Chapter 15 #2
“You know that’s not how our clan operates.
” Their father’s deep, somber voice sounded from behind them as Paul Brigham joined them on the beach.
“The Malones and the Brighams have lived near each other for a very long time. We haven’t had any reason to battle in my memory, and I don’t see any reason to now. ”
“Neither do I,” Jace agreed.
“Seems like a waste to me,” Ross said flippantly.
Dex stepped up next to Will and casually shoved his hands in his pockets. “We will if we have to, of course.”
“This is how it is?” Tony challenged, his face turning several shades of red. “You’d all stand up and protect Will after all the trouble he’s caused for you?”
Ross snorted. “Some of us know how to let go of a grudge.”
If Tony heard him, he gave no indication. “And even worse, you’d lay down your lives for a human? I’m glad my father’s not around to see this bullshit. Of course, he’d be happy to see me kick your asses.”
Will spread his arms wide, giving himself up to the inevitable. He’d been avoiding this fight for a long time. Sure, he’d forgotten about it for a while, but the past would keep coming back for him until he faced it. “Kick away.”
“With pleasure.” Tony exploded into his bear form as he barreled into Will.
The air left his lungs. Will flew backward, and time stood still as he could see only the pale blue sky above him. The ground rose up to slam into his back, leaving him no chance to catch his breath.
Even without it, he managed to summon his bear.
It roared to life inside him and burst forth.
Fur bristled through his skin, and he lurched forward as his muscles and bones expanded.
His reforming face sent cracks and pops reverberating through his skull.
His bear, which had longed to come out and fight for all it was worth, was finally free.
But Tony was already on top of him. His big paws pummeled Will’s body, smacking and slapping with remarkable speed.
The weight crushed down on Will. He struggled to get his feet under him, but the deep sand was only making things more difficult.
He’d been too confident, starting this fight so close to his enemy.
The constant blows from Tony made it impossible to concentrate on the battle and find a way out of this.
Then suddenly, the bear on top of him was gone. Tony was rolling in the sand off to Will’s right, and Dylan, in his ursine form, was rolling along with him.
Thought you could use some help, Dylan said telepathically, his thoughts moving easily into Will’s mind.
Thanks. Will shoved his feet underneath him and hauled himself up onto all fours.
He gave himself a moment to take several deep breaths and let his lungs recover, but he zeroed in quickly on his next target.
Ross was battling with Aaron, the two of them equally matched, but Dan Malone was hurtling in to tip the scales.
Will put his head down and charged, knocking the massive bear into the shallow water.
Dan was just as big as his older brother, but he didn’t have the pure anger and hatred that fueled Tony. He roared his irritation as he got to his feet. He bared his teeth as he returned for the counterattack, just missing Will’s neck in the effort.
Will dodged. The sand had been just as much of his enemy as the Malones when he’d been floundering a moment ago, but now, Will felt like he was on familiar turf.
How many times had he and his brothers had their own mock battles out there?
They’d jostled and run, knowing how to dig in their heels and get power when they needed it.
Will missed Dan’s teeth just before they snapped down on him, and he quickly turned from defense to offense.
Dan had attacked with too much speed, leaving his flank open as he rushed past. Will darted forward and bit down hard into the soft flap of skin between Dan’s leg and belly.
He felt the pop in his mouth just before it filled with hot blood, and his ears filled with Dan’s howl.
It was a small victory, but it didn’t feel like a triumph when he knew what was at stake. I wish Julie had already left. I don’t care what happens to me. I just want her to be safe.
Which is exactly why you shouldn’t have tried to send her away. Dylan sounded surprisingly calm, considering he was still grappling with Tony.
Don’t you get it? Will let go of Dan as the other bear rolled to the sand in pain.
That’s just it. I do get it. I get it more than you understand. Dylan and Tony were locked in. The Malone Alpha had his teeth on Dylan’s ear, but Dylan was going for the throat. She’s your mate.
He hadn’t said that. Not out loud and not to Dylan. Apparently, he didn’t have to. Dylan knew, and Will was willing to bet that everyone else did, too. That obvious, huh?
No doubt. I know that feeling. I did plenty of foolish things for Stacey, and I’d do them all over again.
A bear had caught Pierce in his jaws, trying to use his brute strength to take down the wolf. Will slammed into his side, tackling the Malone to the ground. But being with me—or even anywhere near me—means she’s in danger. I won’t be able to live with myself if anything happens to her.
And do you think you could live with yourself if she’d actually left?
Dylan challenged. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you, and she’s your real chance at having something good in your life.
I know all your reasoning behind what you did, but I’m telling you that you can’t let someone like that slip through your fingers. Not for any reason.
What about this reason? Another Malone, one that Will didn’t know, was charging him.
His claw streaked past Will’s face and sank into his neck, digging in deeply.
The sudden stab of pain sent Will reeling.
The leg under the injured shoulder gave out, giving his enemy the advantage.
The unidentified Malone dove on top of him, thinking he could use his weight to win.
Will saw his own advantage and took it, paying him back with his claws as he ripped into the other bear’s underbelly.
Blood gushed out over Will and soaked his fur, but his opponent pitched away from him.
I wanted to avoid this. I didn’t want anyone else to have to make any more sacrifices for me.
You’re still going through life as if you’re alone, Will, but you’re not. We’re here for you, and that means we’re here for Julie, too. Whatever it takes.
Aaron had slipped away from Ross and was heading to help Tony.
Will braced his weight on his back legs and then launched into the air, pouncing on Aaron.
The youngest Malone brother was slightly smaller than his older brothers, and he couldn’t hold up to Will’s raw strength, collapsing into the sand.
He was out of commission, at least for the moment, so Will surveyed the battle scene for his next challenger.
His whole family had turned out. His brothers and parents were arrayed on the beach, taking on the Malones without his request. His cousin Holly was right there with them, her bear just as fierce as the men.
The two wolves that ducked and dodged through the fray were no match for the size of the bears, but they made up for it with their speed and agility.
Rick and Pierce had no blood ties to him, yet they fought.
Brilliant sparks of light burst all around him.
These came from Erin and Chelsea. They stood further up on the beach, back toward the clanhouse, firing their magic from a distance.
All around him, Will’s family and friends were fighting for him. He hadn’t asked any of them to do so, but they’d shown up. There were no questions. They didn’t have to decide if Will was wrong or right first, if they should defend him and help keep his mate safe. They were simply there.
At that moment, Will realized Dylan was right.
He’d changed in many ways and had been trying so hard to make up for his past, but he was spending too much time looking over his shoulder.
He had to turn around and see what was in front of him.
That was Julie, yes, but it was also the full support of his family.
Will had been operating on his own for so long that it’d become ingrained in him.
He didn’t ask the rest of his clan for anything because he’d trained himself to believe he didn’t deserve it.
The fact that he’d made amends wasn’t enough.
He couldn’t just shake hands and call it good. He needed to know it, and now he did.
Was it too late?
Tony had overpowered Dylan. The big bear stood over the Brigham Alpha.
Blood, diluted with saliva, dripped from his teeth as he roared his imminent victory.
The Malones wanted blood and vengeance, and they’d already proven that they wouldn’t stop until they got it.
Will knew, though, that Tony was about to take that vengeance out on the wrong man.
He bellowed as he hurtled toward the two Alphas, diving between them just as Tony delivered the final blow.