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would do, the animal lunged forward. The two
hundred fifty pound wolf slammed into his chest,
knocking him to the ground, and the knife slipped
from his hand. Miach managed to bring his arms
up and grab the animal s neck. He kept Cameron s
snapping jaws away from his neck, but he felt the
shifter s claws sink into his chest.
Miach drew on every bit of strength the
scientists gave him and shoved. Cameron flew ten
feet and slammed into a tree trunk, letting out a
surprised yelp. He rolled to his feet, grabbing the
knife as he went. Miach lifted his head just in time
to see a blond wolf hurtle toward him.
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Chapter Eleven
ick hated watching his mate fight for him,
N
but he understood why Miach needed to do
it. The genetically altered human had to find his
place in the pack. His help rescuing the shifters
and gathering information against the scientists
was a great start, but proving he would put his
mate above all else was just as important.
He scented the wind, and a smell he recognized
tickled his nostrils. Simon! A low growl escaped
him and he whipped his head around, searching
for the wolf in question. He knew Simon had been
only too happy to back Cameron and help him
attack other shifters. Nick also realized the shifter
was next on Carson s list to locate, but it looked
like they wouldn t have to worry about that,
because the blond wolf was close.
Spotting the other shifter creeping through the
trees, a wave of apprehension rolled over Nick.
Simon watched the fight between Miach and
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Loving the Enemy
Cameron, steadily creeping closer. And because
Miach s focus was on Cameron, he didn t notice
the other wolf.
Nick peeled off his clothes. His action garnered
a lifted brow from his alpha. He pointed at Simon.
I m worried.
Declan nodded. Understandable.
It was close enough to permission for Nick, and
he dropped to his knees and initiated his shift. He
shook out his fur before starting toward the
fighting pair, struggling not to interfere when
Cameron managed to get his mate on his back. To
his relief, Miach tossed the wolf away in a move
that looked surprisingly easy. Cameron hit a
nearby tree and Nick s mate rolled to his feet.
That s when Simon surged forward and
attacked his mate. Nick leaped, barely managing
to come to his mate s aid in time. His jaws gaping,
he wrapped them around Simon s foreleg as he
barreled into him, knocking Simon off his
trajectory, and giving Miach a chance to shoulder-
roll out of harm s way.
Simon rolled, the move dislodging Nick s hold.
But before the bigger wolf could get to his feet, a
brown blur streaked toward them. Nick
recognized Carson s wolf, and the enforcer gave a
warning growl, his meaning clear. Stay down.
Simon obeyed, offering his belly to the aggressive
Native American shifter.
Nick returned his focus to his mate just in time
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Charlie Richards
to see Miach sink the blade of his knife into
Cameron s torso. The animal howled in pain, the
sound suddenly cut off by Miach slicing the blade
across Cameron s neck. Nick felt no remorse as he
watched the life drain out of the wolf s eyes.
Miach heaved out a breath and slowly rose to
his feet. He looked around, his gaze landing on
Nick, and he smiled. Trotting to his mate, relief
washed over him when Miach dropped to one
knee and sank his hands into his ruff. Thank you,
my mate.
Nick nuzzled into Miach s hands for a moment,
before initiating his shift. Once human, he threw
himself into Miach s arms, hugging his mate close.
I ll always be there to watch your back, he
vowed.
Miach nodded, then waved a hand at the other
two wolves. Who are they and why did the blond
attack me?
The blond is Simon. He agreed with a lot of
Cameron s opinions, he explained. The brown is
Carson, our pack enforcer.
Declan crossed to the wolves and ordered
Simon to shift. Once a slender man was lying
prone before them, Declan glared at him. Ye ve
been found guilty of attacking innocent shifters,
Simon. How do ye plead?
Nick picked up the scent of nervous tension
from the other shifter, even as Simon frowned at
his alpha. They weren t innocent. They were
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Loving the Enemy
invading our territory.
That is not for ye to decide, Simon, Declan
replied calmly. I ve never condoned attacking a
shifter in me territory, and ye know it. Simon
opened his mouth as if to protest, but Declan
growled low in his throat, and Simon s teeth
clacked as he shut up.
His arms crossed over a broad chest, Declan
stated, Now, ye have a choice, Simon. Ye can
leave me territory and be labeled a rogue, or ye
can accept punishment in the form of fifty lashes
and ten hours of pack service under Shane s
guidance.
Simon paled, and Nick swallowed. Both
options were harsh, but Declan had to send a
message. This kind of behavior would not be
tolerated.
The lashes and pack service, Simon
whispered, baring his throat and stomach to
Declan, showing his submittal to the alpha.
Declan nodded once. Carson, take him to
Shane s. The alpha turned to Nick and Miach.
Allow Lark to check yer wounds, then go home
and get some rest. I ll bring someone in to take
care of Cameron s body. Then he smirked, his
gaze shifting between them. Ye ve earned a few
days off, Nick, and I m certain ye ll want some
time to get to know yer mate better.
Yes, Alpha, Nick responded instantly, seeing
Miach grin out of the corner of his eye.
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Miach received medical attention for the claw
marks on his chest. Nick was impressed that those
were the only injuries he d sustained after a run-in
with a vengeful shifter. Lark handed Nick his
keys. Nice ride, Nick. Thanks for letting me drive
it.
Nick chuckled. Yeah, glad you liked it, he
stated, leading the way to his mustang.
Once in the vehicle, Miach turned a questioning
gaze toward Nick. Was he making fun of you?
Shrugging, Nick replied, Not really. He just
knows that my car is my baby. He fought back a
blush. My father and I were working on it when
he passed. It reminds me of him, he admitted.
Miach reached over and squeezed his thigh.
It s a nice car.
Nick nodded, sending the vehicle moving
toward home. I guess I really should have asked
where you call home.
Miach shrugged. I have a condo in New
Orleans. Why? You trying to get rid of me
already?
He squelched his initial urge to snap at the man
for even mentioning that he d leave Nick, hearing
the underlying tension in Miach s voice. He
recognized Miach s uncertainty. He took a deep
breath and then glancing toward his mate, gave
him a wink. Nope. Just wanted to know where
we need to go to pick your stuff up from, so we
can move you in with me.
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Loving the Enemy
His grip tightened on the wheel when he saw
Miach s sexy grin. You re not moving too fast, are
you?
Chuckling, Nick kept his hands to himself even
as his cock jerked at the sight of his mate s teasing
smile. Not at all. I gotta move you in before
introducing you to ma, that way you can t get
away.
Miach placed his big hand on Nick s thigh and
squeezed. If the idea of kids didn t scare me
away, you really think meeting your ma will
bother me? I admit I m nervous, but you re it for
me. You re my mate. My one and only. I love
you.
Nick s brows shot up, and his heart sped up in
his chest. He felt grateful he was pulling into his
driveway. Otherwise, he d have whipped the car
over on the side of the road so he could get at his
mate.
He unclipped his safety belt and straddled his
mate s lap in the uncomfortable confines of the
car. Gripping his mate s jaw with both hands,
Nick stared deep into those beautiful blue eyes.
You love me?
Miach s hands landed on his hips and pulled
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