Page 32 of Forbidden Moon
“You have never been able to defeat me, boy. You won’t this time. And then I’ll kill your mate, slowly, painfully.”
If his father’s words were supposed to make Garrett angry, they only did the opposite. Garrett smiled, a baring of teeth that visibly shook his father. “I wasn’t trying to defeat you before and if you try to touch Maya, she will gut you like the coward that you are. She doesn’t need me to fight her battles for her.”
His father roared and lunged for him, claws out, death in his eyes. Garrett neatly sidestepped and slashed his father’s arm with his own claws, drawing blood. The old wolf howled in pain and backed away, clutching his wounded arm. Garrett stood his ground, his eyes locked onto his father's, daring him to come closer.
But the older male didn't move, his eyes flickering with a mix of fear and anger. “You ungrateful pup,” he spat out. “I raised you, taught you everything you know, and this is how you repay me? By siding with that bitch?”
Garrett's grip on his claws tightened, but he forced himself to remain calm. “Maya is my mate, and I love her. And I won't let you harm her.”
His father sneered, “Your mate? You're nothing but a pup, barely out of your mother's den. You don't know how to handle a mate.” He advanced towards Garrett again, but this time, Garrett was ready. He shifted into his wolf form, his fur bristling as he growled at his father.
The old wolf snarled back, his eyes glowing with a dangerous light. They circled each other, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Garrett’s heart pounded in his chest, but he refused to back down.
Suddenly, his father lunged at him, but Garrett evaded him easily. He darted to the side, biting down hard on his father's hind leg. The old wolf yelped in pain, trying to shake Garrett off, but the young wolf held on tight.
With a fierce growl, Garrett released his father's leg and backed away. The two wolves circled each other once more, their eyes locked in a deadly stare-down. The tension in the air was palpable as they both prepared for their next move.
Garrett's father was the first to make a move. He charged at Garrett, his jaws open wide as he aimed for Garrett's throat. But Garrett was too quick. He spun around and dodged the attack, then lunged forward and sank his teeth into his father's throat.
The old wolf let out a howl of pain as Garrett's teeth dug deeper into his flesh. He tried to shake Garrett off, but the young wolf held on tight. Finally, with a powerful burst of energy, Garrett tore through the flesh and leaped back just in time to avoid his father's claws.
Garrett's father collapsed to the ground, his body convulsing in his death throes. Garrett shifted as his father's body twitched and spasmed, then finally went still.
A yell tore his attention away, and he saw Maya crouched in front of the small cave, his uncle in front of her holding his cheek, blood streaming down. “You fucking bitch.”
Her claws were out and bloody, and she snarled. “Get the fuck away from those pups.”
Chaos erupted from the entrance, and they turned. Garrett whirled back to see the back of his uncle disappear down a tunnel. “Fuck!”
She raced over to him. “Are you okay?”
He nudged his father’s body with his toe as people streamed into the cavern led by his old partner, Caleb. “I’m fine. Check the pups.”
“They’re okay. Your uncle never got near them. He was going to kill them.”
“No witnesses,” Garrett replied, dully.
She nodded. He pulled her against him, as excited voices demanded answers from all around them. How long would he have with her before they were pulled apart again?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Maya huddled under a blanket and cupped a warm mug of coffee in the conference room. Caleb, Charles, and Duncan were arrayed in the room, along with Isaac, listening to her statement. When she was done, silence reigned for several long moments.
She looked up at the very serious expressions. “Saranac was behind this. Linc Colvin was there. You have the bodies of Brandon and Shane Colvin. What more do you need? Sloane and the pups will testify to it. And how about the guards you captured?”
“The guards were gone by the time we got there. Garrett said they were rogues, so they crawled back under whatever rock they came from. The pups were too traumatized and Sloane’s testimony will be considered flawed due to the trauma.”
Anger burned in Maya, hot and bright. “What about my testimony? And Garrett’s? Are we too traumatized to be believed?”
She knew her tone bordered on insubordination, but she didn’t give a fuck. The Council was acting like it didn’t matter. “Pups were killed. Do you know how many pups were kidnapped and how many didn’t come home? Do you even give a fuck about that?”
“Maya, enough,” Charles ordered.
“Actually, she’s right,” Duncan said quietly. “You don’t seem to care about what actually happened. You’re more interested in sweeping it under the rug and I’d like to know why.”
This time, it was Charles’s turn to look uncomfortable, which was interesting since he outranked her alpha. He sighed. “This stays here and is so off the record, I’ll deny it was ever said. The Supreme Alpha has ruled that the individual behind the attack was Shane Colvin and, since he is dead, has paid for his crimes. Saranac will pay some restitution in monetary funds, the border will return to the original state, and it will be done.”
Maya stared in disbelief. “If you believe that horseshit, then you’re as culpable as they are. Linc Colvin was involved too.”