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.Without hesitation, Sandy sprinted into the woods.Chapter ElevenThey were drawing close to their mate when Ben heard it--a yip of pain and an aggressive snarl.Not pausing, he glanced to his left at Devon.It's in the direction we need to go, his beta commented, using the mental link between an alpha and beta.Ben nodded.Let's check it out.Seconds later, they heard growling and snapping echo through the darkening trees.The setting sun's rays no longer reached the forest floor, and through the shadows Ben spotted a large brown wolf attacking a small white wolf.He recognized the brown wolf as Roger, but didn't know the white one.She wasn't pack, but it was easy to see she wanted nothing to do with Roger, and was fighting for all she was worth to avoid being mated to him.Those are the cougars from Sandy's.Devon's comment had Ben's gaze snapping to the left, where two cougars watched the wolves in silence.They looked agitated, but didn't interfere.Ben returned his focus to the wolves and realization hit like a ton of bricks.That's Sandy! She's shifted!Without waiting for a response from Devon, Ben launched into the fray.He grabbed Roger's ruff and yanked the smaller wolf off his mate.From the corner of his eye, he saw Devon place himself between them and the cougars, growling in warning.Sandy, baby? You okay? Devon asked through their mind link.Devon? Sandy asked tentatively.Yeah, baby.It's me and Ben.A harsh laugh sounded through Ben's head, surprising him.I was planning to be satisfied knowing the pack killed you, Ben, but this is so much better.Now I get to kill you myself!Ben growled, watching Roger circle him.How had he missed it? The wolf had hidden his ability to speak telepathically as a wolf, an ability only alphas and betas exhibited.You should have told me, Roger.I could have helped you find a place in another pack.It's not too late to do that, you know.Although he'd love to sink his teeth into the other wolf, Ben would settle this peacefully if he could.Sandy's safety was paramount.Roger's harsh laughter and lunge forward told him better than words.Ben dodged left, keeping himself between the attacking wolf and Sandy.Swiping a paw, he caught Roger's side as the other shifter's momentum carried him past him.Before Roger could turn, he jumped forward and sank his teeth into Roger's haunch.The wolf howled, twisting around to try to reach him.Ben released his hold and stepped back.A heavy body slammed into him, and he turned to face one of the cougars.As an alpha wolf shifter, Ben weighed in at two-hundred-forty pounds, quite a bit larger than a normal wolf.If he had to guess, the cougar weighed twenty to thirty pounds less than him.You're helping a rogue wolf kidnap an alpha-mate, he warned.Rance will punish you for this.He didn't know if the cougar could hear him, but if he could warn the cat away, this would go down so much easier.I don't know who this Rance is, the cat replied with a snarl.But we will not allow you to steal Roger's mate as your family has stolen his pack.Ben couldn't have been more surprised at the cat's response, and almost didn't move quick enough to evade the cougar's attack.He had no idea what lies the other wolf had filled the cougar's minds with, but he now understood why Rance hadn't been able to figure out who the cougars were.This was a pair of strays.Jumping sideways, he swiped his claws along the cougar's side before pivoting and facing Roger's launching form.Dropping to his belly, he allowed the wolf to land on him, but before he could dig in his claws and latch his jaws around him, Ben used his heavily muscled hind legs to rear up and slam Roger into a nearby tree.He heard a resounding crack, and the weight slid away.But the relief was short lived as the cougar pounced.Ben felt powerful jaws wrap around his neck.Before he could react, the weight was gone.He looked around in concern and spotted Adam being tossed aside by the other shifter.A massive roar echoed through the trees along with Rance's shouted order."Cougars, stop!"Recognizing an alpha, the cougars dropped and rolled, exposing their bellies to the stronger cougar.Ben spotted Sandy standing behind Devon, who was slowly backing away from a cowering cougar.He watched Adam roll to his belly and shake his head.He knew his beta must still be dizzy, and although he was grateful for his help, Ben still planned to discipline the disobedient wolf.Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a groggy Roger rising from the ground.He crossed to the wolf and wrapped his jaws around the shifter's neck.Shift or die, Roger.Seconds later, a naked man lay in the snow.Ben released him and shifted as well.He lifted a brow at Devon, who quickly trotted over to watch the rogue.Sandy crossed to Adam, nuzzling him.You okay? she asked.Adam nuzzled her back.I am now.Ben turned to Rance and smirked."Nice timing, my friend, but what are you doing here?"His gaze still fixed on the two stray cougars, Rance said, "I heard from another pack member that my hunting cabin was being used by your rogue wolf.I wanted to make certain it was true before letting you know.When I arrived, I could smell all of you."His gaze finally lifted to Ben's."You're only half a mile from there.If you want to come with me, I'll drive you back to your place
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