Beta’s Challenge by Mildred Trent and Sandra Mitchell

together in a clash of teeth and claws. Fighting with the force only two alphas could match, they clawed and bit, trying to inflict the most damage possible. Mikal’s men noticed Gabriel was about to get the upper hand and decided it was better to interfere in the fight for Mikal than face his wrath if they did not.
    Vonn was the first to change. Before he could take one step toward the foray, Adrian was on his back, teeth sunk skin deep in his neck, effectively pinning him to the ground. The rest of the men were mid-shift when they noticed Tomas and Sasha had already shifted and were ready. After careful consideration, Mikal’s remaining men decided to err on the side of caution. They watched helplessly as after what seemed forever, Gabriel pinned Mikal with teeth tightened around his throat. Gabriel’s jaw tightened, trying to force Mikal to yield.
    Mikal turned his focus on Sasha with a vengeance that was palpable in the clearing. With an adrenaline-laced burst of energy, Mikal managed to loosen Gabriel’s grip and slip out of his hold. He turned toward Sasha. His mind warring with his heart over what he was about to do to Sasha, Mikal didn’t see Gabriel until it was too late.
    Gabriel hit Mikal with twice the force a wolf his size should possess. In a matter of seconds, Gabriel had Mikal in a submissive position again, jaws tightened to the point of ripping suffocation, and then a shot sounded through the suddenly quiet night.
    Startled by the loud piercing sound, Gabriel released Mikal and backed up. Looking in the direction of the sound, he spotted Tara standing about twenty feet away, holding a double-barreled shotgun.
     
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    “Shift now,” Tara said calmly.
    All wolves shifted back to human form. Gabriel and Mikal’s bodies were covered with lacerations from sharp canines and claws. Although Mikal looked a helluva lot worse off than Gabriel, both were still snarling at each other, and Mikal was swaying on his feet.
    Gabriel’s arm shot out with a preternatural speed and knocked him unconscious. Staring down at the prone body of the wolf that was once closer than a brother but now, his most hated enemy, Gabriel threw his head back and howled out all the pain and anguish that was in his heart. He then turned his head to stare at the woman who was the other half of his soul.
    Tara, seeing the heartbreaking devastation in her man’s eyes, was brought to instant tears for the obvious pain he was in right now. Part of her wanted to run and wrap her arms around him, but she knew he needed her strength the most right now. She tightened her grip on the shotgun because this shit was far from over.
    The entire trip she’d sat trying to figure a way around this fight. Tara knew she was not familiar with pack politics, but she also knew there had to be another way to solve this problem without someone getting hurt or killed.
    Just then, movement from the surrounding forest stopped Tara in her tracks. The entire Seeley Creek pack, in wolf form, began filing into the clearing. Shifting into human form, they began furiously shouting for justice.  “Kill him. It’s pack law. Pack way. After what he did to you, our females, he deserves to die. Kill him! Kill him!” The wolves, now human, chanted to Gabriel.
    Another shot sounded. Every head turned toward Tara. “No one is going to die tonight. Anyone wish to argue?” Tara slowly turned the barrel of the gun in a circle, making sure every person standing knew she meant business. She also knew she would never be able to shoot any of them but she couldn’t show weakness for Gabriel’s sake.  “And, since my cabin isn’t large enough to hold everyone, we’ll have to settle this out here.”
    “Dayum. Are there any ugly, un-sexy were—, ah, shifter wolves in the world?” Tia asked, standing in the doorway behind Tara.
    “Shut up, Tia.” Toya shook her head in Tia’s direction.
    “I’m just sayin.’ Look at all those fine asses, tight