A whimper left Addox, and Franklin frowned.What was wrong with Axar's room?It was facing the street, but if Franklin had understood Addox's skill correctly, he'd have heard the traffic anyway.
When no one moved or spoke, she let out a piercing cry, loud enough to hurt his ears, and Addox curled into a fetal position right there on the ground.His hands covered his ears, but it didn't appear to be helping when she kept on letting out high-pitched shrieks.
Then a howl flew over the treetops, and Franklin grinned.It was answered by another howl from the other side of the forest."The pack is here."
Mrs.Dusan paled a fraction.Then she looked at Axton."Get him."She gestured at Axar, who stood frozen next to Franklin.Did she seriously think he'd let them take him?
The next moment, she rushed over to where Addox was curled up on the forest floor."Get up and get Axar."
It was painful to watch as a pale Addox clawed himself up on his feet and took a stumbling step toward them.
Franklin pushed Axar behind him before Axton could grab his arm and snarled in his face.Claws formed on his hands, and he showed off sharp teeth.
He'd gut anyone who tried to touch his mate.
Axton smacked a hand against Franklin's bare chest, but it was only a maneuver to get closer to Axar.
Then everything happened at once.Axton curled his fingers around Axar's wrist, Elvin broke through the tree line in wolf form, and Addox reached the stairs.
Franklin could feel the mate bond cut off.Shit!Axton must be more powerful than their mother was, or maybe it was the proximity.Axar moved out from behind him, ready to follow Axton anywhere.
A snarl left Franklin."Elvin, take Addox down, but don't hurt him."He pointed at Addox in case Elvin couldn't figure out who was who.The names were confusing as hell.
Then he wrenched Axton's hand off Axar.A gasp sounded as the connection broke, and relief mixed with shame and disappointment flooded Franklin through the bond.He'd deal with it later.
Elvin jumped Addox, who crumbled underneath him.It was clear he was overwhelmed by everything going on.The moment he was on the ground, Elvin put his weight on him, like a dog who figured using its daddy as a mattress was a good idea.
Addox stilled, and Elvin met Franklin's gaze.He had him under control.
Time to end this.
Franklin spun Axton around and buried his claws in his abdomen.Shock traveled the bond, and he hoped Axar would forgive him.Then he focused on Mrs.Dusan instead of the mate bond."Do you want your son to live, Mrs.Dusan?"
Axton stood stock still, most likely too shocked to do anything.Blood was trickling, the fabric of his shirt soaking up some of it.
Mrs.Dusan stared.
"Right now, my claws are buried in his gut, but I haven't scratched around in there.I could, and you'd be in for a fun time, or I can gently remove my claws, allow you to rush him off to the hospital, and he'll most likely live a normal life.Maybe he'll lose some of his intestines, might need to make some dietary adjustments, might need to be tube-fed for a while, but he'll be good as new in a few months.Your call.Needless to say, should you ever come near me, my pack, Axar, or Addox again, I'll end him.Are we clear?"
Mrs.Dusan stared open-mouthed.It wasn't until Axton whimpered, she snapped out of it.
"You'll regret this."
"No, see."He gestured with his free hand at Axton's belly."Still buried inside your son.Do you want him to live?"
She nodded.
"So we have an agreement then?You'll leave us alone."
She nodded again.
"Say it."
"I'll leave you, Axar, and Addox alone."
"And my pack.No revenge on any of my pack members or Axton's life is forfeit."
"We won't touch the pack."
