Chapter 7

Greg, Nick, and Grissom arrived at the sight an hour before schedule. Greg wanted to ensure he could find a suitable hiding place downwind from the clearing for Grissom.

The clearing wasn't huge. It was ringed by fully grown trees, which overhung most of the open space. In the very center, there was a small patch of night sky – stars glittering like diamonds – visible. The ground was covered in a spongy carpet of fallen pine needles.

Grissom's hiding spot was several yards from the edge of the clearing. It was in the center of a rather dense cluster of brush. He had a clear view of the clearing, from where he crouched in the center of the cluster.

Knowing they still had some time before Brandon showed up, Grissom was standing just outside of his hiding spot, checking his gun one last time, before holstering it. He hoped he wouldn't have to use it, as he wasn't sure how he would explain the circumstances.

Greg seemed to sense Grissom's train of though.

"If he incapacitates me, or kills me, you gotta do it, Griss! He can't be allowed to roam free!" Greg said, as he pulled off his shirt, stripping down so he could shift.

Nick – against his better judgment, Greg had allowed his mate to accompany them – bristled, "If he kills you, I'll..."

Greg had just finished removing his jeans. As the garment fell to the ground, Greg shifted, launching himself at Nick.

Grissom took an involuntary step backwards, his hand straying towards the holstered gun at his hip. Reminding himself that this was Greg, and Nick, his friends, he forced his hand to still.

Greg's front paws hit Nick square in the chest, knocking Nick to the ground on his back.

The snarl that issued from Greg's lupine throat caused the hairs on Grissom's

neck to stand on end.

Grissom watched in horrified fascination as Nick bared his throat to Greg, and Greg put his mouth around it.

You will stay with Grissom! No matter what, Nick! Greg's mental voice held the iron command of alpha behind it.

Sensing Nick's argument coming, Greg placed the slightest pressure onto Nick's neck, enough to leave teeth impressions, but not break skin, then went on, God damn it, Nicky! If Brandon can kill me, you won't stand a chance against him. Giving Nick a mental image of the disciplining he'd just received only twenty-four hours ago, Greg added, If you disobey me, and I survive this fight, your disciplining will not be painless, this time!

Several howls split the night, echoing over the mountains.

Carefully removing his mouth from Nick's neck, Greg threw back his head and howled in reply, challenge evident in the timber.

Looking down into Nick's eyes for what he feared might be the last time, Greg said, Stay with Grissom! I love you!

Turning, Greg bounded off, intending to come into the clearing from a slightly different direction, so Grissom wouldn't be discovered.

Grissom watched Greg disappear into the darkness, before lending Nick a hand to get up.

Even in the dim light, Grissom could see light teeth impressions and glistening saliva on Nick's neck.

Pacing the clearing, Greg kept his lupine nose up, searching for Brandon's scent on the slight breeze. He knew Brandon and the others were close by.

From the howls, he had recognized Lily and two other pack members – two of the larger males, brought to intimidate, no doubt.

A moment later, the four wolves loped into the clearing. Brandon was between the two large males, and Lily was cowering behind him.

Moving away from his guard detail, Brandon slowly advanced. His head lowered, lips peeled back over wickedly pointed teeth.

Greg assumed the same posture, and allowed an angry growl to escape from deep in his chest.

The two wolves launched at each other, intent on ripping into each other's flesh.

This time, when Brandon went for Greg's shoulder, Greg was ready. Dropping his shoulder just enough that Brandon couldn't get a chunk of it, Greg snapped at Brandon's muzzle.

Brandon twisted away, but Greg managed to hook his teeth into Brandon's upper lip. The pained yelp Brandon let out told Greg he'd caused damage.

Backing away, Brandon shook his head. Blood drops flew in all directions, and there was an odd flapping sound, as the grotesquely torn lip flopped against his muzzle, attached only by a thin strip of fur and skin.

Lowering his head to the ground, Brandon caught the flap under his paw and yanked his head up quickly. The flap of skin was now completely separated from Brandon's muzzle, leaving him with his teeth exposed in a gruesome parody of a human smile. There was no yelp of pain, this time, merely a grunt.

Greg rushed the black wolf, putting all of his mass and momentum into an assault aimed at Brandon's ribs.

Whirling, Brandon swung his head so it connected solidly with Greg's.

Staggering, Greg shook his head, trying to clear his vision.

A blurred form raced past Greg, and he reached out, latched his teeth into a back leg. Biting down with all his might, Greg heard the satisfying snap of bone.

Brandon howled in pain this time. Turning, he snapped at Greg, but Greg had already released his leg and slipped away.

Reduced to hopping on three legs, Brandon had lost his speed and agility. Spinning as best he could, he tried to anticipate where Greg would come from.

Greg's weight landing solidly on Brandon's back forced him down. Clamping his jaw over Brandon's neck, Greg allowed the other to hear one word, Mine! before snapping his neck.

Brandon's lifeless body sagged to the ground, and Greg let out a joyous howl as he sensed his pack returned to him.

Lily took a hesitant step forward. As the rival alpha's mate, she knew Greg had every right to drive her away, or kill her. Laying down, she rolled onto her back, exposing her gray belly to Greg.

The gray and white wolf's fur bristled. Stepping stiffly forward, he sniffed her from snout to tail. She was covered in Brandon's scent, filled with it, too. The wolf understood what this meant, wanted to rip her to shreds; to end Brandon's blood line there and then. Greg pushed the wolf instincts aside. I accept you back to the pack.

Looking back to where Nick and Grissom still hid, Greg said, Tell Grissom thanks and he can go. Then get down here.

A few minutes later, Nick, now in wolf form, loped up to the small group. Nuzzling Greg's neck, he gave a happy whine. Greg! He left the rest unsaid. Greg knew.

Blowing a breath out harshly, Greg looked down at Lily. She was now laying with her head on her paws, looking utterly miserable. Looking over at Nick, Greg said, He impregnated her.

Nick wasn't sure why Greg was telling him this, or even why Greg had allowed Lily back into the pack in this condition, but it wasn't his place to question Greg, so he just sat there, waiting for Greg to clue him in.

Holding Nick's gaze, Greg said, She doesn't want it. Plus, there's a chance it may be like him.

Realization dawned on Nick, and he leaned into Greg's side imploringly. You can't let her end it!

Resting his head across Nick's shoulders, Greg reassured his mate, I already told her we would take it and raise it as our own. The wolf side of Greg had chafed at the knowledge that his sexual preference would never allow him to produce offspring. The human side hadn't really cared, but he knew that Nick had really wanted kids, and now the opportunity was presenting itself.

You did? Nick's voice was filled with awe. His joyous howls filled the night with warmth.

A/N: Not sure I really like the ending of this chapter. Might go back and change it. Let me know what you think.

Wow, the end of another story! Wonder what the plot bunnies will attack me with next. :)