Chapter 26

Hayes’ POV

I scoffed. I should have let the rogue live. No fucking way. I showed no mercy to my enemies. My brother was gracious enough to give them a chance to leave the territory, but they decided to get cocky and lust after my woman.

If I had let him live, that rogue would have started running his mouth about my mate. Ruby had once used her shielding abilities to protect everyone there. I couldn’t risk that. She could hate me or call me a murderer, but at least she’d be safe.

“She didn’t mean that,” Zylon said, handing me a glass of bourbon—the only thing we shared in common, aside from Ruby. I gulped it down.

“I don’t care,” I replied. I cared very much about what my mate thought of me, but I wouldn’t admit that to my brother and friends. I wasn’t wired that way. The door opened, and Shane and Tate walked in, their faces stern. They were in Beta and Gamma mode.

“How did they get into the territory?” I asked.

“Blind spots. They used back