Tiger Stripes And Wolf Bites

Page 11

I lost track of movements just praying that my mates wouldn't get to injured. A shotgun blast was heard.

Granny? Surely she wasn't foolish enough to wade into this mess. She was obviously. I saw her step around the corner Marcus had come from and she lifted the gun and pointed it at the fighting men. But cursed and made her way around to me. I pressed the bassinet into her arms.

"Luke don't you dare, you'll get hurt."

"So will they. Promise me you'll guard my babies."

"With my life sweetheart." I gave my babies a look then turned letting my tiger fill me. He'd threatened us for the last time. I waited for my mates to break apart and leaped. My claws always sharp tore through his skin leaving gashes down his side. I wasn't a fool. I knew that I couldn't win a head on fight but I was smaller and I was quicker. No sooner than he'd turn to face me then I'd dart past him cutting him.

'Luke, get back he'll kill you.' I heard Brice yell at me.

'Please love let us handle him.'

'No he's threatened me and my family for the last time.' I leapt my anger and tiger getting the best of me and pushed him right through the front window and out among the fighting. His giant paw hit me sending me sprawling but I got up and rushed him again. I only barely registered the men and women, wolves and tigers coming to a stop around us. They watched with avid interest as we fought. He was big and he was slow. I used that to my advantage.

'I'll bleed you a little at a time until there's nothing left' I said giving a growl at him.

'I don't want to kill you Luke but I will if you keep this up.'

'Try it you bastard.' As we fought I noticed him start to flag he still moved still tried to get me but I was faster. I laid open more of his side and he jerked stumbling away from me. I saw my mates with our children safe behind them. This needed to end. I leapt dodge his paw and came up to sink my teeth and fangs deep into his throat I held on as he jerked and moved hitting me repeatedly with his powerful paws trying to dislodge me. His claws digging at me. He flagged, he was trying to breath but I had his airway cut off. He went limp but I didn't let go I held on wanting to be sure he was dead. I felt someone come up behind me and turned my head dragging his carcass. It was Brice back in human form.

"He's dead it's over." I looked around me. The tigers were standing down dropping in submission to... me. I let go of Marcus and stood looking around at them. I'd beaten the clan leader one on one. I was head of the clan now. They'd wait for orders. I saw Tony inch forward his belly nearly dragging on the ground in submission.

'I never thought you'd have it in you, alpha.' He said to me through the clan link. 'What are your orders?'

'Take the wounded and leave pack land. Go to town and wait.'

'Yes alpha.' Tony turned to the clan and led the way. The wounded were collected the dead were left and they headed back the way they'd come. I heard the pack alpha shouting for the enforcers to escort them to the border. I shifted back to human and turned to Marcus. His tiger had receded and he lay there eyes unseeing. Brice came to me concern in his eyes.

"When I killed Ryan you said you didn't want me to have to deal with it, that it would change me."

"But you'd killed before. His death was hard on you but I realized it wouldn't break you. You'd been through it before."

"Luke my love, this will change you. I wish you'd have let us deal with him." I gave sad smile.

"Like you he is not my first kill, what change death can do has already been done." I saw and felt the surprise from both my mates. My normal personality wasn't one that would make you think I'd killed before. I ignored the questions in his eyes and went straight for my babies. Grannie sat the bassinet on the ground. I lifted them up one by one to snuggle them and kiss them. I ignored the pack, the alpha coordinating clean up and care of the injured. I focused on my babies that were now completely safe. My mates knelt beside me still watching me closely. I gave them each a glance.

"I'll tell you about it some time. But not now." They nodded and just sat there with me. when alpha came over I stood and waited for the admonishment that I new would be coming. I'd put myself and other in danger by acting as I had. I wasn't prepared for the bear hug he gave me.

"You scared the living daylights out of everyone with that stunt. I'm glad you are okay though. Just goes to show you never get between a mama and their babies." I chuckled. "Though this presents a bit of a dilemma though."

"What do you mean?" I asked

"Well, you beat him in one on one combat to the death. You are clan alpha now. But you are mated to the packs beta's it's a sticky conundrum."

"By tiger law I can pass the day to day responsibility to my second. It's not unusual for an alpha to have more than once clan to oversee. I can even in time leave the clan to a tiger of my choice." I shrugged. "Tony will do a good job for me until I can leave the clan to him permanently. Having seen me beat Marcus I don't think I'll get much resistance to what I want." Brice chuckled and wrapped his arms around me.

"Look at you, big bad clan leader. So sure of yourself. Very sexy." I smiled up at him and looked for Brayden he was standing back a little ways looking at the body of Marcus being carted away to be buried. It'd be unmarked as fitting a pack enemy. I pulled from Brice to go to him.

"Brayden? Are you okay?" He looked at me for a moment before snatching me up in his arms holding me tight enough I had a hard time breathing.

"Bray, babe I can't breathe." He loosened his hold but didn't let go. He buried his nose at his mark and inhaled deeply.

"I could have lost you. It was all I was thinking. I could have lost you before I could tell you how much I love you and I do love you so much. You are my mate the mother of my children and the thought of losing you made my heart stop. I'd tie you to the bed for the rest of eternity if I thought I could get away with it."

"I love you too Bray." I murmured into his hair. I felt his grin against my neck.

"What about me?" Brice said giving a put on pout next to Brayden's ear. Bray lifted his head and gave Brice a kiss.

"I love you too dumb ass." Brice smiled at him.

"So do I." I said pulling Brice in for a kiss.

"And I love you," He kissed me sweetly and then turned to his brother, "and even you despite the fact you called my ass dumb."

"It's a very lovely ass though." Brayden said.

The alpha cleared his throat bringing our attention back to him. I was finally set back on my feet. I went straight to the babies to check on them. Grannie sat in a law chair next to them.

"It's been a long night. Take your cubs and go back up stairs. We'll finish up down here." I thanked grannie for her help with a hug and with my mates escorting us we went back upstairs. Before we could get settle in we had three bottles to give three diapers to change and my son wanted to be rocked to sleep.