“Leave my pack alone. I’m here to make a few demands.” The alpha glared at Justice. His voice was stern and steady despite the mental beating he’d just taken. He was about three inches taller than Justice, with wide shoulders and even wider thighs. A massive man that had an impressive animal. Too bad he was an ass. “I declare my pack free and clear of your rule. I’m only here to recruit… not steal. I’m here to release any who want to go from your oppressive laws and offer them something better. Something they deserve. Freedom.”
“Money,” Justice growled, correcting him. He stepped forward, surprised the alpha was holding his position and the eye contact… so was his fuckin’ wench of a mate. Ultimate disrespect. “No one here will join you, and if you think for one second you’re just gonna turn around and walk out of here, then you’ve lost your damn mind.”
The alpha snarled again then turned with his arms open wide, yelling across the large property so all men could hear him. He ignored Justice’s threat and homed in on what he thought was his trump card. “Yes, and money.” His bass-filled voice carried. “Better living. Better resources. We’ll take back our forest and our streets from the damn vamps, while your AZ makes you consort with them. Forces you to. I don’t want to rule you. You can rule your own home. Every man is an alpha at the Ruby Dome!”
Justice let the man see that he wouldn’t find any followers here.
“So you’ll stay with an alpha that’s mated to our enemy?! A damn male vampire! My true mate is real. A female born alpha. Look at her.” The traitorous alpha pointed at his Amazonian-looking mate. She stood just as tall as him, but fuck if she didn’t look like the ugly bastard as well.
“You sure she’s not your sister?” Mac snorted, standing with his feet shoulder width apart, waiting on Justice’s word to attack.
The alpha growled in Mac’s direction but his brother yawned and raised a nonchalant brow.
“Unless there’s something wrong with your nose, you can’t disprove my mating.” Justice didn’t have to verify shit to this fool. He was done talking.
No sooner than he prepared to shift and end this once and for all, the alpha’s mate stepped forward. “If your mate is truly yours, then he’s supreme. No one could touch him. All I see is a measly vampire, mated to a shifter. Unnatural. We are the superiors.” She turned her scrunched up face back to Justice and eyed him with every ounce of putrid hate she had in her. “Alpha Zenith. I challenge your mate.”
Panic and confusion rang out behind Justice, his pack concerned about Wick having to fight a shifter. It was common knowledge that shifters were stronger than vampires. Justice growled, ready to tear her throat out, but Wick stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. He turned to look back at Wick and saw his beast lurking close to the surface.
“I can end this. I’m here to protect them too, remember,” Wick said gently.
There wasn’t an ounce of fear or unease. No. Like always. His mate was fully composed and aware of who he truly was.
Justice’s family hurried forward.
“No fucking way,” Farica growled. She was no longer the peacekeeper, but the alpha she was born to be. “Justice, you can’t fight his challenger, but you can choose a champion for him. I will fight for Wick. Let me tear that ugly heffa’s head off.”
“No. I am his Captain and interim Lord Protector. I will fight her, and I will win,” Ramon said, his fangs showing with each word he hissed.
Wick looked at Ramon. “If she shifts, you can’t beat her. Stay close to Henry.”
“Wick, please let me do—”
“I already gave you my order, Captain,” Wick said, eyeing Ramon boldly. The vampire nodded his head, his disappointment radiating off him, but he obeyed.
“Justice.” Farica prepared to ask again, but Wick stopped her, too.
“Go back and stand with your pack. I’m going to be just fine, Farica.” Wick gently patted her on the cheek. “I promise you.”
Justice looked at his mate. He’d never heard him use the word promise before. It meant something to them, to their family. They kept their promises. Farica’s eyes were brimming with angry tears because she was far from sad or scared. Obeying, she moved to stand with the other pack members.
Justice stepped back and fell in line with his brothers. They were all watching with fascination… knowing who was about to show up. He put his arm around his baby sister, keeping her assured with his own peace.
Wick stood several feet away; his hands were steepled in front of his stomach as he addressed everyone that stood behind the untrue alpha. He was speaking to all the men of Mikel’s pack and his own as well, his mate’s voice was assertive. “I accept the challenge under a few conditions.”