Free Marked for Life by Jaxx Steele Page B

height. "Need I remind you that you've challenged me before, Mark? And lost?" he asked arrogantly.
    Mark didn't need reminding. Even all these years later, the failure still remained fresh in his mind.
     
    * * * *
     
    The hunting party had broken off into groups. Raymond, Mark, and Stephan were in one group and spied a large buck that would take two of them to bring down. During the chase Raymond held back while Mark and Stephan attacked. Stephan gave the buck a crippling bite to its hind leg and Mark took the opportunity to deliver a death blow to its neck. The two wolves were holding the animal to the ground waiting for the buck's death kicks to cease when Raymond ambushed Stephen from behind. The fight was neither fair nor equal, Raymond being twice the size of his victim. The attack was unprovoked and unexpected. He clamped down on the soft spot on Stephan's throat from behind, ending his life. His death was swift and brutal.
    Mark howled his rage at Raymond's disgraceful assault on one of their brothers, Mark launched himself into the air in defense of his fallen friend. Mark gave him a good fight, but unbeknownst to him Raymond had recently taken a mate. In their race, taking a mate allowed the two to become one. Once their souls joined, each would get the best of their partner's abilities, thus enhancing what they already possessed and adding new skills to their arsenal.
    His fangs tore into Mark's hide repeatedly and without restraint. Bleeding profusely, Mark fell to the dirt, but Raymond continued to viciously maul him. Unable to defend himself, there was no doubt in his mind that he was about to die. Only the arrival of the rest of the pack stopped Raymond's attempt.
    Raymond quickly told them he and Stephan that had taken down the buck and Mark had been the one who callously turned on them . That Mark had muttered something about challenging the chief on his next rampage and Raymond had decided t he only way to save their leader from Mark ' s treachery was to destroy him.
    The members of the group looked to Mark for an explanation, but Mark's injuries prevented him from shifting, so he could not speak. He tried sending the correct details of what transpired into the minds of his brethren using the mind link they all shared in wolf form, but the pain radiating through him was so great that he could not focus on anything else. Unfortunately, they accepted his silence as an admission of guilt and Raymond's deceit prevailed.
    His people left Mark where he fell, wounded and teetering at death's door. They had all turned their backs on him and left him to die. The agony he felt in his limbs was nothing compared to what was in his heart. But even in his suffering he was aware the odor of his blood rode on the wind, attracting other predators and scavengers of the woods; staying where he was would result in further slaughter.
    Mark spied a nearby tree hollow and tried to crawl to it. Exhausted with his efforts he collapsed just inside the opening, his breathing raspy and shallow. When a tree sprite appeared before him, his chest rattled so noisily as he took in his last breaths that Mark mistook her for a death dream. She was beautiful, with flowing russet hair, smooth brown skin, and sparkling leaf-green eyes. He whined, satisfied with her being the last thing he saw, and then closed his eyes to welcome oblivion.
    Brave wolf, do not be afraid. Your journey will not end here.
    Shocked, Mark had opened his eyes. His ears did not pick up the sound of her voice because the words were spoken directly into his mind. She sat beside him, gently stroking the blood-soaked fur on his neck. Her touch eased the ache enough for him to drag himself fully into the shelter of the tree.
    You tried to right a wrong and you will not die for it. I will heal you and though you will be a loner you will not be alone. When it is time for you to right the evil done to you, I will return.
     
    * * * *
     
    Mark stood before his betrayer and knew