Scent of Valor (Chronicles of Eorthe #2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

mates. He wouldn’t force her, but at least he could enjoy her rejection face-to-face. He shook the thought from his mind. It wasn’t what he wanted. If he lost, he’d crawl back home and lick his wounds, but he could be proud. He also had plenty of lovers who’d pamper him back to health, but he didn’t want that anymore either.
    He wanted a mate, a true match to bear his young and stand at his side with pride. Not some shifter who just fancied his pretty fur and face. Kele saw past all that. At least, he thought she did.
    He rubbed his sore head. If he kept thinking about this, he’d go mad. “I’m going.”
    Sorin slapped him on the shoulder. “Good. Susan will be furious with me for letting you go, but she doesn’t understand our ways.”
    Peder laughed. “You’ve more courage than the rest of us.”
    “You do too. If you doubt stepping into the ring, remember this: Kele couldn’t find a better mate than you.”
    He nodded and took a deep breath as the tense muscles in his chest relaxed. For the first time since they’d left Temple lands, he felt settled. This was the right thing to do. He gathered his clothes before tossing them into a pack, which he slung over his back.
    Sorin opened the gate. “Beat him to the ground,” were his parting words as Peder raced out into the forest.
    Pale coral of dawn light outlined the mountain tops as he climbed the pass leading to Temple lands. He’d arrive before the mating parties and rest. Maybe even wash in a stream. He’d stand tall in the center of the Temple until both packs arrived. It was easier if he pretended to act like a hunter than to truly think he was one. With enough practice, maybe one day those lines would blur.
    The sun hung just above the horizon, blazing with a hint of summer, as Peder descended the mountain. He turned around a sharp corner of the trail and stumbled upon a band of males. Digging his claws in the dirt, he came to a sudden halt. The wind blew in the wrong direction for him to have scented these vampires. No one should be on this part of the pass. It was still Apisi land.
    Had Benic finally decided to kill him off? It seemed too cowardly for the vampire; he would prefer to sink his blade in Peder’s back personally. Besides, these bloodsuckers didn’t wear Benic’s colors.
    They drew their weapons.
    He backed away. “You’re on Apisi pack land.”
    One of them laughed. “Shifters don’t own land. This is Lord Benic’s forest last I heard.” He spoke with a thick lilting accent.
    “You’re not from his castle.” The cliff walls on each side of him were too steep to run and if he climbed, the vampires with bows would find him a fine target.
    “No, we’re not.” The leader chuckled. “And you have rather pretty fur.”
    His men fanned out around him.
    Peder’s racing heart stopped. They wanted his fur? He scrambled backward but the loose soil under his claws made it difficult to gain any distance. Panic didn’t help either. Shifters were stronger than vampires, but there were four of them and only one of him. What were they going to do with his fur?
    “Easy, mate. We ain’t going to hurt you,” one of the closer bloodsuckers said. “We’ll get a fine bag of gold for this one.”
    Peder rose on his hind legs and snarled like Sorin had taught him. His fur stood on end along his spine.
    “Don’t let him escape,” shouted a vampire as he pulled a blowgun from his belt.
    Peder swiped his claws at the vamp that wanted him for gold. Something stung his neck. He clapped a hand over the spot and pulled out a thin dart.
    Dog shit, not again. His knees turned to water and he kissed dirt.
    Kele ran her fingers over the fine blue and white beadwork that formed a white wolf on her dress. “This must have taken forever to do.” So much fuss for a simple mating. Her parents weren’t known for their modesty. Everything had to be on a grand scale, including her mating day.
    Mother hadn’t even let her do her own hair.
    She