Garrett's Choice by A.J. Jarrett Page B

fight them but they were too strong.”
    “Who? What were they, Clara?” Lachlan asked. The warrior in him was starting to show through, and Garrett feared his mate would seek out vengeance to right the wrong committed tonight.
    “Vampires but not like the ones I’ve met. They had eyes black as night.” Her lips started to tremble as tears ran like a river down her cheeks smearing the blood dripping from her wound.
     
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    “Garrett, come over here.” Garrett turned around and walked over to Wes. The man was knelt down next to Lacy’s body. “By the looks of the wound it was something with sharp teeth, but I can’t say for sure it was a vampire. But the bite looks consistent with a vampire attack.”
    More wolves arrived on the scene, and Garrett quickly explained the situation. He ordered the younger wolves back to the campsite and out of harm’s way. A few older wolves ushered them back. Grace took Clara from Lachlan’s arms and promised to keep her safe.
    Garrett knew how attached Lachlan had become to the young woman and promised that Grace would take excellent care of her.
    Garrett chose four of his trusted pack members to stay. They needed to spread out and start searching the area for clues. The blanketing night sky wasn’t helping their cause. Even with the moon high above, it wasn’t enough light to capture a glimpse of anything of real importance.
    Garrett ordered Lachlan to stay close to his side. When his mate opened his mouth to complain, Garrett cupped the side of his face and stared into the amber depths, silently pleading with Lachlan to do as he said. With a reluctant nod, Lachlan agreed.
    The sound of laughter had everyone jerking to a stop. Garrett turned his head from side to side searching for the direction the sound came from. It echoed so loudly it was as if it were coming from all directions, but that was impossible.
    Garrett gripped Lachlan’s hand tightly when his mate tried to move away from him.
    Lachlan tried to pull his hand free, but Garrett was unrelenting.
    “Let go of me.” Lachlan yanked his hand out of Garrett’s hold.
    “We need to catch whoever that is.” Lachlan’s eyes tracked the movement and sound of the fleeting stranger.
    “Lachlan, I’m ordering you to stay put.” Garrett stepped in front of Lachlan, blocking his path as he tried to walk around him.
     
    Garrett’s Choice
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    “Excuse me?” Lachlan narrowed his eyes at Garrett. “Did you just say you’re ordering me? Fuck you.” Lachlan shoved Garrett in the chest and walked right on past.
    “Lachlan, I gave you an order. Cease moving or else,” Garrett said forcefully as he reached for Lachlan’s arm. When his fingers wrapped around his mate’s firm bicep, Garrett tugged him around.
    “Or else what?” Lachlan sneered as he stared down his nose at Garrett. Garrett was impressed with that feat since he was taller than his mate.
    “This.” Before Garrett knew what he was doing he pulled back his fist and punched Lachlan square in the side of the head, knocking him unconscious. A welt the size of his fist bloomed on the side of Lachlan’s head. Had Lachlan not been a paranormal, the blow would have killed him.
    “Holy shit!” Aaron exclaimed as he ran forward, falling to his knees next to friend’s prone body. “What the fuck, Garrett?”
    “It was for his own good.” Garrett tried to justify his actions. His fingers ached from the force with which he struck his mate. Lachlan would be fuming when he woke up, but Garrett would deal with that later. He couldn’t do his job as alpha if he was constantly worried about his mate. They had already lost one pack member this night, and Garrett didn’t want to lose any more or worse, his mate.
    “Right, see how well that excuse works for you when he wakes up.” Wes stood beside him staring down at Lachlan.
    “We don’t have time for this. I did what I had to do to keep my mate safe.” Garrett believed those words. He just prayed