Wolf's Claim (The Royal Heir #3) - Jen L. Grey Page 0,17

right the wrongs that had been done to us by both family and fate. You were never meant to be king."

"That's not true, and you know it," Dad said the words low and deep.

"Then why don't we fight for the title?" Darren laughed.

"It's not like it would change anything now." Mom took a step toward Darren, lifting her hands in the air. "We're all dead. That wouldn't resolve anything."

"It sounds like your mate doesn't think you can win." Darren laughed and took another menacing step toward them. "So it proves even more that I'm the one on top."

My dad stepped away from her.

"Corey, what are you doing?" Mom's mouth dropped open as realization dawned on her. "You can't be serious."

"Of course I am." Dad shook his head and glared at his brother. "He won't ever let this go. I have no idea why."

"You definitely know," Darren growled and took another step, closing the distance between them. "You had to take Gabby from me and then abandon her. I thought maybe we could reconnect, but she was still obsessed with you."

"I never knew you were interested in her. Besides, I’d found my mate." Dad threw his hands in the air. "If I could do it all over again, I would. That woman became the biggest pain in my ass."

"See, you didn't deserve her, just like you didn't deserve the crown." His hands clenched into fists.

"This doesn't make sense." Mom shook her head, making her long red hair bounce from side to side. "You married Debra. Wasn't she your mate?"

"Hell, no." Darren wrinkled his nose as if the thought alone disgusted him. "We were just on the same page. She helped orchestrate the whole thing."

"You tried killing my daughter again." Dad pointed his finger toward Darren. "I'm tired of you taking out your anger on people I love."

"That was the point." Darren shifted back into his wolf and lunged for Dad's neck.

No. He couldn’t hurt them again. I tried running toward them, but with each step, I discovered I didn't make any progress. The same distance between us was maintained despite my perceived forward motion. It didn't make any sense.

Dad growled and pushed his brother off him. "Stay back." Dad's words were almost indecipherable as he changed into his wolf. Dark auburn hair sprouted along his body as he shifted to all fours.

"Corey, no." Mom's face twisted in horror.

Darren began pacing around him, making it known he was the predator. Dad spun around, making sure his back wasn't turned to him.

It only took a moment before Darren charged at Dad once more. He lowered his head as if he was going to steamroll him to God knows where.

As his head shoved into Dad's side, Dad flipped his body over Darren’s, landing back on his feet.

A deep growl emanated from my uncle.

I tried charging forward again, but I couldn't gain any traction. I was stuck at this distance for whatever reason. It was as if I was only allowed to be a spectator.

Not wasting a second, Darren attacked once more. He stood up on his back two legs and fell on top of Dad.

Dad tried standing back on his hind legs, but Darren bit into the back of his neck and hung on.

Blood pooled and ran down my dad's red fur. However, it almost blended in. The only difference was the fur sticking together, making it visibly wet.

How the hell was this possible? This was supposed to be the afterlife.

"No. Corey," Mom yelled and ran toward them.

Darren unlatched from my father and bared his blood-soaked teeth at her.

That distraction was enough for Dad to be able to drop and get out from under Darren, causing my uncle to fall to the ground.

Within seconds, Dad jumped on his brother's back and forced him to the ground. However, Dad’s teeth never dug into his skin.

The black wolf thrashed underneath him, but my dad maintained control.

It wasn't long before my uncle shifted back into human form underneath him. Dad followed suit, still making sure that my uncle couldn't break free.

My uncle’s shoulders began to shake as if he was crying.

Dad rolled his shoulders, and blood began seeping through his shirt. He was injured.

"Look, I'm sorry." Darren's voice sounded pained. "I never meant to hurt anyone."

"That's a stretch." Dad released his hold on Darren and allowed my uncle to stand.

"Okay, but I didn't realize how far I'd taken it." He lifted both hands in the air in surrender.

That was bullshit. He had really meant to take it