Fight to the Death Ch. 08

Sorry it's taken so long to update this story, my life has been really crazy and I just haven't been able to do anything with this one until recently. I hope you like it, and yes, this story is almost done.

Thanks for waiting and reading!

Ashira

*

"Griffin, are you crazy?" Rogue asked, pulling him aside.

"I need to be able to keep you safe, and until those yahoos realize that I'm not going anywhere. They won't be able to take me," Griffin promised.

"Promise me you'll stay safe and that you'll be careful," Rogue whispered, looked up when Cole and Beth walked over. "Both of you," she added.

"Don't worry sis, we've got this," Cole assured his sister.

"You'd better," Rogue said grumpily. She watched as her husband, her mate and her brother walked to where Dave and Josh stood with the council members and their father.

"Remember what we taught you," Cole told Griffin as they came to a stop beside their adversaries.

"I will. I fully intend to go home to Rogue tonight," Griffin replied.

"Good, just keep it down, will you?" Cole asked with a grin. Griffin laughed, relieved that Cole wasn't angry with him for being with one of his sisters. Xavier walked up to his brothers.

"Keep your head down and remember what you're fighting for," Xavier told Griffin. Griffin nodded and watched as Xavier walked away.

"You're going down outsider!" Josh shouted from where he stood.

"Shut up you moron!" his father hissed. "You've shamed the family!"

Rogue and Beth huddled together, Raven and Marie stood behind them. "Mom, I'm sorry for this mess," Rogue said quietly.

"It isn't your fault Rogue, you love who you love. God has made Griffin your mate for a reason," Marie told her daughter, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Your father looks livid," she added, glancing at her husband.

"Yeah, he does," Rogue agreed.

"Doctor Lewis is here and she brought some help," Charles said, walking over to the small group.

"It's good to see you again, I'm Doctor Montague," the newcomer said.

"I hope we don't need your services," Marie murmured, after giving both doctors a welcoming smile.

"Me too," Doctor Montague agreed, glancing at Charles. She couldn't place it, but there was something about him. Rogue breathed a sigh of relief when Xavier came to a stop next to her and secured an arm around her waist.

"It's going to be okay kid," Xavier promised as the fight was started.

Rogue let out a small scream as Griffin went down hard and Xavier grabbed her arm to keep her in place. "If you go into the fray, he'll lose," Xavier reminded his sister.

"They're hurting him Xave," Rogue whispered. Raven and Beth slid their hands in to Rogue's and looked at each other

"Get up Griffin. Think about what he tried to do to Rogue," Cole said from his own fight with Dave.

"I told you you're going down outsider. And when you're dead, I'm going to rip the bastard from Rogue's body and fuck her traitorous thoughts right out of her head," Josh sneered. Dominic growled from his spot on the dais as he heard Josh's claims, but pack law prohibited him from intervening. Griffin saw red and as Josh shifted back into his wolf and lunged for Griffin, Griffin shifted and pushed his muzzle into Josh's throat, ripped it open before shifting back to his human form.

"You won't ever lay your hands on my wife ever again," Griffin growled, watched as Josh's life slipped away. He looked at his brother in law as Cole quickly dispatched Dave, not killing the younger wolf, but severely injuring him.

"The fight is over! Dave and Josh have been defeated. Josh will be buried outside of pack land and Dave will be banished!" Dominic announced. Cole and Griffin grabbed the robes that awaited them but before they could take a step, Rogue had run over to them and launched herself at Griffin.

"Easy Rogue," Griffin said with a groan. Rogue pulled away from Griffin and gasped when her hands were covered in blood.

"You're hurt," she whispered.

"He took a pretty good chunk out," Griffin admitted, his face pale.

"C'mon Grif, let's get you checked out," Cole said, helping his sister escort Griffin to where Doctors Lewis and Montague were waiting.

"How are you feeling?" Rogue asked Griffin later that night. She studied him carefully, her mind kept flashing back to seeing his stomach torn open after the fight.

"Better. Especially knowing that you're safe," Griffin answered, nuzzling her neck. Rogue smiled and sighed in content as Griffin wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you," Rogue whispered, smiled when the baby moved within her.

"I love you too. Both of you," Griffin said, kissed her before moving to plant a kiss on her expanded abdomen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Doctor Montague, wait, please!" Charles exclaimed.

"What is it?" Doctor Montague asked.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to have dinner with me tonight," Charles said, his heart pounding.

"It's been a long day," Doctor Montague reminded him.

"So lets go have some dinner, some wine and just relax," Charles suggested.

"Do you think you could get us in to Gambit?" Doctor Montague wanted to know. Charles grinned, knowing just how packed the restaurant could be at seven thirty on a Friday evening.

"I can guarantee it," Charles promised.

"How did you manage this?" Doctor Montague asked when they had been seated at an intimate table by the fire place.

"My sister in law owns it. So, what is your first name?" Charles wanted to know.

She laughed. "Maura. I'm Maura Montague," she told him. Charles smiled, lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Maura," Charles said, his voice husky. "So, how did you get interested in medicine?" he wanted to know.

"My father was a doctor and he worked with refugees in Rwanda," Maura answered. "I really admired that he helped those strangers and wanted to follow in his footsteps," she added.

"That's amazing. How did you get involved with were medicine?" Charles asked.

"I met Doctor Lewis at a seminar a year ago and we hit it off, she's been mentoring me ever since," Maura told him.

"Doctor Lewis is pretty amazing, if it weren't for her, Beth wouldn't be here," Charles said.

"Yeah, I like working with her," Maura agreed.

"What's the matter?" Charles asked as Maura nibbled at her apple crisp.

"There's something about you, I'm drawn to you, but I don't understand why," Maura said with a small frown. Charles smiled, reached across the table and took her hand.

"I know what it is," he began.

"What is it?" Maura wanted to know.

"You're my mate," Charles answered.

"What?" Maura gasped.

"My mate. I sensed it first when Xavier was in his coma, but things have been to chaotic with Rogue's situation for me to talk to you," Charles told her.

"What does that mean?" Maura asked.

"According to pack law, you would be my wife and the mother of my children," Charles told her.

"But I'm not were!" Maura reminded him, her eyes wide with surprise. Charles said nothing as Parker walked up to the table.

"Charles, if you see Beth tonight, tell her I think I might have something to report on Marcus," Parker said. Charles nodded.

"Will do Park. We're ready for the bill," Charles agreed.

"It's on the house, Beth's orders. Cole's parents and siblings get to eat for free," Parker said before he walked away.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Charles, your house is beautiful," Maura said, looking around in awe.

"Thank you. I let my sister Sydney decorate it," Charles commented as he showed her around. "This is my room," he added, stepping aside for Maura to come inside. The room was sparsely decorated with bamboo hardwood floors and the walls were painted with a sage green paint that reminded Maura of spring. The bed, dresser and bed side table were all hand made mahogany pieces.

"It's stunning," Maura breathed.

Charles studied Maura for a moment before turning her towards him. "I'm going to kiss you Maura, but the problem is, I may not be able to stop," Charles told her. Before Maura could say anything else, Charles lowered his lips to hers, his hands cupped her face. Maura arched against him and kissed him back, moaned as his hands slid down her neck and cupped her breasts through her shirt.

"Charles, I ..." Maura's protests were said in whispers.

"What's wrong?" Charles asked, his voice husky.

"I don't do this sort of thing," she admitted. Charles sat up and moved away from her. "I want to, but I don't have sex on the first date," Maura added.

"This is more than sex. My wolf has claimed you as my mate. If we have sex, I won't be able to hold back," Charles told her.

"I don't want to be a wolf," Maura said.

"You don't have to be," Charles assured her. Before Maura could say anything else, the phone rang and Charles growled. "What?" he all but barked.

"It's Cole. We need everyone back at the compound now." With that, Cole hung up the phone.

"What's wrong?" Maura asked.

"I don't know, I'm wanted at the compound." Charles stood up and smoothed out his shirt. "You should come with me, you may be needed," he added. Maura nodded and stood up, followed him out of the house.

"You ruined a perfectly good evening," Charles grumbled when they walked into his parents house. Cole glanced at Maura and grinned knowingly.

"Sorry Charles, but it's important." Cole fell silent as Beth and Raven walked into the hall.

"We think we found Marcus but he's gathering an army. It's going to take all of us to beat him," Beth said.

"Is there something I should know about?" Dominic asked, looking between Charles and Maura.

"Maura's my mate," Charles told his father, glancing back at her. Beth smiled and hugged her brother in law.

"I'm happy for you Charlie," she said softly. Charles growled at the nickname but the smile never left his face.

"I'm afraid that I'm going to have to ask you to put your mating off for at least a few days," Dominic said.

"A few days," Charles agreed.

"Good. I need all of the men in the pack to meet with Beth, Rogue and Raven in the library," Dominic announced. Charles glanced at Maura before following his brother, father and sisters in law to the library.

"You can wait in the den with the rest of us," Rogue said quietly from the doorway.

"How are you feeling?" Maura asked as she followed the younger girl into the den.

"I'm feeling pretty good. I only have a few more months left," Rogue answered.

"How come Raven and Beth got to go into the meeting?" Sydney asked, whining.

"Beth and Raven are there because this is their meeting. This is ultimately their fight, but they need the help of the pack to stop this maniac," Marie told her daughter, giving her a warning look.

"I want to join the battle," Sydney said.

"No Syd, you're too young," Marie argued.

"I'm twenty four years old! I am not too young! I know how to fight!" Sydney snapped.

"I'm going to need your help Syd. Once Griffin is healed enough, he'll be joining Cole and the others in the battle," Rogue said softly. Sydney opened her mouth to protest again but sighed and sank back into the couch cushion she was sitting on.

"How many times has the pack gone to war?" Maura wanted to know.

"A fair few," Marie said, giving the young doctor a kind smile.

"You'll be privy to those once the mating is complete," Rogue told her.

~~~~~~~~~~

"How are you really feeling?" Maura asked Rogue when she'd gotten the girl alone.

"I'm exhausted and I'm worried," Rogue answered.

"You're looking a little worn for the wear. Do you want me to check you out?" Maura wanted to know.

"No, I'm okay, nothing sleep won't fix. It's been a long day," Rogue said with a laugh.

"Well, let me know if you want me to check you," Maura told Rogue.

"I will," Rogue murmured as Griffin walked out of the den. "What's going on?" she wanted to know.

"They're leaving in the morning. Your father has instructed me to take you back to the house and lock you up until this is over," Griffin answered.

"I'm not about to roll over and play dead," Rogue snapped, the stress of the day finally getting to her.

"Go home and take care of your baby," Marie said to Rogue, her voice firm but gentle.

"Griffin," Rogue whispered. He sighed, pulled her away and hugged her close.

"I'll be alright Rogue. I'll come home to you and to the baby, I promise," Griffin said softly, brushed his thumb against her cheek before kissing her gently. "Now, you'll go home and stay where it's safe, or I'll take your father's advice and lock you in the basement," he added.

"Just be careful," Rogue pleaded.

"I promise I will be," Griffin told her. He kissed her again and turned as he heard Dominic, Cole and Xavier walk into the room.

"We need to go now," Beth said quietly from behind him, her eyes were full of sympathy when she looked at her sister in law.

"All of you be careful," Marie instructed as her family turned to leave.

"We will. Look after the pack Marie," Dominic said, giving his wife a tender look.

"Don't worry about the pack Dominic, worry about your own hide," Marie told him. She put her arm around Rogue and Sydney while they watched Dominic, Cole, Xavier, Charles, Raven, Beth, Mage, and several other of the pack warriors leave the compound to face the unknown.