back to Hunter. “I believe you.”
“Good. Todd Elway, since you saved my life, I give you yours. Will you swear allegiance to me? Will you serve me and mine? Before you answer, you should know that Mark is my fated mate, and yes, he’s a bitten Alpha. But if you’re uncomfortable serving an Alpha who’s bitten, I grant you twenty-four hours to pack and leave. Otherwise, you’re welcome to stay.”
Todd struggled to his feet. “I swear allegiance to you and yours, Alpha Hunter.” Todd faced Mark. “I didn’t know a bitten wolf could be an Alpha, but that doesn’t matter to me. You’re just as strong as any born Alpha. I saw that. I pledge my allegiance to you also, Alpha Mark.”
Mark cleared his throat repeatedly before he could speak. Damn tickle and burning eyes. “I accept you.”
Hunter nodded his agreement. “I accept you too.”
“Thank you.” Todd bared his throat to both Alphas.
Andy and Michael stood off to the side exchanging friendly insults. Clay and Paul spoke quietly. Hunter and Mark’s Betas occasionally sniffed the other Betas to make sure they were indeed dead.
The ground was torn up and soaked with blood, bodies were everywhere, and the stench of burned meat rode the air currents. Hunter and Mark’s Betas hopped around them, barking and yipping. Now that the danger was over, they were in the mood to play.
Hunter wrapped his arm around Mark’s waist. “Lots of work to do.”
“Yup, it’s a mess,” Mark said, leaning into him.
Brax, in human form, strolled up to them, kicking what looked to be a severed hand in front of him. “Swear to the goddess, I can’t take you two anywhere.” Hunter shook his head as Brax stopped next to Todd. “Hey, Todd. I’m Brax. Why don’t we see if we can find you some clothes?”
Mark watched the two walk off.
“Speaking of….” Mark waved at their naked bodies.
“Nakedness doesn’t bother werewolves.”
“Good to know. But what about vampires, Guardians, and fire elementals?”
Hunter winked at Mark. “They can enjoy the view.”
Mark hooted, but his mirth died as he watched the retreating figures of Todd and Brax.
“Brax will take care of him,” Hunter said. “I have a sneaking suspicion a lot of our new pack members are going to be a lot like Todd.”
“Traumatized? Beaten down? Hopeless?”
“We’ll bring them hope, help the traumatized, and build up the beaten down. We’re going to show these people the true meaning behind the word pack. But it’s going to take time.”
Mark pursed his lips as he slowly gazed around them. There was a lot of work to be done to not only the physical structures but also the land. Then there were the pack members themselves.
They were probably worried and possibly afraid. Some might even leave when they met him. He was sure there would be troublemakers to weed out. But they’d claimed this land as theirs now. He and Hunter would build back and build back better. They’d make this the best pack ever. Even better? He was close to Michael and his friends now.
They’d work on building friendships with Paul, Andy, Clay, Michael, Nicholas, and Jonas. And somehow, they’d deal with Jackson. They would build a life here, and he couldn’t wait.
“We’ll be their light.”
Hunter kissed Mark’s cheek. “Seems fitting. You’re mine.”
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Books by M.A. Church
Changeling Press
Bad Boys Club Box Set
Lust and Ice
Into the Darkness
Haunting the Night
eXtasy Books
The Yellow Rope
Self-Published books
The Harvest series
The Harvest: Journey’s End
The Harvest: A Tah’Narian Christmas
The Harvest Young series
Bound by Fate
Destiny: A Prequel to Bound by Destiny
Bound by Destiny
Bound by Love
The Deep Blue Sea series
Beneath the Surface
Riding the Tide
Make a Wish series
Nighttime Wishes
Nighttime Promises
Heart of a Jaguar series
Paws and Claws
F
ur and Fangs
Leap of Faith series
Shadows in the Night
To Touch the Sky
The Gods Series
Priceless
Perfect
Pure
Fangs, Fur, and Felines series
Trouble Comes in Threes
Behind the Eight Ball
It Takes Two to Tango
At Sexes and Sevens
The One and Only
Night’s Fall
Day’s Light
Standalones
In Enemy Hands
Texting, Autocorrect, and a Prius
A Country Boy at Heart
Wrapped in Leather
Dragon’s Hoard
Faded Love
Kiss Me Deadly
About the Author
M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full-time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!
When not writing, she’s exploring the latest M/M novel to hit the market, cheering her beloved Steelers, or watching HGTV. That’s if she’s not on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two children.
She is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Contact M.A.:
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Email: nomoretears00@hotmail.com