Creed

“It wouldn’t have killed him.”

“It was cruelty. Plain and simple. He’d gone so deep to protect himself from the icy pain of cold that they had difficulty reaching him, to let him know they were with him.”

“It builds character to suffer harsh elements.”

“You’re a piece of work,” Aveoth spat. “No one is assigned to the north for more than one year at a time, and it’s always voluntary. It’s a barren wasteland of boredom and would test anyone’s sanity to watch nothing. It’s a necessary evil since someone could attack from that direction, but it’s hell.” He looked at Creed. “Did you enjoy those years?”

“No.” Creed glared at his father.

“I would have been stu

Creed enjoyed watching his father turn ashen. He also earned a new respect for Lord Aveoth. Well played.

“My lord,” Kado paused. “It was our job to make those assignments at the time. That was decades ago.”

“You broke the law. Don’t bother reminding me that he’s your son, since you’ve already stated repeatedly that you gave him to the clan for service. That makes your claim as his father null and void, if you want to spout off about how you can tell your own children what to do as ruler of your household. I’d also have to mention he hasn’t lived in your lair since the age of two.” Aveoth gripped his sword again. “There’s no time limit on crimes here.” He glanced at four of his enforcers standing nearby. “Am I wrong?”

Kelzeb shook his head. “No, my lord.”

Aveoth glared back at Kado. “Here we stand.” He tilted his head. “You wanted me to be harsher in my punishments. Do you still feel that way? Or would you rather bow your head to me, tell me it was an error coming before me this morning, and withdraw your grievances?” He wasn’t done. “I hear one word about how you disagree with anything I do, and I’ll have you hauled back here, along with the ex-council members. I would be happy to keep the peace amongst our people by showing them ruthlessness to law breakers.”

“That’s blackmail,” Kado hissed.

“Call it whatever the hell you want.” Aveoth shrugged. “Learn, Kado. You can’t win. It’s why you’re not reaching for your sword. You know I’d kill you. I’m stronger, smarter, and will beat you at any game you decide to play.”

Kado lowered his head and bowed. “I formally withdraw all grievances.” He looked up. “My request for an audience stands. I want it on record that I spoke to you, and why.”

Aveoth suddenly smiled. It was cold. “I was counting on you doing just that. You still hold the belief that with enough well-placed whispers and rumors you can one day gain enough support to try to overthrow me as lord. You want proof that you stood up to me so they might give you my title. You never change, Kado. Very well. That means Creed has the right to confront you.”

Aveoth backed up and waved his hand. “Proceed, Creed. This man has officially demanded to speak to me about turning your mate into his breeding vessel and removing her from your lair. He’s challenged your right to keep her. It’s public record.”

“He broke the law, and I was told he’s been confined to his lair for six months. A prisoner has no right to defend anything.” Kado had a smug look on his face, and it sounded in his voice.

“What a big surprise that you’d attempt to use that ploy to avoid a fight. Your cowardice is known to everyone.” Aveoth snorted. “Denied. Creed is still in service to me. We came to an understanding. You didn’t see that one coming, did you? He wasn’t detained to his lair—his mate was, and she’s there right now. You should have asked more questions and checked your facts, Kado. Creed is in good standing with our clan. His mate begged to take his punishment…and I conceded to her wishes.”

Creed walked forward and faced off against the man he had called father for all of his life. Metal scraped as he withdrew his sword from the scabbard and gripped it with both hands. He kept the tip down as he glared at Kado. He’d never think of him as a father again.

“To the death.” Those were three words he’d always wanted to say—and they felt good.

“Stand down!” Kado ordered.

“Raise your sword or die a coward.” Creed wasn’t willing to let it go. Angel would never be in danger again from the man who’d mated his mother. “Either way, I will strike.”

“I wasn’t challenging you, Creed.” Kado stumbled back a few steps.

“You wanted to take my mate, rape her, force her to become a breeder.” He advanced a step and lifted his sword. “Defend yourself or bow your head so I can get a cleaner cut. Your choice.”

“I’m your father! I’m ordering you to stand down!”

“You hold no authority over me.” Creed refused to take his gaze off him. “Are you ordering me to stand down, Lord Aveoth?”

“No. It’s your right to challenge him to the death. He did so already by attempting to steal your mate away.”

“I’m not challenging you,” his father hissed.

“You are a danger to my mate and your lack of care caused the death of my mother. Defend yourself or bow down for the removal of your head. It ends today.”

Kado gripped his sword and withdrew it. Pure rage darkened his eyes. “Then you shall die, and I will remove your head!”

“Try your best. I’ll even be sporting about it. You better leash that temper of yours. It never serves anyone well to take rage into the battlefield,” Creed warned.

“I’ll enjoy your mate’s screams when I have her chained down. Your body will still be cooling on the floor when I do it. I will not be merciful to her.”

“That won’t happen,” Kelzeb called out. “I’d challenge him first and personally return her to her pack, under my protection. He won’t ever get his hands on her. I have your back, Creed. Don’t allow him to distract you.”

Kado shot him a contemptuous look. “Stay out of this!”

Kelzeb crossed his arms over his chest. “I’d be paying attention to him. I know I’m not going to have to fight you. Dead men can’t lift swords.”

“Get your sword ready, Kelzeb,” Kado taunted. “This won’t take long.” He lunged, slashing the tip of his weapon at Creed.

Creed jumped back, blocking the killing blow directed at his throat. Metal clashed and sparks flew. Kado roared in rage and swung again, aiming for Creed’s middle. Creed spun, blocking that one as well.

Kado leapt up, attempting to jump over him to land at his back. Creed was ready for that maneuver. He wasn’t a novice. He ducked and went to one knee, spi

His father stumbled back and Creed kept low, throwing out a leg as he used his knee to support his weight, catching the bastard at the ankle. Kado crashed to the floor on his back. Creed rose and backed away to give him room to stand.

“Get up. I won’t finish you that fast. I’m enjoying this too much.”

Kado bent his knees, one hand bracing against the floor. Creed tensed, knowing what his opponent pla

Kado shoved hard against the floor, using the strength of his three limbs. It propelled him upward fast and it pissed Creed off. It wasn’t an honorable fighting move when an opponent allowed them to recover from a fall. Kado spun when he landed, trying to nail Creed with the side with his blade.