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.

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

gets a hand between his neck and her leg and uses his strength to push her off. Tia land on her back but arches her back to jump to her feet. Stuart lets out a ferocious growl before lunging at Tia. He misses as she kicks

little girl!” Stuart gets to his feet

I’m stepping in now. This

We have to have faith in Tia.

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 closer, and

to the ground, turning her body upward. She is under the wolf, and her claws elongate. She reaches up and swipes down while Stuart’s wolf goes up. The

and holds his head still with one hand. Her claws are out, and she goes for Stuart’s neck. He’s too hurt to stop her, and he whimpers, seeing what is about to happen. “Tia, NO!” I turn

mom. Remember that the woman you treated like s**t actually spared your life.” Tia

~Paul~

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 stable, and his wound is healing. I walk over to Nikki and place a hand

need to talk.” I keep my eyes on the warriors that have Stuart. I can’t

about.” Kim steps forward and reaches for me.

we can discuss things, we can get 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

now. You haven’t been honest with me at any point of our union. You were going to leave me? You were going to leave the boys? There is nothing

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

Luna of the Emerald Lake Pack, as my mate.” I can feel a burning sensation

We have something, we

you serious Kim?! What about us? We can finally

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

it.” Kim folds her