Long seconds passed. Xelor shifted his gaze away for a split-second then looked back at him. "I pledge to you-but don't trust Yenis."

Lorn gave his full attention to the one named.

The blond VampLycan snarled. "Traitor! Nabby will kill all of you!"

He tried to run but Lavos tackled him from behind. They both went down then got up quickly. Yenis unleashed his claws.

Lorn wasn't surprised. Yenis and Nabby were best friends and very similar. "Decide now."

"I'll never follow you. Nabby and I are going to kill you!"

"That's your final answer?"

"Yes!"

"To the death."

"Don't waste too much energy on him," Lavos warned.

It wasn't advice Lorn needed. Yenis launched at him, slashing with his claws. Lorn avoided contact with those sharp tips, ducking his head and twisting, kicking out hard. His heel struck Yenis in the hip, sending him stumbling into a tree. Yenis pushed off against it, snarled, and lunged again.

"I'm going to find Kira and fuck her. I'll pass her around to anyone who wants a piece of that ass after you're dead!"

Lorn knew it was Yenis's attempt to make him lose his focus and temper. He flashed his fangs. "And you're stalling for time. Are you hoping your friend arrives to finish your fight? We both know you're weak and don't stand a chance. Garson over there could take you."

"Hey," Garson blustered. "I resent that."

"Shut up," Lavos muttered.

"Fine," Garson huffed.

Yenis struck, attempting to go for Lorn's throat with his claws. Lorn easily avoided him, dropping to a crouch before driving upward in the next second. His claws buried deep into Yenis's chest. He pinned the other VampLycan to a tree, staring into his eyes.

"You chose the wrong side."

Fear and panic flashed on Yenis's face but sympathy wasn't an emotion Lorn could afford. The asshole would go after Kira if he didn't kill him. He twisted his wrists as he shoved his claws deeper. Material and skin tore, the latter a sickening sound. Yenis screamed, his head thrown back.

Lorn didn't hesitate. He ripped out his enemy's heart and dropped it on the ground as he leapt back, avoiding the slumping body.

Blood coated both of his hands and wrists as he faced Xelor and Marlo. "Decide."

Marlo fell to his knees in an instant, bowed his head, and trembled. "I swear allegiance to you, Lorn."

Xelor was a bit slower to drop, but he did. He kept eye contact with Lorn and nodded. "My oath to you, as long as you aren't like my brother or Decker."

"Things are going to change." It was a promise.

"What do you want us to do?" Xelor stayed on his knees.

"I don't trust you yet," Lorn said. "Go home and stay there. Don't come out."

"We could help," Xelor offered.

"I'd never ask you to help kill your own flesh and blood. I'm not heartless." Lorn glanced at his own brother. It would destroy him to have to fight Lavos. He addressed Xelor again. "Do what I said. Go home."

"Nabby will send for me to help him, even come for me. He'll kill me when I refuse."

Lorn knew that was the truth. "Go inside the lodge then. Keep the peace-and no fighting. Don't bully anyone. That bullshit is over forever. You protect the weaker now."

"I didn't enjoy it. I was under orders. Nabby wanted the youths injured, so they couldn't help their fathers defend their mothers and siblings if he had to punish any of them to keep everyone in line."

Rage seeped out of Lorn's every pore. "You defend them now. Understood? No one touches the children, the youths, or the females."

"I swear." Xelor rose to his feet.

"Xelor?" Lorn locked gazes with him. "You betray me and you won't have a fast death. Do you understand? I'll strip your skin an inch at a time. You'll beg for death but you won't have it for days." He looked at Marlo. "The same for you."

"I do have honor." Xelor blew out a breath. "So does Marlo. You know how Nabby is. That's why he sent Yenis with us. To make certain we were following his orders. I'll be grateful when Nabby is gone. I know that makes me a bad brother but he terrorized me my entire life." Anger deepened his voice. "I have no love for him, but I've had plenty of fear. He swore he'd kill Millie if I didn't do as he said. And he would. He has no heart."

Lorn cocked his head. "Millie?" The submissive VampLycan helped care for the youngest members of the clan. She was also Marlo's younger sister.

"She's my true mate. I've known for two years and Nabby has used her against me. He refused to allow me to claim her."

"Nabby threatens me with her death too," Marlo admitted. "I had to do as he said or lose my sister. What choice did we have?"

Lorn hated Nabby even more. "Where is she?"

"Inside the lodge," Xelor answered. "She wanted to help keep the children amused so they aren't afraid."

"Go inside. Guard them all."

Both VampLycans spun, walking away. Lorn jerked his head at Garson. "Go with them."

"I can fight," Garson argued. "I don't like to but that doesn't mean I'm not good at it."

"I'm aware," Lorn admitted. "But neither of them realize that. They mistake your laid-back attitude for a weakness. I meant no offense. I'm trusting you to keep them in line. Kill them if they betray us. I know you can take them both out if the need arises. Warn the woman about what's going down and enlist their help to defend the lodge against clan enemies. Nothing is fiercer than a bitch protecting her pups."

Garson grinned. "Very true. Thank you. I'm all over this job." He rushed after the other men.

Lavos studied Yenis's body. "That was impressive. I've never seen someone's heart ripped out before. He's not coming back from that."

"He pissed me off."

"Never talk shit about Kira. Yeah." Lavos snorted. "Everyone knows better than to do that."

"Damn straight." Lorn bent and wiped his bloodied hands on grass.

"Lorn?"

He stood and turned, staring at Lavos. "What?"

"Are you doing okay?"

"I don't enjoy killing."

"I'd worry if you did. This is necessary. Remember that."

"I'd do anything for Kira. Every death of our enemies will assure that she's safe with this clan."

"I'm just checking to make certain your mindset is where it needs to be."

"Stop. It's wasting time we don't have. I'd like to surprise Nabby before he can assemble a group of Decker supporters. It's best if we take them on in smaller numbers."

A sound made them both jerk to the right, peering into the woods. The sight of Kar rushing at them had Lorn moving to meet the VampLycan.

Kar stopped, sweat coating his skin and his breathing a little heavy. It spoke of how much energy he'd used to reach them.

"Kira?" Lorn snarled the question.

"Fine. She sent me to you."

"I told you to guard her."

"She fed off a moose and is locked back inside your den." Kar caught his breath. "She was going to come if I didn't. She thinks you need backup."

Lavos chuckled.

Lorn glared at him. "You think that is funny?"

"Yes. You're worried about her and she's worried about you. True love. She's also right. Your den is safe. We do need an extra fighter. Thanks for coming, Kar."

"No prob. Where's Garson?"

"Inside the lodge, babysitting," Lavos answered.

Lorn wanted to send Kar back but knew Lavos was right. The only people who knew the area his den was located wouldn't betray him. Davis would do anything to keep his daughter safe. Kar and Lavos were needed to fight at his side.

"Let's find Nabby and then deal with the elders." He glanced at Kar. "Thank you for taking care of Kira."

"She's the same. You called it. I was afraid the Vampire genes would change her personality. I had to bleed the moose a little just to get her to bite and she still worried she might have hurt the beast. She's as kindhearted as ever. I had to assure her it was absolutely fine. The big boy probably gets more injured brushing up against branches than what she did to him."

"She's part VampLycan. I had faith that her father's Lycan blood would spare her the fate of turning cold." Lorn was glad he'd been right.

"Enough about Kira. We've established she's fine." Lavos sniffed the air. "Nabby."

Lorn picked up the scent too. "Let's go say hello."

He pushed his worry about Kira to the back of his mind. He needed to keep his full attention on the situation at hand. Nabby wasn't known to fight fair. The bastard would try to kill him, using any means necessary.

Chapter Eleven.

The sound of a fight drew Lorn to his enemy. Nabby and a mated male were exchanging blows. A female backed away with a small child in her arms.

Lorn recognized the couple immediately. Reso and Ahlu had mated four years before, and she was pregnant with their second child. Reso had probably tried to sneak them out to avoid being separated from his family.

"Enough!" Lorn snarled.

Nabby spun, glaring at him. "Keep out of this."

"He's a tradesman. And you're pathetic. What did you plan to do? Beat Reso to a pulp in front of his mate and child in the slowest, cruelest way? You haven't even unleashed your claws." Lorn allowed his to slide out. "You want to fight? Pick on someone with your skill."

Reso quickly moved to get in front of his mate and child. Lorn held great respect for the VampLycan. He wasn't a fighter, instead earning income for the clan and his family by creating wood carvings, beautiful works of art. Everyone in the clan had their own special skills.

Nabby lowered his gaze to take in the blood still on Lorn and sniffed. His expression turned menacing as he met Lorn's gaze again. "What have you done?"

"I'm taking control of the clan."

"No, you aren't."

"Who's going to stop me? You?" Lorn stepped closer. "Skin or fur. Pick."

Nabby glanced at Lavos and Kar.

"Don't worry about them," Lorn informed him. "They'll stay out of it. They're just here to make certain this remains a fair fight. And I hope you aren't waiting for Yenis to help you take me down. You'll see him soon though, in hell-where you're going."

"You killed him? I smell his blood."

"It was a fair fight. He died for you and stayed loyal to the end." Lorn noticed Nabby didn't even ask about Xelor. He decided to mention him. "Your brother lives."

"He won't for long. I'll take care of him after I'm done with you. He's spineless and weak."

"You mean he's not a bully without heart, or willing to harm women or children. It's called 'honor'. I'm grateful someone in your family knows the meaning."

"You bastard!" Nabby spat. "I'm going to enjoy killing you, your brother, and your friends. Hell, I'll put your heads on posts inside the lodge just to make you an example to the rest of the clan."

The threat amused Lorn. "Try your best to take my head. Skin or fur? Decide. I challenge you."

"Skin." Nabby threw back his head and let out a howl.

"You call for help? Are you that certain you can't win in a fair fight against me, Nabby? Pathetic." Lorn snorted. He didn't look away from Decker's enforcer as he spoke to Lavos and Kar. "Watch the woods. We're about to have company."

"We're ready. Take off your shirt and those boots, Kar. They'll likely shift without warning so be prepared." Lavos sounded amused. "Let's kick some ass."