Killian’s mouth pulls into a tight smile. “No way of knowing.” He snorts at the flimsy excuse. Bosco’s men have been surveying our lands for months now, plotting every mile. “Well, since you don't seem to even know where your own men were, then there’s no reason to believe they disappeared here.” He glares at Bosco’s two men, before looking directly at their leader. “Is that all?”
Bosco’s nose twitches, clearly not happy with the way this has played out. He’s such a fool. Too young and impulsive to be leading anyone, let alone trying to overrun other packs.
“You know,” Bosco finally speaks up. “This place has an amazing view.” He turns and looks out over the valley. “It would be a shame if something happened to your pack and you were run off your land.”
I want to laugh long and loud at the fucker, but Killian beats me to it.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” My pack alpha chuckles low in his chest, “Let me make something real clear for you, Bosco.” He steps off the porch, walking in slow, deliberate steps. I stay put, letting all three of these fuckers know how confident I am in Killian’s ability to hold his own. Especially against an old man, a child, and DanielfuckingBosco. “You aren’t running me off anywhere,” Killian’s voice is commanding and deep. It lightsme up, making me hard. “And you aren’t running off Dunna or Frolen either.”
Bosco’s right eye twitches, giving him away.We all know your plans, asshole.
“And Trevor isn’t intimidated either.” Killian’s voice shifts, all humor gone. “No one is intimidated by your little games.”
Bosco snarls, “I’m not?—”
“You’re not what?” Killian cuts him off and my blood begins to quicken. I need to either fight or fuck.Now.
“Don’t you dare speak to me like that,” Bosco growls, matching Killian’s volume, but he has nowhere near my pack alpha’s power.
“You are onmyland, threateningmypack.” Killian takes another step forward, and Bosco tenses. “You’re lucky you're still breathing.”
The bearded fucker’s body jerks and I crack my knuckles. His beady eyes snap to me, and he growls. The last time he and I fought, he got a few good hits on me, while I left him with a busted nose. I’d love to finish what we started.
“You aren't the leader of a mega pack, Bosco,” Killian says. “You have a handful of packmates and a few lackeys that follow you around like lost pups.” He looks right at the young alpha. But the kid doesn’t look as eager to fight. In fact, he glances away.
“I heard you got a new omega,” Bosco blurts out like it’s some kind of power move. But it just makes me smile.We’re definitely going to fight.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Killian roars, then his fist flies. He punches Bosco square in the jaw, making the asshole stumble backward. The bearded fucker pounces on my pack alpha, but Killian is too fast, landing one, two, three punches, laying him out flat on his ass.
I turn my gaze to the kid as I palm one fist, squeezing it over and over again. The kid doesn’t fucking move. In fact, he looks like he wants to run.
“Go,” I say, and the kid flinches. “I’ll give you a head start.” The kid takes one step back and I yell, “Go!”
He runs, full speed back into the trees.
Bosco screams after the alpha, still holding his nose. “Denon!”
But the boy doesn’t stop. He hits the trees and keeps on going.
A jerky growl pushes from Bosco’s throat as he turns back to Killian. Blood coats his fingers, dripping down his forearm. “Enjoy this moment, you motherfucker,” He snarls at Killian but his voice is way too nasally, and I end up laughing. “Laugh all you want.” He yells at me, and I inch closer. “Because one day, you’ll let your guard down and I’ll be waiting.”
“I look forward to it,” Killian says simply.
“Don’t forget your trash.” I grab the bearded fuck by the back of his neck, then force him onto his feet. He sways, then coughs, spraying blood all over my face. “Get the fuck out of here!” I shove him, then slowly follow, chasing him off our land. Bosco glares at me, flashing his blood-streaked teeth. I roll my shoulders back, ready to fight.
“Why’s the door open?” Jeremy’s bright voice hits my ears, and my stomach drops.
Killian and I both spin, just as Beth steps up next to our beta. Her hair is wet, and she’s wearing an oversized T-shirt that falls to her knees. She looks so tiny.
“I….uh…” Jeremy looks panicked, his blue eyes darting from Bosco to Killian, then to Beth. “We were going to the kitchen.” He pulls the door shut, but it’s too late. Bosco saw her.
“That omega.” Bosco’s eyes narrow as if thinking. “I know her.”
Fear and adrenaline pound in my chest, and I look at Killian. I’m not sure what to do. I want to kill this fucker where he stands, but that will only invite more violence. That kid—Denon—is probably getting back up right now, and the last thing we need is a war on our goddamn front lawn.
“Are we done?” Killian asks forcefully.
But Bosco doesn’t move. He’s still squinting at the door, where our omega stood.
