Chapter 19 Harland
HARLAND
Harland didn’t know how long he and Marcus wrestled on the ground, the pair of them getting more and more exhausted, clinging to each other and trading bites and swipes of their claws, before it became clear that the fight would end in a stalemate.
That never happened.
“Fucking vampire,” Marcus growled, sounding winded and at the end of his rope.
“Just submit!” Harland growled back, biting down on the other man’s neck and trying to force his submission.
It was not the first time he’d tried, and Marcus had made an equal number of attempts of his own.
Neither one of their inner wolves was willing to show their bellies.
Harland was fighting at a disadvantage, he reminded himself in a desperate attempt to soothe his ego. It had been centuries since he’d fought another werewolf. He was rusty, and he did not have access to the speed he enjoyed as a vampire when he was in his alpha form.
As much as he hated to admit it, his current form was a significant trade-down from his usual abilities, but the only way to win this fight and have it count was to do it as a wolf.
If he couldn’t win and make it count, he’d just have to win.
There was no way he was giving up Warren, and no way in hell he was letting anyone take Max. He’d shift back to his vampire form and take Marcus’s head off before he let that happen, no matter how dishonorable or despicable that made him.
“You are such an asshole,” Marcus grunted, punching Harland repeatedly in the face until he was forced to let go of his neck.
Harland let out a growl, tightening his hold on Marcus’s body and refusing to let him move.
Marcus had his own hold on him, pinning his leg and left arm, and until one of them made a move, the stalemate would continue.
“I’m going to take everything you have,” Marcus grunted. “This house. Your territory. Your mate. Everything!”
Harland blocked him out, secure in the knowledge that it would never happen.
“Maybe I’ll visit your pack after I deal with you, finish what I started,” he taunted back.
Marcus roared, and Harland roared right back at him.
“I can stay right here until the sun comes up.” Marcus made another attempt at biting him, but Harland met the display of teeth with a headbutt. Marcus’s teeth sliced into his forehead, blood dripping down Harland’s face and into his eyes.
“I’m in my alpha shift, you idiot. It won't affect me.” Harland headbutted Marcus again, hard enough that stars danced across his vision.
Harland had no idea whether or not he had any protection from the sun in this form, but he wasn’t going to admit that to the other alpha.
If only Marcus could be sensible and submit, then they could put all this ugliness behind them. Harland wouldn’t lay claim to any of Marcus’s territory – he was content with his own – and he wouldn’t force Marcus to leave.
They could come to an arrangement.
Despite what he’d said, and despite Marcus being an idiot of the highest order, Harland trusted his instincts enough to believe with certainty that Marcus was meant to join him and Max in their claim on Warren.
The three of them belonged together, but the shape of what fate intended for them couldn’t be made clear until Marcus gave in and accepted that he had to submit!