Chapter 40
Wolves devoured the weak. For them, it was kill or be killed.
So when Grant suddenly whispered a sharply spoken “s hit”, the whole pack immediately became alert. It only took a moment for everyone to identify the source of the alarm. George had closed his car door and was approaching Holden with his shotgun in hand, c ocked and ready.
If Callum was concerned, it didn’t show. He simply wrapped his hand around Amber’s, then began guiding her through the people circling them, following her stepfather at an annoying leisurely pace. Amber stomach rolled, and a lemony bitterness rose to coat the back of her throat. She swallowed several times to combat nausea that had suddenly enveloped her, keeping her head high as her gaze swept over the men behind Holden. Like Callum, they also revealed no emotion. She couldn’t tell if they were curious or angered by her stepfather’s presence.
George hiked his gun higher and pointed it at Holden. “Bet you didn’t expect to see me again, did you?” he rasped, his hands and voice both steady. At that moment he seemed so much more fiercer.
“Mr. Quinn,” Holden replied evenly without a hint of fear as he shifted his attention to her.
Blue-Green irises shone like blades of the gla**y sea, the edges along the pupil brighter in color. She’d often wondered why George had seemed sad when he looked at her sometimes. Now she understood. He hadn’t seen his stepdaughter when he looked at Amber. He’d seen the man who’d taken what he’d loved most and cast her aside. Seen the man who although he didn’t deserve it, was the biological father of the daughter he’d raised.
“Don’t even think about it, George rumbled when he noticed how Holden was staring at Amber. “You stay away from her.”
Holden ignored him, staring straight at her. “Welcome home, daughter.”
The loud snap of the shotgun being pumped sent Amber’s breath down a cliff, the ground beneath her feet feeling as though it had disappeared.
No, no, no.
She couldn’t let this happen. She’d lost too much to lose the only men she’d ever known as family.
Her feet moved of their own accord, covering the distance between her and the man who’d raised her. Callum easily kept pace, his grip on his fingers increasing. His touch reminded her that he was there and that she wasn’t alone.
“George Quinn is here at my request, Callum called out, ensuring everyone within earshot heard his declaration. “He wishes to validate my mating to the stepdaughter he’s nurtured since birth.”
The calmness Holden was maintaining slipped. “No f ucking way.”
George stopped a few feet away from Holden, his shotgun braced on his shoulder. The wind swept through his graying hair, sending strands along his temple. “Give me a reason to pull the trigger, co cksucker.” In one smooth motion, George had the barrel of his gun aimed directly at Holden’s groin. “I’ll start here and work my way up.”
“That won’t be necessary, Callum quipped with a trace of humor. “Will it, Holden?”
“A wolf with an ounce of respect would have consulted me about the mating,” Holden growled as his glowing eyes landed on Callum. “You should have come to me the moment you learned about her.”
Amber jerked when the gun went off. The ground beside Holden’s feet exploded, sending gra** and earth sca ttering in the air. Everyone’s attention went to her stepfather, who carefully eased the gun up until he once again had Holden in his sights.
“You’ve got some nerve talking about respect. You wouldn’t know the definition of the word if someone slapped you in the face with a dictionary”
Holden’s lips compressed, his eyes narrowing to slits. He turned his head and met Amber’s gaze. It felt like cotton had been shoved into her mouth, making her throat agonizingly dry. She had to steel herself not to turn away or lower her eyes. Her wolf was newly born but she felt its presence. It wanted to take over and a**ert control. Power inched over her, cocooning
13:25 Fri, 7 Jul
Chapter 40
her like a blanket, seeping through her skin.
“Be careful, Holden, William cautioned and took a step forward. ‘She’s unstable. Push her too far and she’ll cr ack.”
“She’s not unstable,” George corrected coldly. “She’s just got a keen nose for bul ls hit. Shifting his feet, he declared, “My stepdaughter wants to get hitched. Since her groom-to-be showed enough respect to ask for my blessing. I’ve given it to the happy couple. If any of you have a problem with that, now’s the time to say so,”
Corresponding silence seemed to go on forever, especially with Holden staring directly at her. Her heart clenched as she thought about her mother. The woman who’d given her life had never stood a chance. Holden was extraordinarily handsome with his blond curls and bright eyes. Like the werewolves around them, he was also perfectly built, with muscles evident beneath his expensive clothing.
“Holden. William placed a hand on the Alpha’s shoulder. “You can’t dispute the claim. If you do, you’ll risk the future of your pack”
“The future of the pack is what put me in this position,” Holden snarled and shook off Willam’s hand. Ignoring the gun pointed at him, he started toward Amber and Callum. She considered stepping back but
Amber didn’t allow it, squeezing her fingers almost to the point of pain.
“Is this what you want?” Holden didn’t stop until mere inches separated them. This close she could see the lines around his eyes, the pain on his face. Is he who you want?”
Callum had warned her not to talk but there was no escaping it.
There’s no one else for me. I’ll have no other,” she responded, remembering Callum’s earlier declaration. Leaning to the side, she braced herself against Callum, comforted by the warmth of his body. He released her fingers and wrapped his arm around her, sheltering her under his shoulder.
“I’ll accept your claim.” Holden turned from her and looked at Callum, but I want to speak to my daughter. There are things she needs to know. Things she deserves to hear.“
George’s “hell no created movement in the werewolves. Vicious growls filled the air and Callum immediately swept her behind him, luis violent snarl loud in her cars. Veering to the left, she fought to see.
Several werewolves had moved forward and Callum’s pack rushed to intercept them. Panic broke her silence, ripping a horrified cry from her throat. The arm Callum thrust out prevented her from aiding her stepfather, keeping her safely behind him.
Holden loudly bellowed “Stop” and it clashed with Callum’s thunderous “stand down and everyone immediately froze.
There was no denying their order.
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