Page 52

M y plan was to swing by the Rabbit Lounge, grab dinner for my father and me, and head home to break the news that I was getting hitched. But when I entered the bar and overheard Lucian making a public claim that he wanted to challenge Henry, I could have seriously swooned.

Instead, I kept my cool and listened by the door.

Tak and his beta exploded out of their seats to stop Henry’s friend from going after Lucian.

Then the knife came out. It wasn’t my job to intervene in personal affairs unless I was called on, but Henry’s volatile expression was a look I’d seen enough times to realize this scene was about to escalate.

“Lucian has my approval to make this challenge,” Tak said. “Should we take it to the Council?”

“That won’t be necessary.” I strutted across the bar, commanding everyone’s attention in my red blouse and tight black skirt. “Tak, put the knife away. If this man tries anything, he’ll go straight to jail.”

Henry yanked the alpha’s long braid, causing him to step back but not falter. “She said put the knife away.”

Tak swung around and sliced his knife over Henry’s head. “Touch my hair again.”

Henry brushed his hand over his head, and locks of his wavy blond hair fell to the floor.

“I need everyone to stop,” I commanded when I reached them.

Tak sheathed his weapon but not before he and Lakota shoved Henry’s companion into the recessed area.

Lucian jumped off the table and moved between Henry and me like a shield.

Anger flickered in Henry’s eyes as he lowered his arm. “This whole charade is ridiculous. Tell him you’re mine.”

I crossed my arms. “Henry, I’ve accepted your proposal, but as Councilwoman, I’m not above the law.”

“He’s a Chitah!”

“And you’re a Mage. That puts us in quite the threesome, doesn’t it?”

A few chuckles overlapped from the onlookers.

“Not only does Chitah law support his challenge, but so does Shifter law. If a suitor is willing to risk his life in a challenge, it’s not a request we take lightly.”

“And if I refuse?” he said with a glare

Lucian tilted his head to the side. “What makes you think she’ll choose a mate who won’t die for her?”

“Shut the hell up!” Henry snapped.

Lucian drew closer and lowered his voice so no one could hear. “You and I can settle this, or I’ll take my evidence to the Mageri.”

A chill snaked down my spine when Henry sharpened his gaze. Uncertain whether I should pretend I hadn’t heard Lucian’s quiet accusation, I didn’t react.

Even without the murder or coercion, I wanted to know if this man was willing to risk his life for me.

Deacon hadn’t so much as put up an argument when I rejected him.

And here Lucian was, a man who had lost his opportunity, fighting just to set me free.

No promises, no expectations. He knew what he stood to lose.

If Henry wanted to pursue me, he had no choice but to accept the challenge.

With bated breath, I watched in hopes that he would capitulate and relinquish his claim.

Instead, Henry shucked off his grey suit jacket and draped it across a chair. “Something tells me you’re bluffing. You wanna go, Chitah? Let’s go. Come on. Don’t start something you can’t finish.”

“Take it outside!” Calvin thundered from the bar. “Already had to replace three tables this month.”

Chairs scraped against the floor as a throng of people shouldered their way through the main entrance to the parking lot.

Lakota sidled up to Lucian and whispered angrily while shaking his head.

Lucian slowly pushed him back. “Don’t intervene.”

“You’re my family,” Lakota argued, his eyes misting.

My heart pounded with fear as this spiraled out of control.

Lucian pivoted as if scenting my anxiety and stalked toward me. He cradled my neck and landed a passionate kiss before wrapping his arms around me. “I need to do this, female. I promised to protect you.”

“I love you.”

He squeezed me tighter, and it carried more meaning than all the other times because it could be our last one.

“It’s not too late to change your mind,” I said quietly against his neck. “Nobody would judge.”

“I would.” He drew back, and tears clouded his eyes. “Nothing ever mattered this much to me. He’s extorting you. Even if you deny me, you’ll be free of him. That’s all I want for you.”

I flattened my hands on his shoulders and steeled myself. “You’re a worthy male, Lucian Cross.”

A proud look overcame him.

“No matter what happens, you will always be my male.”

His upper fangs punched out. Lucian’s purr couldn’t erase my anxiety, but I savored it for what could be our last moment together.

When I looked over my shoulder, I realized everyone had cleared out.

“Don’t make a mess out there, Chitah,” Calvin warned, his long grey hair touching the bar as he wiped it down. “Good luck. That guy’s an asshole and overcharges for his wine, so you’ll be doing us all a favor.”

Melody frantically sent a text message on her phone while Tak continued his intimidation tactics on Henry’s companion to keep him from intervening.

“Go on with your pack. I’ll keep an eye on him,” Calvin said. “Get over here, Mage. Unless you want to get blacklisted for life, grab the mop and start cleaning my floor.”

The bearded man reluctantly shouldered past Tak and joined Calvin at the bar.

We followed Lucian outside. Some customers had dispersed, which left much of the parking lot open.

Henry smoothed back his choppy hair and winked at me. “A kiss for luck?”

I leaned against a red car and crossed my arms.

“Ouch. That’s gotta hurt,” someone heckled.

Melody joined my side and blew out a nervous breath while Lucian stripped off his tank top. The clouds briefly broke, and a bright moon peered down at the two men circling each other.

Henry flashed first, but Lucian was swifter. Each man demonstrated his gifts to intimidate the other.

Feathery threads of electricity crackled from Henry’s fingertips.

Tak stood beside Lakota. “Have you ever seen Lucian flip his switch?”

Lakota nervously shook his head. “He won’t win this fight unless he does.”

Henry exploded into action. He flashed at Lucian and blasted him, but Lucian pivoted away before Henry could knock him to the ground.

Lucian’s sinewy physique was exquisite. The catlike way he moved and stalked his prey summoned my inner animal to watch. He lunged at Henry and snatched hold of his wrists, but Henry wrenched free and flashed across the lot.

Lucian blurred so fast that one minute he was standing in the open, and the next he was on top of Lakota’s black truck.

Henry whirled around to locate him. Before he looked up, Lucian sprang off the truck roof and knocked him to the ground.

The onlookers cheered, some discreetly whispering what I could only presume were bets.

I involuntarily drifted toward the combatants as if pulled by strings but stopped short when someone held me back.

They rolled on the ground like two tornadoes. Lucian grappled Henry’s wrists before Henry blasted him with more energy.

Lucian gasped for air, and the crowd grimaced.

“Flip your switch,” I whispered.

He bared his teeth and gnashed at Henry’s arm, but the Mage scuttled away and ran to the left.

One of the onlookers shoved him back in.

Henry hastily assessed his arm before wiping the blood on his slacks.

“He might’ve gotten a fang in,” Lakota remarked from behind me.

“Any venom?” Tak asked.

“Can’t tell.”

Lucian roared and slammed into the Mage. Henry gripped Lucian’s head, but Lucian spun out of his clutches.

I let go of a breath.

“Ready to give up?” Henry bellowed. “Surrender while you still have your life. You can’t overtake me. You’re weaker. I can feel it, and so can you.”

Lucian gave him a baneful look as blood dripped from his nose onto his chest. “I’ve heard rumors about you. The females whisper about how small your dick is.”

The crowd roared with laughter. Dick jokes were always a crowd pleaser because of how easily men were offended.

“It’s true!” a woman blurted out. “Like a raccoon.”

“And how would you know that , Evelyn?” a man quipped.

“Because I dated a raccoon Shifter once. Trust me, I know.”

Everyone howled with laughter.

If Henry had an insecurity, Lucian just found it. Henry’s anger detonated, and he bolted like a bull in the streets of Pamplona.

Lucian ducked at the last minute and rushed forward, flipping Henry into the air and onto his back. When he faced him, Henry flung a handful of gravel into his eyes.

“Argh!” Lucian frantically wiped his eyes.

Henry seized his chance. He gripped Lucian’s throat and slammed his energy-filled hand against his chest. Lucian shot back five feet and smashed into Lakota’s truck. He slumped over, leaving a dent in the door.

Tak’s white truck barreled through the parking lot from the main road. It barely stopped before several Arrowhead pack members jumped out and joined the onlookers.

“Get up, Lucian!” Archer shouted.

They’d shown up to cheer him on, but I prayed they weren’t about to watch him die.

Henry cackled as he sat astride Lucian and unleashed one punch after the next. Lucian was barely conscious as his head whipped left to right, then back again.

Tak stepped past me. “Get up!”

I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. Please, Lucian, get up. Please.

My thoughts were spinning as people shook their heads and turned away.

Blood sprayed left and right with every brutal punch. Lucian’s arms lay flat on the ground, no sign of movement. It gutted me to hear his pack calling out to him while Henry pummeled him like a punching bag.

Finally, when Henry was winded, he sat back and looked right at me. “This is for you, sweetheart.”

I watched in horror as Henry rose up on his knees and hovered over Lucian as if giving him CPR.

Chitahs were hard to kill and could recover from seemingly grave injuries, including energy blasts. But when a Mage reversed their power, they could juice every drop of energy from their victim until they ceased to exist.

Henry reclined his head and smiled like a man savoring a beer on a hot summer day.