Page 19 of Their Marked Mate

“I feel like I’ve fallen back through time.” Evelyn shook her head as she stared down into her tea. “It took human women hundreds of years to be seen as more than their body parts. Thanks to Nuevo Biotech, we’re baby factories again.”

“We’re alive,” Luna said firmly. “If it weren’t for the hybrids, it’s unlikely that any of us would have survived the first snowfall.” They’d been half-frozen and starving to death when the cats gave in and offered to assist them. Their assistance came with a hefty price tag, of course. They had to agree to mate with a group of males.

“I didn’t expect you to defend them.” Irritation crept into Evelyn’s tone, but her features remained placid.

“I’m a realist. Always have been.” Luna paused for a couple of bites of stew before continuing, “The hybrids have lost even more than we have. They’re not even human anymore.”

“That gives them the right to turn us into breeding stock?” Evelyn’s eyes gleamed and her jaw clenched. Clearly, she was finished with pleasantries.

“Think about this from their perspective for a minute. They were taken captive and subjected to years of medical experimentation. They were transformed into a different species and then declared too dangerous to remain on Earth. They were⁠—”

“How can you feel sorry for them?” Evelyn cut in. “They’re murderous savages.”

“And we helped create them,” Luna reminded stubbornly. “We all deserve a chance to survive, but right now they hold all the power. I’d like to change that if I can.”

Evelyn leaned forward again and lowered her voice. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s just an idea. I’m not sure I can do it, but as it is right now, the males sense their mates and control the bonding mechanism. I’d like to alter the formula so that the female identifies and ultimately chooses the male or males she bonds with.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened and she just stared at Luna for a tense moment. “That would change everything,” she whispered then shook her head. “They would never allow it.”

“They will if they want mates because that’s the only way I’ll allow this to take place.”

“You can’t tell them what you’re trying to do,” Evelyn warned, fear trembling through her voice. “Make them think it’s an unexpected side effect or something.”

“I’m not even sure I can make this work, much less alter it the way I want to. As I said, it’s just an idea.”

Evelyn sighed and pushed to her feet. “I better get going. If I’m gone too long Hayes will come looking for me.”

Luna walked her to the door and gave her a quick hug. “If I tell Alex I need an assistant, would you mind working on this with me?”

“And miss scrubbing pots and pans in the kitchen?” Evelyn laughed. “I would love to work on this with you.”

“Good. I’ll ask Alex next time I see him.”

* * *

Naked to the waist, hands wrapped in strips of cloth, Alex stepped into the large wooden cage. The surrounding crowd quickly thickened as those passing by realized the village alpha had been challenged. This was only the second time Alex had defended his position, but it was unlikely to be the last. It was the nature of wolf shifters to challenge authority and hunger for power.

There was only one rule governing these fights. If mercy was requested, it must be granted. If neither competitor admitted defeat, the fight progressed until one competitor was incapable of continuing. Death was not the goal, though it was frequently the result when an alpha’s lupine nature was fully engaged. Alex liked his challenger, so he hoped that the lad would quickly understand his foolishness.

Though only twenty-two years old, Titus declared himself Granite pack alpha when his predecessor was killed during a raid on the feline village. Titus had been challenged twice since and won both fights decisively. The success made him brash and boastful, qualities Alex found amusing. But his opponents had been Granite pack wolves, and Granite pack was known for innovation, not brutality.

Alex tightened his fists and rolled his shoulders. “You sure about this, cub? It’s not too late to change your mind.”

Titus raised his fists, shielding his flushed face. Shaggy dark hair fell to his shoulders and a scraggly beard shadowed his jaw. Despite all the hair, his youth was obvious. He was fueled by bravado and inexperience when what he needed was confidence born of overcoming struggles. “Bring it on, old man. I’m not afraid of you.”

The fear gleaming in Titus’ dark eyes contradicted the claim, so Alex pulled back his wolf. This wasn’t a legitimate challenge. He just needed to teach a mouthy youth some manners. The crowd of onlookers, however, needed a demonstration too. Accessing the alpha bond, Alex sent out stinging pulses warning the others not to interfere. The signal stopped just short of a mental compulsion, but it was a subtle reminder that he possessed the skill.

They approached each other warily as the crowd shouted encouragements and smartass remarks. Alex focused on Titus, watching for the kid to make a move. They circled each other, Titus bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Titus telegraphed his first punch, so Alex easily dodged the blow. Tempering his strength, he responded with a sharp uppercut. Titus grunted. His head snapped back and blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth. Shaking his head as if to clear his vision, Titus swung hard with his right hand. The jab was wild and unexpected, so it caught Alex on the jaw. The alpha’s only reaction was an impatient glare.

“Give him hell, cub!” one of the onlookers shouted.

Laughter followed and determination ignited in Titus’ dark gaze.

Damn it. Alex knew that look all too well. Titus was drawing energy from his audience. The quick and easy lesson just became more painful for this brash young alpha.