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and he managed to imbed a horn into his back leg.
Jerking his head, he tore a muscle.
Bennett bellowed in pain and anger. Gathering
himself, the alpha charged again, this time at Kontra.
The bear wasted no time dropping to all fours before
bringing up one massive paw and swiping it toward the
charging buffalo. At the same time, Emmett pivoted
and kicked out with both back legs. Kontra s swipe
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connected with Bennett s shoulder. The strike sent him
rocking sideways toward the white buffalo, and
Emmett s large, sharp hooves connected with the
alpha s skull.
Emmett felt bone crack when the powerful blow
connected, sending a shudder up his spine and through
his body. The alpha fell to the ground, the impact of his
heavy body making the earth shake. Splaying his feet,
Emmett waited for the ground to stop trembling before
he turned around to look at the alpha.
His heart nearly stopped as he gazed at the hatred
gleaming from Bennett s brown eye. Seconds later, the
life drained from Bennett s body as surely as the blood
drained from the wounds on his head and chest. Emmett
initiated his shift, and once in human form, stumbled
sideways as pain flared through his hip where the alpha
had managed to catch him with a horn. A hairy arm
wrapped around his waist, steadying him.
He looked up at a human Kontra s face, but the bear
shifter s expression gave away none of his thoughts. To
his surprise, his new alpha seemed to know exactly
what Emmett was thinking. Those hard brown eyes met
his gaze and he said solemnly,  I take care of those
under my protection, Emmett. I warned him that if he
attacked you, he d face me.
 Wow. Emmett blew out a breath and stared at the
silent group. He jerked his gaze back to his new alpha
and whispered,  Thank you.
Kontra nodded once and released him. Caleb
instantly took his place supporting him, and Emmett
limped away from the dead Alpha Bennett. He moved
to Darrell s side and stared down at the man the vet had
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tried to protect for over eight years. Darrell s breaths
came in shallow gasps as Eli carefully poked and
prodded him, checking for internal injuries, measuring
the damage the horn thrust had caused.
The gang stood around them, making certain none of
the other buffalo shifters could draw near. Lydia knelt
by the man s head, smoothing the hair from his
sweating brow and murmuring non-sense.
 How is he? Emmett asked.
Eli didn t even acknowledge him, instead keeping
his focus on helping the downed buffalo. A small
shifter Emmett recognized as Yuma glanced his way
before helping Eli and Adam roll Darrell onto his back.
 He s not sure, yet, the small shifter admitted.
Adam gripped Darrell s shoulders while Yuma held
his head. Eli grasped Darrell s left leg firmly and
twisted. A sick snap resounded through the clearing,
and a quick sweep over the crowd showed Emmett that
he wasn t the only one cringing.
Eli looked toward Emmett, but it was behind him
that the dark-haired man focused. He knew Kontra
stood just behind him.  I need to get him out of here.
He has a broken leg, a hole in his side, and internal
bleeding that I can t pin down. He needs a shifter
friendly hospital, he whispered urgently.
Kontra jerked a nod.  Take him to the airport. I ll
make certain a jet is standing by and we ll take him to
Colorado. I ll let Lark know you re on the way. He ll
help.
Emmett had no idea who they were speaking of or
why they d send him to Colorado, but that didn t seem
to matter. To his surprise, Jason stepped forward.  I ve
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given the keys to my SUV to Noel. He ll bring it here.
Take it and get to the airport.
 Thank you, the alpha replied solemnly. Then he
looked at Lydia and said,  You can stay here with us or
bundle up your cubs and go with them. I know the
wolves will welcome you with open arms.
 Wolves? she whispered after a gulp.
 Yes, Kontra replied.  Lark is the mate of a wolf
shifter alpha and an experienced shifter doctor. They re
good men. They ll take care of you and your family
until Darrell is back on his feet. If you don t think you
can deal with the fact that they re a mated pair of gay
men, then stay here and Darrell will be returned as soon
as possible.
She stared at the alpha for a second, then she stared
down at her mate. Her silent debate was interrupted by
the roar of the engine of the approaching vehicle. She
kissed Darrell s forehead and then leaped to her feet.
 Me and the kids will be ready in a minute. I don t care
who the doctor loves. If he saves my mate, I ll forever
be in his debt.
Kontra nodded once, and she scurried into the house.
Randy left where he d been speaking with Lloyd and
followed his sister. Emmett knew she d have help from
her brother, but he couldn t help wondering what the
vet had been speaking with the beta about.
The vehicle pulled up as close to Darrell as possible
and a man slid from behind the wheel. He folded down
the rear seat and helped Eli and Yuma load Darrell into
the back of the vehicle, the two shifters climbing in
after him. Lydia and Randy reappeared, a confused cub
in each of their arms. After settling them into the
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vehicle, Randy took the keys from the man who must
have been Noel and climbed behind the wheel.
Randy paused and turned toward Kontra.  Thank
you for everything.
The big man grunted.
He must have realized that was the only response he
was likely to get from the alpha, for Randy closed his
door and brought the vehicle roaring to life. Emmett
watched with mixed emotions as the only friend he d
had for the last eight years guided the SUV into the
night, filled to capacity with Eli, Yuma, Darrell, Lydia,
and their two cubs.
A throat clearing drew Emmett away from where he
watched the SUV s taillights disappear into the gloom.
The beta, alpha now unless the herd voted for a new
leader, stepped in front of Emmett and help up the
newspaper cutting.  Your mate showed me the
newspaper article, Emmett. And Randy took a minute
to explain everything. I really liked Darrell and his
mate, and could never understand the excuses that
Bennett always came up with to refuse his promotion.
But he was the alpha. Lyle shrugged.  For the most
part, he was good for the herd. I understand how you
wouldn t agree, the man added, obviously reading
Emmett s incredulous expression.  I ve ordered your
father to be secured at the lodge. To complete your
restitution, I need to know what you want done with
him.
Emmett frowned, surprised by the man s blunt
statements. Blowing out a breath, he struggled to decide
what he really wanted. Lifting his gaze to the beta
turned alpha, he said,  I want Leonard to stay out of my
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way. I want to be able to see my mother, if she wants to
see me, and my brother and sister. I d like to make
certain he can t refuse them the opportunity, if they
wish it, to spend time with me.
The new alpha smiled and nodded.  That can be
arranged.
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Chapter Nine
aleb insisted on helping Adam clean and dress
C [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]