“Why are we following this damn book?” Emily snapped.
Good question. Such a freaking good question.
Philip sighed. “I totally agree, but the law can’t be changed until a new Alpha takes over and changes it.” He wiped a hand down his face, looking too pale in the winter light. “I’ve been the Alpha for a long time, my father before that, my grandfather before him, and so on. We haven’t worried about a challenge for a long time, and I should’ve changed the laws. Didn’t think it mattered, really.” He shook his head. “Oh, there were still trials to endure, and the next Alpha might want to change that as well, but there wasn’t competition.”
“To the death,” Solomon provided helpfully.
Nadia’s gaze went to Caidrik again. If anything, his eyes burned hotter. She tore her attention away, her body rioting from his heated stare. As usual. “I don’t want anybody to die because of this. What if I choose one of you, the rest of you back out, and that’s the end of it? I understand the soon-to-be-Alpha will still go through trials, but it’d be alone and without the danger of definite death.”
“Works for me,” Caidrik drawled.
Her head snapped up. He didn’t know she’d choose him. In fact, there was something dangerous about him—more so than the others. Well, than three of the others. The fourth, Bulwark, was too much like Caidrik. On the surface, anyway.
“Not for me,” Bulwark said, glancing at Caidrik. “While my half-brother seems confident, I plan to kill him quickly, so we might as well do this with a prize in mind.”
Fury roared through Nadia so quickly her eyes hurt. “You tried to kill me, you asshole.” He’d stuck a silver knife into her back after she and Em had been kidnapped in December. He’d worked with their enemies in an effort to take over both packs.
“’Twas a mistake, I assure you,” Bulwark said. “One excused now because of the Alpha challenge, since you have Alpha blood in you and there’s an opening here. You could take the mantle, you know.”
Yeah, right. She’d have to fight for her position daily, every time one of these bigger and stronger wolves challenged her. She was raised as a farmer, not a fighter, and never had thought of leading a pack. How in the world had she ended up in this position? “Maybe I’ll kill you.” There was no maybe about it.
He flashed his teeth, looking like his brother. Like Caidrik, who was a pain in the ass but would never stab a female in the back. “I am greatly looking forward to you trying it, little blonde one,” Bulwark said.
What a shitty nickname.
Solomon tapped the book. “Remember that you all have made a blood oath that nobody will take or harm Nadia during this process. Should anyone try, you will be disqualified, and probably hunted by the pack. If we choose.”
“I like that idea,” Nadia said softly, meaning it. She could just leave, but as she looked out at the pack members beyond the challengers, at the fear and uneasiness on their faces, she steeled her spine. She already loved this pack, and she wouldn’t desert them. Why hadn’t she learned to fight instead of farm her entire life?
Solomon continued. “Her safety is paramount. Since we have challengers, each of you will endure ten trials meant to test you in every way possible.”
Philip stepped forward. “What most of you might not know is that you can compete to become the Alpha and refuse the, ah, mating to my daughter. Bring us all into the current times right off the bat.”
Solomon nodded, his eyes lighting. “Yes. When you introduce yourself to the pack, please say you, ah, deny the trophy? That way we can avoid the obligatory sit-downs right after we finish here. Then Nadia may leave with her family.” He nodded at Philip. “As you know, once the challengers declare, our current Alpha and his family must leave the territory until a new Alpha is decreed.”
Emily sucked in a breath.
Nadia gently brushed her elbow along Em’s. They’d argued about this already. She’d be left alone.
“Um, the, ah, trophy can leave if nobody wants a, er, trophy. So please deny the trophy now.” Solomon glanced down at the book. “That’s the language here, but I’m sure you can find a better way to say it.” He smiled at Nadia as if he were helping her.
She might kill him, too. Well, if she knew how.
He faltered and looked out at the field. “Left to right, please.”
“Bulwark McGregor.” He stepped forward, at least six and a half feet tall with dark hair and darker eyes. “From the McGregor family that was kicked out of this pack two hundred years ago. I’m the Alpha of the wandering Ghostwind Pack, and I’ll bring over a hundred strong members into this pack when I take over.” His gaze swept her. “I do not deny the trophy.”
So much for that idea. Dread slithered through her. “I’m no trophy,” she snapped.
Caidrik snorted.
The ass.
The next male, also over six feet with brown hair and light brown eyes, took a step forward. “Dax Moontel, former member of the Granite Pack. Left to find my way a long time ago and am ready to lead now. I have nearly a hundred wolves who will join with me. All wanderers wanting a home. I’ll take care of this one.” His eyes sparkled. “While I don’t deny the trophy, I plan to fully woo her before she decides to commit to me.” His smile held charm.
She smiled back, her face freezing. Her blood wouldn’t flow as hot as needed until the silver left her system.
The third male stepped forward, this one with dark and tousled blonde hair that contrasted with his intriguing green eyes. “I’m Luca Cross, current member of the remaining Ravencall pack, which has around one hundred members. Two hundred of our members joined the Granite Pack, as you may know. The rest of us, strong fighters, are willing to join this pack under my leadership.” His words and tone remained formal, but his eyes blazed. “I also don’t deny the trophy and plan to charm her into mating me once I become the Alpha.”
