Page 66 of Ascendant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #6)
Bruce took a step back and assessed the young buck more closely as the surrounding crowd murmured in agreement. The man was powerfully built for a Beta, and at least a decade younger. If he truly was Lincoln’s mate, they hadn’t sealed it with a bite, and Bruce had the stronger claim.
“Lincoln smells like ME, not you, and that pup is mine.”
The younger man stood his ground.
“That’s because you raped and impregnated him against his will. Then you locked him up like a dog and kept him prisoner. You used and abused my mate, and now I’m going to kill you.”
Four burly enforcers stepped forward to surround a whimpering Lincoln and escort him to the sidelines.
It was only now that Bruce noticed he was standing in a challenge circle, completely surrounded by the pack.
Behind them was a second ring of muscle, and none of them looked friendly.
He found Ben in the crowd and pointed at him.
“You lied! This was a setup! Lincoln Hart belongs to me and you know it.”
Ben’s eyes changed to glowing amber as he growled loud and low.
“Lincoln belongs with his true mate, and the national council has already condemned you. Your only choice right now is to face the challenge or my security team. Either way, you die.”
“NOOOOOO!”
Scooter and Bruce shifted at the same time and began circling one another.
They were well matched, with Scooter being faster and Bruce heavier.
The first clash lasted only seconds leaving both men bloodied but retreating.
Evan was busy helping a frightened Lincoln while Jack focused on Ballard.
Ben, too, had quickly stripped down—ready to jump in if need be, not trusting Bruce to fight with honor.
Scooter watched his opponent for the tell that would give Bruce away and provide him an advantage.
The man’s tail twitched ever so slightly just before Ballard came at him like a bullet, and Scooter jumped aside to rake his flank with sharp claws.
Bruce used his weight to knock Scooter to the ground, aiming open jaws at his exposed throat.
Scooter’s longer legs tossed Ballard in the air, allowing him to roll over and fasten his fangs on the man’s right forepaw.
Bruce lunged, head-butting Scooter, ripping off an ear, and freeing his injured leg.
They were both bleeding freely now, retreating to circle again and looking for the final advantage to end this contest. Only shifter senses could have followed what happened next as both men moved at the same time, meeting in a tumbling clash of fang and fury.
Blood spattered those nearby as they sank sharp teeth into soft flesh, shredding one another in a frenzied tangle that left both men compromised.
Between his injured leg and flayed chest, Bruce had one last chance to take down his opponent and lunged at Scooter.
Overcome with fear for his mate, Lincoln let loose with a spine-tingling howl that momentarily startled Bruce.
It was just enough of a distraction, and just in time, for Scooter to clamp powerful jaws around Ballard’s exposed throat.
Flinging the older wolf from side to side resulted in the sickening crunch of broken vertebrae, and Bruce went limp with a final gasp.
Scooter dropped the lifeless Beta and attempted a victory howl, but collapsed on the blood-soaked grass.
Lincoln tried desperately to wiggle free, growling and snapping at the men who held him back.
Donna and Erin rushed to Scooter’s side, only to find that he was bleeding out, and called for a volunteer to transfuse him.
Ben shifted and dropped down next to his packmate before anyone else could respond.
The ladies hooked them up with practiced ease, and then Donna reached for needle and thread to patch up Scooter before it was too late.
Helpless and worried, the crowd watched as she worked feverishly to staunch the flow, drawing on her emergency room experience.
No one spoke as they waited to see some sign of hope.
Evan was compelled to kneel next to Ben, even as Lincoln was released and scurried over to his mate, offering soft yips and gentle licks to his face.
Donna waited as long as she could and then removed the needle from Ben to ask for another volunteer.
Lou came running this time to take his place, deep concern etched on his rugged features before he stripped and shifted.
Time stood still as Donna monitored Scooter’s heartbeat and breathing.
Some in the crowd were now crying, others huddled together in fear or to share comfort.
Several more agonizing minutes passed before Lou reached his donation limit, and Donna stopped the transfer to begin issuing orders.
“Ben and Lou need to eat and sleep. Scooter can be safely moved now, but I need two volunteers to carry him to the infirmary and another blood donor.”
Lincoln backed away to give them room to work and bumped into Bruce’s ravaged, broken body. Instead of shying away, he squatted over his dead abuser and pissed on the carcass. Satisfied by such a fitting farewell, he then howled in victory and followed after his injured mate.
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Infirmary, late afternoon
Exam Room One now held side-by-side exam tables so that Lincoln could stay with his mate while he slept.
It had taken two more hours of touch-and-go treatment, plus a forced feeding of pureed meat (that Lincoln couldn’t watch) to stabilize Scooter.
Donna explained that the severity of his injuries required a lot of healing sleep and did what she could to make both of them comfortable.
Perdy brought a hearty snack for Lincoln early on, and then returned with a full meal for supper.
While Scooter slept, surrounded by calming scent, Lincoln had plenty of time to reflect on the challenge and its aftermath.
His fiercely protective mate had almost died in the fighting, and Lincoln nearly burst with pride—grateful that Bruce was finally dead.
No more living in fear. No wondering if the evil man would reappear in the future to claim his pup.
No chance for him to abuse or threaten someone else.
Oscar’s devious plan worked perfectly, and both he and Colton were pleased to know that Bruce would never hurt another soul.
According to Evan, those who had donated blood were now feeling fine and back on their feet.
Lincoln tried to convey how grateful he was for their help in saving Scooter, along with Donna and Erin, though Lincoln wished he could verbally express his feelings.
He’d have to wait a few more weeks to do it properly, and by then, he’d have a little one to care for and a mate to become acquainted with in human form.
A soft knock on the door interrupted Lincoln’s rumination, and Melva’s familiar scent preceded her into the room. She came directly over to give him a hug and then laid her hand gently on Scooter’s head.
"You must be proud of your mate. He was magnificent out there, avenging you and ridding the world of Bruce’s poison.
At first, I didn’t care how it happened, but it was much more satisfying this way.
I’m sorry he got hurt so badly, but Donna does good work.
I’ve heard some of Gladstone’s stories, and I’m convinced that if Luna has favorites, this place must be one of them.
“I thought you should know that I called Ginny to tell her the news. She was happy and relieved to hear it and promised to share it with Alpha Reynolds. Ben told me that President Sheppard was mighty pleased at the way things turned out, and that Eagle River’s new Alpha is cleaning up the mess Richmond left behind.
It feels good to finally relax, doesn’t it?
You don’t have to be afraid anymore, Lincoln; not with Scooter and a whole pack to keep you safe. ”
Shortly after Melva left, RJ, Jonah, and Evie came for a visit.
Evie began to cry when she saw the condition Scooter was in, gently stroking his remaining ear.
Most of the blood had been washed away after he’d been stabilized, but the poor wolf truly looked awful.
Standing on his hind legs, Jonah licked the tears from her face and then shook his head.
The bitter tang of her distress was not what Scooter or Lincoln needed at the moment, and she focused on using her scent to comfort instead. RJ praised her.
“That’s it, Evie. I know it’s hard to see him this way, but Scooter will be back to normal in a day or two. After he shifts, he’ll look just the way he always did.”
Lincoln knew exactly what was happening with Evie because he’d experienced it himself.
No one, not even an Omega, could always be cheerful, upbeat, and unaffected by the pain and sorrow of others.
They were drawn to it as part of their caregiving nature, but it didn’t mean they were unmoved by its effects.
RJ let Lincoln know what had been happening around packlands since the challenge, though he left certain things out.
Ballard’s body had been removed for burial after Evan collected some fur and soil for the memory pouch, and he intended to make discreet inquiries about any living relatives.
Afterward, the challenge circle was hosed down to remove the blood and gore, and the security team resumed their normal patrols.
Everyone from Ben on down was breathing easier now that Ballard was out of the picture, and life at Gladstone resumed its normal ebb and flow.
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