Checking his phone, he saw the message that the job was finished and he smiled to himself. A new idea came to him about who would replace Brenda; why bother, he thought. As the High Priest, he would have total control over David and use fear rather than Brenda’s fruitless methods. He’d waited long enough for a return on his investment.
Sitting against a tree, Tyson occasionally glanced at Michael, wondering why he was smiling. He felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Reaching in, he silenced it. Slowly rising, he indicated to Michael that he had to take a shit and headed off into the woods. When he was sure he was hidden from everyone, he pulled out his phone and smiled as he read the text. Then he buried the phone under a log where he could retrieve it after the fighting was over.
Michael looked around at his men. The sky was beginning to lighten and he could wait no longer for his southern contingent to arrive. “Okay, time to shift andbreak into your groups,” he ordered. “Remember, your role is to keep the Scottish wolves occupied so my group can retrieve the target. Once he’s secure, I’ll give you the signal to break off the attack and we’ll meet back here. Any questions?” Seeing none, Michael growled, “Shift.”
Stripping, Michael stuffed his clothes and phone into a small backpack, hanging it on a branch. After shifting, he watched the wolves form up into their assigned groups with Tyson on his left flank. Giving a snap of his teeth, Michael issued a low growl and began running, leading them into battle.
~/~/~/~/~
Zane led David over to Angus who was issuing orders and directing the other Scottish wolves. Remaining quiet, he waited for an opening to speak. Zane smiled as Angus revealed his plan—David would help assure its success.
“Ay, ye’ll be leaving now, I expect?” Angus asked, sure Zane and David would not be joining in the fight.
“Absolutely not,” Zane said emphatically. “We brought these assholes to you so it’s our fight too…evenmorethan yours.”
“Ay,” Angus nodded in agreement, “but we cannot protect yer mate.”
“I don’t expect you to, but David will be a big help to us.” Zane saw the doubt reflected in Angus’ face, but that would soon change. “David knows the leader and will lure him to us.”
Angus’ bushy eyebrows almost disappeared into his hair with skepticism. Looking over at the slender shifter, disbelief was reflected in his voice as he asked, “And how is he plannin’ tae do that, laddie?”
Grinning, Zane revealed their plan.
~/~/~/~/~
Michael’s nerves were on edge as he ran towards David; his wolf was disturbed. He was unable to figure out why he was unnerved since it had never happened to him on any other dangerous mission. Using his wolf senses, Michael tuned into his surroundings but found nothing unusual—the early birds scavenged for their breakfast, small creatures scurried away from the wolves and, most importantly, he heard no howls from lookouts signaling their approach.
Deciding to ignore his instincts, Michael sped up, his paws tearing up the forest floor. He needed to arrive before the first light of dawn and cursed his decision to wait for his other men. Everything hinged on the attack being a surprise both to the Scottish wolves and David, as he caught them sleeping.
Grinning, Michael was already imagining how sweet his victory would be with David in his clutches and Brenda gone.
Emerging from the woods, Michael led his wolves up the last hill standing in the way of achieving his lifelong goal of endless wealth, which no longer needed to be shared with Brenda. As he crested the hill, the last thing he expected to see was David, standing alone, seemingly waiting for him. Narrowing his eyes, Michael searched the valley, but nothing moved except his prey—walking towards him. Slowing down, then stopping, Michael waited, sensing a trap.
“Michael,” called David.
Debating what to do for a second, Michael then shifted, standing naked, surrounded by his wolves. “Where’s your mate?” he asked.
“He rejected me once I told him who I was,” David replied, feeling the pain slice through him for saying those words even though he didn’t mean them. Stopping about 20 yards from Michael, he stood still, watching his nemesis.
Turning David’s words over in his mind, Michael yelled, “I don’t believe you.”
David stared at Michael. Then, shrugging his shoulders he said, “Fine, then I’ll just keep everything I gain for myself.” Turning away, he strode toward an outcropping of boulders.
Snarling, Michael shifted, giving a howl for his group to follow, his wolf bounding after David, intent on teaching him a lesson as to who was in charge, once and for all.
Reaching the boulders, just after Michael shifted, David ducked behind them and into the arms of his waiting mate who pulled him tight to his chest while kissing his cheek.
“Now, get the hell out of here…please,” Zane hissed.
Chapter 28
Kieran sat on Logan’s dragon, waiting for the signal to take flight while Ian and Colton stood in the shadows of the trees. After taking care of the wolves advancing from the south, Kieran urged Logan to fly faster so they’d arrive before the other group. Setting down in the middle of the Scottish Wolf village, Ian slid off first, taking charge, assigning Slate and Dakota to protect the women and children, then ordering the attack according to the plan Angus had laid out. With everyone in place, Kieran caressed his dragon’s neck.Macushla, can you see what’s happening?
Stretching his head, Logan saw David heading toward the boulders.Yeah…time to go! Hang on!Unfolding his wings, he began to flap them slowly, then more quickly, finally lifting off and soaring into the night sky. Circling the battlefield, he spied his targets and began to dive.Hang on, babe, here we go!
As Michael’s wolf rounded the boulder David had ducked behind, he was challenged by a huge, white wolf at the head of a band of kneeling men in kilts, brandishing broadswords. Counting on the wolves behind him to take care of the men who hadn’t shifted, Michael’s wolf charged at the white wolf, knowing instinctively he was David’s mate.
Baring his teeth, Michael leapt into the air, landing on…nothing. Scrambling upright, snarling as he looked around for his prey, he saw only his wolves attacking the sword-wielding men. Michael dove into the fray, biting an arm with an upraised sword. Suddenly, the air was knocked from his lungs as a wolf landed on his back, pushing him to the ground, sinking its teeth into his neck. Twisting to free himself, he glimpsed the white wolf on his back. Rolling over, Michael freed himself, springing to his paws, ready to attack but the white wolf was gone again.
