Control (Blood & Bone Enforcers MC)

He fell silent and Noah cleared his throat, continuing the story. “The intruder that night was Jerry. He wanted to be Alpha, and since it’s family based, the only option was killing Luke and his family. His gift is the ability to put a gag order on someone. If he doesn’t want them to talk about something, he orders it, and they physically can’t.”

Damara frowned, her brown eyes compassionate as she looked at Luke. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea about any of this.”

“No one did, other than Noah and Blake. I locked memories of that time away. I didn’t want to think about it, much less talk to anyone about it.”

Liam began pacing, shaking his head, looking deep in thought. “So the fucker who killed your family and stole your birthright is coming after you, and bringing the pride with him.”

“I doubt it’s the whole pride,” Noah mused. “There will still be a lot of lions who are loyal to Luke because he’s a Carlisle, whether he’s the alpha or not.”

“I don’t get it, though. Why come after me now, after all this time? The pride is in Maine, and I haven’t even been anywhere near there since I left when I was twelve. I’m not a threat. So why now?”

Blake nodded toward Noah. “I think he basically said it. There are probably a lot in the pride who are still loyal to you. Jerry might have decided that you’re still a threat, whether you’re around or not. What would happen if you suddenly decided you wanted your birthright and showed up? You’d probably become Alpha based on who you are, even though he’s been leading the pride for years.”

Tarun wrapped her arms around herself, feeling cold down to her soul as her gift kicked in. “That’s exactly it. He’s taking care of loose ends. He doesn’t want an

y threat to his position. There’s something there I’m not seeing. Something that made him feel like he had to act. I’m going to work on developing my gift, but for now, that’s all I see. That there was a catalyst involved.”

Luke came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, warming her a bit. “I suppose the answer wouldn’t be any different if I asked you to leave?”

“Nope,” she replied with a half-smile. “But I want to train today. In animal form. And I want to fight Noah.”

Noah’s eyebrows rose as he glanced at her. “Why me?”

“Because I want to know what it’s like to fight a lion, specifically. I want that experience. It has to be you. Luke is the only other lion here, and I know him. He won’t come at me all out, because he’ll be too afraid of hurting me.”

Luke growled next to her ear. “Noah won’t be going all out, either.”

“Yeah, I will,” Noah replied, ignoring Luke’s warning hiss. “She needs to know what to expect and how to fight a lion successfully. Would you really let her go into this fight unprepared?”

Luke was silent behind her, his arms tightening around her. She could feel the distaste and uneasiness rolling off him and into her, but he knew she and Noah were right.

He might not like it. He might hate it. But he was going to let her training happen, and he was going to let it happen the way it needed to.

And if he didn’t do it willingly, she’d get the other Enforcers to physically remove him until they were done for the day.

Luke watched as Noah stalked Tarun, his lion huge, his menacing eyes locked on Luke’s mate. Watching it happen and not stepping in to stop it was excruciating.

Logically, he knew they were right. Tarun needed to fight a lion, needed to know what to expect, and Noah was an excellent fighter. Her odds of surviving increased every moment she trained.

Emotionally, it was killing him. His heart, his body, his lion, his every instinct was shouting at him to stop the fight, and it was all he could do to stay in his spot.

Noah suddenly pounced, launching himself in the air toward Tarun, and that did it. Luke stepped forward, unable to stop himself, a growl deep in his chest.

Noah’s our friend, but he needs to hurt for that offense, his lion spat, urging him on.

But before he could get far, a hand wrapped around his elbow and yanked him back. “This needs to happen. I understand that it goes against your instincts, but I won’t have you stopping it. If you can’t handle it, get your ass inside.”

Blake’s words were hard and demanding, and it was obvious he meant them—and clear that he’d force Luke inside if he didn’t go willingly. But there was a thread of compassion woven through his tone, and it was enough to make Luke lock his knees so he’d stop moving.

He squeezed his eyes shut. His animal was demanding he watch, but he thought it might be better for his sanity if he didn’t. The Enforcers gathered around wouldn’t let anything happen to Tarun. And Noah wouldn’t hurt her. He knew that. So, while he couldn’t make himself leave, maybe he should stop torturing himself.

“I’ll behave. I just fucking hate this. I hate that she’s fighting Noah, I hate that she feels like she has to know how to fight a lion, and most of all, I hate that it’s my fault.”

“Don’t be a dumbass. This isn’t your fault. You didn’t ask for any of it, and this is all because of the actions of another. Not you. Open your eyes, Luke.”

“Nope. If I can’t see it, it’s easier to resist stepping in.”

“Luke. Open your fucking eyes. See what I see.”