Three Fated Hearts by LNC

~Landon~

No one moves; it seems that no one is breathing. I don’t think anyone expected Tia to issue a challenge, but here we are. Neither Lincoln nor I feel good about this; our inherent nature is to protect our mate at all times and all costs. This is something that she needs to do herself, even though we don’t like it.

Stuart throws his head back and laughs. He starts to grip his stomach, and he falls forward, laughing. There are a few snickers around us, but Tia doesn’t move. She stands, waiting for his answer. I, personally, want to rip his head off. The laughing is a clear sign of disrespect, and I don’t like my Luna being disrespected.

Stuart stands up straight and wipes tears from his eyes. “You’re serious, aren’t you?” He steps toward Tia, looking down at her. “You get some mates and get a mark, and all of a sudden, you have a backbone.” Stuart sighs. “Okay, little girl. If you want everyone to watch you get your a*s handed to you, so be it.” Stuart steps back and gets into a fighting stance.

I don’t like this, L.

Neither do I, Linc, but what do you want me to do? She needs this. If we take this from her, she’ll never forgive us. Lincoln sighs in the link but says nothing else.

Tia continues to stand, staring at Stuart. Her legs are slightly parted, and her hands are at her sides, in fists. They are eyeing each other up and down, and my stomach is churning. I can’t stand to watch this, but I can’t look away.

“Well, are you going to stand there all day? Are you regretting challenging me? It’s okay if you are, just say the word, and I’ll forget this even happened.” A growl comes from Tia, and Stuart chuckles in response.

Before I can register any movement, Stuart wraps his hand around Tia’s neck. Tia is gasping for breath and clawing at his hand. I have to hold Lincoln back from attacking Stuart. I know Tia can get out of this, but I have to admit that I’m terrified right now. The veins start to bulge in Stuart’s hand, and he has a sick grin on his face. I don’t know how much longer I can sit by and watch this. I won’t let Tia die, even if that means she is mad at me forever.

Tia stops clawing at Stuart’s hand and places both hands around his elbow. She starts to swing her foot, once…twice….the third swing has more power than the previous and connects with Stuart’s groin. He lets go of Tia and drops to his knees. Tia hits the ground, coughing, trying to suck in the air. She quickly scrambles into a position to pounce: on the tips of her toes and her hands. Tia is breathing heavily, watching while Stuart rolls around on the ground in pain.

Tia’s back and throws himself forward. Instead of Tia hitting the ground, she spins so that she’s sitting on his shoulders, and Stuart’s face hits the ground, Tia using her

lets out a ferocious growl before lunging at Tia. He misses as she kicks him in his back, making him stumble forward. Tia sweeps her leg behind his, causing him to lose his footing and fall on his back. Tia jumps on Stuart, punching him in his head and arms. Stuart

to his feet

NOPE! I’m stepping in now.

to have faith

has to trust Tia to be able to do this on her own. I admit it isn’t easy to watch, but she needs this. Stuart’s wolf is snarling and snapping his jaws at Tia, but she is unmoving. He stalks toward her, and I have to wonder why she isn’t shifting. Tia motions to the wolf to come

She is under the wolf, and her claws

her, and he whimpers, seeing what is about to happen. “Tia, NO!” I turn and see Nikki with tears down her face, begging Tia

you aren’t dead is because of mom. Remember that the woman you treated like s**t actually spared your life.” Tia walks over

~Paul~

into the packhouse. I’m sure they were terrified that they would lose her, so they need time to calm themselves and their wolves. The warriors have Stuart

to talk.” I keep my eyes on the warriors that

is nothing to talk about.” Kim steps forward and reaches for me. I move back

back to—” I finally turn to Kim, and I feel…..nothing. I don’t feel the love I’ve felt in the past. I don’t feel the happiness of being with her or the respect for her, or the position she held as my Luna. I feel anger, bitterness,

very clear now. You haven’t been honest with me at any point of our union. You were going to leave

loudly that the land shakes under us, and Nikki winces and shakes under the weight

reject you, Kimberly Jensen, former Luna of the Emerald Lake Pack, as my mate.” I can feel a burning

no I won’t accept. We

serious Kim?! What about us? We can

UP STUART! Paul, please…..please don’t do

her