“I’ll earn my place.” Booker’s tone was threaded with steely determination. “Whatever it takes.”
Caelan studied Booker for a long, heavy moment, then gave a single nod. It wasn’t acceptance, but this was the first real step toward it. And my heart swelled with hope.
People began to drift into smaller clusters, speculating about how difficult the trials would be.
I stood rooted in place. Booker hadn’t even begun, and I was already worried about him getting hurt. We hadn’t even gotten the chance to have a real conversation, and my brother was already putting him to the test.
My lynx paced restlessly inside me, torn between pride in the strength radiating from my mate and irritation with Caelan. Booker’s gaze found mine through the crowd, and his expression gentled in a way that made my breath catch. Heat climbed up my neck, and I had to look away before my brother noticed how undone I was becoming.
“Preparations begin immediately. The trials will commence at first light,” Caelan announced.
The finality in his tone made the bottom of my stomach drop.
As the last of the chain members dispersed, I turned toward him. “The ancient trials? Really?”
He shrugged. “I had to come up with a new plan on the fly, and it was the first tradition that fit.”
I shook my head with a sigh. “How will having two other alphas here affect the trials? Will they be allowed to help him?”
Caelan considered my question before answering, “They will be allowed to assist him to a limited degree, provided they do not compromise the integrity of the tradition.”
A rough sound came from behind us. “They’re here for her just as much as me.”
Caelan stiffened but turned to give Booker a curt nod, motioning toward him. “If you want to speak with my sister briefly before the trials begin, do it now.”
Booker stepped forward and nodded toward the alphas flanking him. “Keane’s a grizzly. He’s my current alpha. The Wilderness Pack is small and remote. It suits me.”
Keane chuckled. “We’re not quite as off the beaten path as here.”
“And Kace?” I asked softly.
“I grew up in Timber Ridge,” Booker explained. “My parents are still there, so I visit often.”
I loved that Booker had two different worlds at his back.
Caelan cleared his throat sharply. “That’s enough.”
Booker didn’t even look at him. His attention stayed on me, like he was memorizing every breath I took before being pulled away again.
Riven stepped in to escort him toward the guest wing. I remained frozen long after he disappeared around the corner.
Everything changed tomorrow, and I could only hope my brother knew what he was doing.
7
BOOKER
Iwas awake before the first hint of light touched the mountains. Which wasn’t surprising when my wolf had been pacing inside me all night. He was pissed off and restless, shoving against my ribs every time I drifted toward sleep.
The separation from Alara was a physical ache that felt wrong in a way nothing else ever had.
I dragged a hand over my face and blew out a slow breath. I’d never been afraid of a challenge, but the stakes had never been this high. Letting my mate down wasn’t an option.
A knock sounded on the door, pulling me from my thoughts.
“It’s time,” Riven’s voice rumbled through the wood.
My wolf pushed at my skin, eager to see Alara again. I pulled on the boots Keane had brought for me and opened the door. “Ready.”
