Judah (The Strong Pack Book 3) Page 14

  This werewolf had been like a second father to him once but now wished to kill him. Jude had to admit Hamish was a shitty father. It was time to disown him then kill him. There was no choice it was a matter of survival. Once again he felt the weight of Hamish on his back. He’d looked away just a second and that was all it took. As a soldier, he had never had a prophetic dream but he’d had gut feelings. It was almost like some higher being wanted to wake him up. His eyes opened looking right at his sleeping mate.

  “Mal?” he whispered willing her to wake.

  “What? What’s going on?”

  “I’m not sure but something is wrong.”

  He slipped out of bed leaving his mate behind. Leaving the room behind, he walked down the hall. The need to shift was overwhelming, but the healer had warned him they had no idea under the current circumstances what it might do to him. The pack house was nearly empty with most of the wolves hunting outside the perimeter for Kirk. Looking for the guards usually on duty outside, he saw no one right away.

  Taking a deep breath, the scent of blood hit his nose. Following the scent, he found Sam where he’d been dragged under a bush. Checking his pulse, he found it weak and thread but hoped he would survive. Now there was no doubt that an enemy was in his territory stalking him. It could only be Hamish. There would be at least one more guard but Jude couldn’t take the time to search him out. Calling for help would be a waste of time because this would all be settled before help arrived.

  It was important to keep his senses open so he would not be caught off guard. He regretted leaving Mal behind but maybe she would stay in the room and Kirk wouldn’t find her. Kirk’s scent was faint so he wasn’t nearby. Jude would have to hunt him down and it was best to be in wolf form. As he shifted, the pain was agonizing. That was what he had expected so he managed not to scream. His wolf huffed as he tried to catch his breath. The pain eased making him wonder if shifting wasn’t exactly what he had needed to do. He felt light headed for a few moments until that too passed.

  It was time to hunt and destroy. The faint lingering scent of Hamish was easy to follow. Jude headed right back toward the pack house. Hamish had circled it but Jude was willing to bet he’d gone inside so he just headed straight in. It turned out to be a good decision because Kirk had headed upstairs where Mal was. That was where Jude now headed taking the steps in leaps. Kirk had been here, right by the rooms he shared with Mal. Kirk wasn’t there anymore but neither was Mal. Had she left on her own or had Kirk captured her somehow?

  Worry overwhelmed him as he turned to head out after Hamish. He’d track him and if he found him he’d destroy him. Maybe the goddess had decided this was his duty because he’d fought with the general when he should have known enough to be against him. Jude just prayed the goddess would allow Mal to be harmed to punish him. His mate was an innocent in this situation. Her only sin was to fall in love with a male that didn’t deserve her. Even though that was true, if they both lived through this he would never let her go.

  It was a relief he didn’t scent his mate, only the general. He seemed to be heading away from pack lands now that he’d passed the perimeter. Didn’t he know he was being hunted out there? Either he didn’t know or he didn’t care. His trail would go right to his former camp. That was a morbid place to hang out at. There was dark magic lingering there and the foul odors of death and despair blanketed the whole field. Some of the guards had mentioned that wild animals dug up human remains fighting over the right to devour them. There was no doubt this was where Kirk headed because Jude could already smell the putrid aroma from where he was.

  Speeding up, he leaped over obstacles like tree limbs rushing to get there as fast as he could. Just because he didn’t scent his mate didn’t mean she might not be there. He was surprised that he’d not seen any of his pack mates in the area. So much so, it made him wonder if he was dreaming still. Rushing into the field Kirk had been headed to, he saw his former boss and current nemesis waiting for him.

  The other wolf nodded as if everything was going according to some nefarious plan he had. Jude intended things to go differently from what Kirk expected. In a fair fight, Hamish couldn’t win. That’s why Jude looked around for hidden traps or other enemies. Maybe the general was just feral and crazy. He might be delusional enough to believe he had a chance to win. Hamish had never been a physical fighter when Jude had been around him. It still wouldn’t pay to discount his abilities completely since he was an alpha wolf.

  Kirk growled at him flashing his teeth by curling his lips up. Jude just growled back and exposed his own impressive fangs. Posturing was a part of fighting for rank but this was fighting for the right to survive. Since Jude intended to be the only one walking away from this battle, he would fight the way Hamish desired. Kirk took a few steps closer but Jude just stood his ground. He narrowed his eyes trying to figure out if the general had any tricks up his sleeve.

  Fighting against others alphas was mostly about speed and strength, but sometimes strategy could play a part. Jude’s plan was to let Hamish come to him. He would just stay cool and in control, fighting back just as much as he had to until Hamish was tired. Once that happened, he would strike swift and sure. The easiest way to take out the opponent in a death match was to rip out his throat. It was bloody but quick. There was no long, drawn out struggle to remain alive.

  Kirk was almost to him now and he could smell his fetid breath proof that he had been eating rotting meat. Yuck! Kirk leaped at him trying for a quick finish but Jude moved causing Hamish to miss him entirely. The general turned quickly leaping at him again. This time Jude ducked but raked his teeth along his side drawing first blood. In a death match that meant nothing. Hamish growled angrily. The scent of blood now wafted on the air. Soon it would draw in others, both natural animals and shifters.

  His wound seemed to piss the general off. Maybe he was realizing he’d made a mistake by letting others do all the fighting for him. Kirk’s eyes glowed brighter with his feral nature. At least Jude had no doubt the wolf needed to die. It would make this easier. Jude growled, it was a challenge to the general. Kirk wheeled around attacking again as fast as he was able to. It wasn’t fast enough.

  Chapter 10

  All for Love

  Mal burst out of the tree line that edged the meadow where she could scent Hamish and her mate. Other wolves were closing in on their location but the smell of blood wafted to her. It wasn’t Jude’s blood that lingered in the air. Never the less it indicated a battle and those could always go either way. The last time they had met up refused to be erased from her memory. She recalled looking up when Jude growled to see Hamish hanging on to his back with his claws sunk in deep. That memory wasn’t a pretty one.

  Somehow strength had coursed through her allowing her not only to pull him off her mate in human form, but to shift speedily and chase the coward away. Never before had she felt so empowered and capable of taking on anyone. Had a higher power granted her the abilities she needed or had her own body simply used her fear of losing her mate and the anger she felt at the sneak attack to funnel adrenaline where it was needed in a giant dose? It didn’t matter because she had managed to do what was needed.

  Her eyes drank in the scene before her. Her wolf supplied the information to her brain so she would not react improperly. They were fighting, but this was a challenge and no one could interfere. Jude was on his own. Mal stepped up to here they fought watching the match from a close position. As others came, they joined her forming a circle. She didn’t understand it, but the fight never crossed out of the circle that was formed. It was uncanny but challenges were generally fought in circles like this only they were outlined by rocks.

  Kirk let out a low growl and Jude just growled back. Neither seemed intimidated by the other as Kirk went for Jude’s throat only to bite air. Jude managed to bit Kirk’s hind leg leaving him with a limp. Jude seemed almost to be playing with the general. She couldn’t understand why he just didn’t end it. Her wolf whispered
to her. Now she understood he was wearing him out. The battle was frustrating to watch. Jude snapped at Kirk catching his maw with the edge of a fang. More blood scented the air. Surely this couldn’t last much longer.

  Jude growled, Kirk had finally drawn blood near Jude’s ear. Her mate needed to duck quicker. Kirk’s wolf grinned and huffed. He was attempting to aggravate Jude but it didn’t seem to work. Her mate stepped back looking cool and calm. Jude stared at Hamish until the other wolf made a move. Jumping at her mate, Hamish got caught by the neck but Jude’s hold wasn’t good enough to kill with. His fangs did bloody Kirk’s neck. The scent of blood was now heavy in the air. It also looked like the general was beginning to see he might lose.

  Nothing was more dangerous than a desperate animal with nothing to lose. She felt as terrified as she had when the general had ripped strips of skin and meat off of Jude’s back. At that time the threat had been obvious, but now it could be anything. The only thing for sure was Kirk didn’t want to lose and was willing to do anything to prevent it. The silence was deafening as everyone watched the action with rapt attention. Jericho stood in the inner circle of spectators with T.J. next to him. It was amazing he could hold himself back when his little brother was in such danger.

  Nothing stunned her more than when she looked around until her eyes fell on Aristotle. All he did was watch carefully. She was beginning to discover some things she didn’t understand about these creatures she was now one of. How could they just allow this to continue? It was then that she realized that she wasn’t doing anything either. Her wolf wouldn’t allow it. Normally Mal was fully in control but right now her body seemed rooted to the spot and unable to move. As she watched, the fight began heating up with both wolves lunging at the other. Wounds from attacks were more common and while Kirk had more than his share, Jude was still taking damage.

  Growls were now continuous as they charged at each other slamming together with nips and bites all along their bodies. It was clear, to her if not anyone else, that Kirk was tiring and becoming clumsy. This last attack he had almost tripped over Jude as he went for his throat. Jude was cautious and watchful, but held back from making a vigorous attack, for now. It would calm her fears if she was more aware of his plan. Assuming he was wearing his opponent out and knowing, were two different things. Kirk was exhausted so why didn’t her mate just finish him? Mal knew a little about fighting and she would have gone for the kill by now. Something was different, maybe Jude was preparing to do as she hoped for. Kirk stepped back trying to find some rest. His eyes were glazed over with pain and the need to rest. The feral gleam in them was not as bright as it had originally been.

  Jude stalked nearer as if he intended to get around him. The general turned trying to keep him to his front. Her mate chuffed, almost as if he were laughing at Kirk. The other wolf was incensed causing him to tense like he planned to attack. Could this be the end? Mal’s body tightened in anticipation. It wouldn’t be long, hopefully. He continued to stalk closer as the general kept retreating and turning. The problem for Kirk was the circle was only so big. The wolf could run to a point, but there was no place to hide.

  Jude picked up speed which threw the general off. Hamish dodged, but Jude moved the same way. Mal thought she saw acceptance in Kirk’s eyes but the need to go out in a big way would also be on his mind. When the attack came, it caught everyone by surprise. It was brutal but fast. Jude lunged just under Kirk’s head grabbing his throat fully in his jaws. He didn’t hold back as he clamped down his fangs digging in as his jaws crushed the bones. The generals’ broken neck killed him instantly but if it hadn’t, he would have bled out quickly. There wasn’t much blood because his heart stopped pumping it. Only a little gathered on the ground where he had fallen.

  He stood over him as if stunned by what he had had done. Hamish was gone, but Jude still had to deal with the emotional and mental effects of his actions. Her mate had confided in her that killing had never come easy for him. Killing a former mentor would be that much harder. No one rushed into the circle because as her wolf explained, the victor had to leave the circle before anyone else could enter. Until then, the fight wasn’t officially concluded. His eyes glazed over and a look of shock on his face, Jude just stared down at Kirk but it didn’t look like he actually saw him. Perhaps memories from their shared past were on his mind.

  Mal wanted to help and she willed him to come to her. His head lifted as he turned to look right at her. Come to me, my love! Mal thought hard and he slowly moved forward. It amazed her that no one had made a sound yet. They all were waiting for his exit from the circle. Once Jude was out, others would take Kirk’s body to prepare it for a funeral pyre. For now, she could care less about the other wolf. It was her mate that held all of her attention and care. She wanted to scream come to me but the words echoed in her mind never making it past her lips.

  He came to her anyway, as he should. No one and nothing mattered as much as wrapping her arms around him to soothe his hurts and comfort his mind. In the end, that was what she did and all she could do. Wrapping her arms around him, she led him away towards the pack house hoping he wouldn’t turn and look back. She was relieved when he didn’t. It was a short brisk walk but seemed to take a lot out of him. Maybe the fight had drained him and the walk just took the little he had left. She practically dragged him into the pack house pulling him up the stairs to their room.

  Once inside, she quickly and efficiently stripped him bare before turning on the water in the tub. Undressing herself, she checked the temperature of the water finding it acceptable. Urging him to sit in the tub first, she joined him once he was settled. Sliding behind him so she could wash him, she leaned against him trying to relax.

  “I was worried.” She admitted. Her mate said nothing as she soaped up a washcloth that shed pulled out of a basket nearby. Mal poured body wash onto the cloth then softly rubbed it on him. “I could hardly breathe when I watched you fight.”

  Jude stayed silent making her wonder if he even heard her. She finished washing his back then moved on to one arm then the other. When she rubbed on his chest, he moaned. He was aware of her presence which was good. His wounds were healed but he’d been covered with dried blood and dirt until she bathed him. She paused in tending him unsure how to wash what she couldn’t reach. Gently, he tugged the cloth from her hands finishing the task.

  “I didn’t want to kill him but he gave me no choice.”

  “I saw that. You gave him a warrior’s death. Don’t punish yourself for that. It was what he chose for himself and you were the only one who could give it to him.” She could sense he was thinking on that. Maybe he wondered if she was trying to placate him, but she wasn’t. It was the way she saw things playing out. That death was one she personally would prefer to being slaughtered.

  “You truly believe that?” he asked hope in his voice.

  “I know it’s what I would prefer and even though he was crazy, he was always a warrior.”

  “That’s true. At one time I even think he was an honorable warrior. Somewhere along the way he went wrong. There was no choice but to stop him. Too many innocents would have been harmed. He no longer cared about others only his personal goals.” Jude still looked confused but that was better than drowning in guilt.

  Mal was hopeful now that she could bring him around. He began cleansing the rest of his body slowly. It was a good sign that he was coming back to her. She started to massage his shoulders. Hopefully he would relax and he did lean back into her a little. His skin was smooth and the muscles beneath so hard. Her breath sped up as she thought about doing more than just massaging him. Maybe if she could convince him to make love to her, it would remind him that they were both alive. That was what she wanted to celebrate, that by winning, he was alive and with her.

  There was no way to tell what he was thinking but she thought he felt guilt. If she were honest, she couldn’t understand why. Kirk had tried to turn Jude against his family. The male had lied and used her mate
for his own ends. Anything good he had done had only been to achieve his own purposes. It seemed Jude had forgotten the dark side of the general and only remembered the light. At least he was beginning to see reason.

  Jude stood up then held out his hand for his mate. She took it so he could help her up. They both dried off then headed to the bedroom. Mal was ready to reaffirm their love. As soon as they were near the bed, she jumped him. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs wrapped around his hips. She could feel his hard shaft rubbing along her crease. He pulled her up with one hand while the other placed his cock at her entrance before he slid all the way in. Moaning in pleasure, she tightened the muscles of her channel to give him a squeeze.

  He groaned as he turned to press her against the wall. Now he began to hammer in and out of her giving her amazing sensations. Mal hung on for the ride enjoying every second of it. In no time, she was screaming his name as bliss overcame her. Jude couldn’t hold off his release for long. Howling her name, he pumped into her until he had nothing left to give. This was just the beginning. Now that he’d broken loose from his funk, she intended to ride him hard and fast. Sex between them was amazing no matter how they did it.

  Lowering her to the bed, he followed her down. Caging her in between his arms, she loved the way his mouth sucked in one nipple then the other. “Mm, you taste so sweet.” Jude praised. She arched up against his mouth loving the wet heat that moved over her.