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Wade ran his fingers through his hair, making it stick up in
places. "The stupid fool decided he had to take care of Gren
himself. Beowulf sent Gren a formal challenge."
"And did Gren accept it?"
"Of course he did. He wouldn't pass up a chance like that. I
tried to talk Beowulf out of it, but once he has his mind set on
something, there's no way you can reason with him."
"I hope he had enough foresight to bring a couple other
pack members along with him. You can't count on Gren
playing by the rules."
202
Beowulf and Roxie
by Marisa Chenery
Wade snorted. "No, he went alone even though he knew
Gren would have his men with him."
Royce turned to Roxie. "It looks as if there's a change in
plans for tonight. I'll take you home then I'll go after
Beowulf."
Roxie adamantly shook her head in refusal. "No. That will
take too long. I'm coming with you." Seeing how both Royce
and Wade were about to argue against her decision, Roxie
glared at them until they backed off. "I'm going and that's
final. Now where is this challenge supposed to take place?"
Wade reluctantly answered her question. "At Muir Woods."
"What exactly does Gren find so appealing about Muir
Woods?" When Wade and Royce looked at her as if she should
know the answer to that question, Roxie glared at them
again. "Okay, I get it. Wolves love the forest and Muir Woods
is the closest forest to San Francisco. It just seems so
stereotypical to me that had to be the place where two
werewolves would go to challenge each other."
"It's also the least likely spot to draw unwanted attention,"
Royce added. "Wade, do you want to come with us or are you
needed here at the club?"
"I'm coming with you. I can get one of the others to look
after things and close the club up at the end of the night. I'll
just have to tell Carl where we're going."
"Fine. Do what you have to do. Roxie and I will wait for
you in the parking lot."
Wade quickly left the room. Roxie grabbed Royce by the
arm before he could move to follow. "I can tell there is more
to this than a simple challenge."
203
Beowulf and Roxie
by Marisa Chenery
Royce took hold of Roxie by her upper arms and looked
into her eyes. "You're right, this is no simple challenge. The
grudge Gren has carried for Beowulf is large. He will use this
opportunity to make Beowulf pay for everything he has done
to him. This will be more than a simple test of strength
between two werewolf males. Gren will make it so it's a fight
to the death."
Roxie just knew it had to be something like that, but it
didn't make her feel any better. Silently, she followed Royce
out of the office and out to where he had left his car in the
parking lot. She could only hope they showed up in time to
stop Beowulf from making a mistake that could cost him his
life.
* * * *
Beowulf followed the Muir Woods main trail until he
reached the point where he had to cut a path of his own
through the forest. There was a designated spot in the woods
that had become the official area where all werewolf
challenges took place. Reaching the clearing, he saw Gren
was already there waiting for him. Scanning the tree line, he
searched for clues as to where Gren's men were hidden.
There was no question in his mind Gren wouldn't have come
alone.
Walking farther into the clearing, Beowulf's gaze bored into
his opponent, letting him see how much he loathed him. "I'm
glad to see you still have some honor left, Gren, and that you
decided to accept my challenge."
204
Beowulf and Roxie
by Marisa Chenery
"Why would I turn down something I've waited for so
many years? It's a dream come true."
"I'm only doing this so you will have no choice but to stay
away from Roxie."
"How very loyal of you to issue a challenge to protect your
former mate. I heard the lone wolf managed to take her away
from you. Once I have you out of the way, the lone wolf is
next on my list."
Beowulf ground his teeth together at the mention of Royce
claiming Roxie as his mate. "Roxie is still my mate."
"You still claim her as your mate even though she has let
another man get between her legs? You're pathetic, Beowulf."
He knew what Gren was trying to do make him angry
enough to let the fury take away his better judgment and
strike without thinking. Beowulf knew that, but it still didn't
make it any easier for him to let Gren's taunts roll off his
back. "I didn't take you for a gossiping old woman, Gren.
Since you have such an interest in my life, maybe you find
yours so inadequate that you take great satisfaction in
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