Even though everything is going wrong, I still have to challenge him. I have to face him like a man. I have to reclaim the pack for good.
I have to conquer Jeffrey.
“Did you send those men after Red?” I ask. I won’t call her Scarlett in front of him. Her real name is special. He knows it, of course, but I won’t let it cross my lips where he might taint it. He can call her “Red” or nothing at all, but he’s going to find out really soon what happens when someone threatens my girl.
He laughs.
The fucker actually laughs.
“Oh, to be young and naïve again,” Jeffrey says with a smile. His grin morphs into a sneer and he keeps talking, obviously sure he’s won. He probably thinks he’s going to pull me aside and kill me, but that won’t happen. Not today. “Of course I did. She killed our grandmother. She had to go.”
Red gasps, but I don’t react. It doesn’t surprise me that this is how he wants to play things. He’s always been harsh, but realistic. If he can’t convince the pack that I’m evil, he won’t be able to convince them to let him kill me. By slandering Red’s character, he’ll be able to show them how bad and evil she is in a simple way.
He’ll be able to convince the entire pack that she’s the murderer he’s been searching for: not the other way around.
Red opens her mouth to protest, but I shake my head at her, just slightly. It’s enough to quiet her. Good girl. Anything she says will be used against her, so right now, it’s best if she just stays quiet.
I can hear hushed whispers and words floating through the crowd, rumors and people talking. A few of the younger wolves are pushing and shoving each other already. Soon this is going to escalate and it’s going to be bad.
Jeffrey just smirks.
Doesn’t he care about his wolves? Doesn’t he care about his pack?
“I can’t thank you enough for bringing me my darling sister,” Jeffrey says. “And I can assure you that she will be handed in to police custody as soon as possible.”
“You won’t get away with this!” Ryder shouts, and I cringe. Dammit, man. Get it together. I hear him grunt as one of Jeffrey’s minions punches him in the gut, and I know it’s time.
I clear my throat, lift my head, and meet his eyes.
“To be honest,” he says again, before I can speak. “I’m a bit surprised to see you here, Nash. When you disappeared after Elise’s death, we all thought you were responsible.” Fake grief flaunts across his face, and I see one wolf roll their eyes. So not everyone believed him that I was responsible. That’s good. “Perhaps we should also turn you into the authorities.” He pauses and his eyes flash, fiery with anger. “For questioning.”
“I didn’t kill Elise.” I grit out. “I love her.” I take a deep breath, and then I say what I came here to say. “I challenge you.” Suddenly, the crowd goes silent. The grip on my arms loosens, and I step forward.
“What did you say?” Someone in the front row says, and I repeat myself.
“I challenge you for pack Alpha,” I say.
Jeffrey looks like he wants his guards to take me away, but he can’t get away now. Too many people have heard the challenge. Already the cr
owd is parting, forming a large circle, and I’m in the center.
This is happening.
The last time the pack saw a challenge was six months ago when little Tony Miller decided he was the big bad and could take on the Alpha. Jeffrey destroyed him before the kid had even taken his first leap. Now, I haven’t been around for a few months, but from the looks of things, everyone’s gotten a bit antsy.
Murmurs and whispers are turning into calls and shouts. Red looks confused, but Ryder and Thorn look hopeful for the first time since Jeffrey’s guys grabbed us.
Maybe we have a shot.
Jeffrey is still standing in front of the cave entrance, but a few shifters are starting to egg him on.
“I won’t tolerate this,” he says, but I just glare.
“A challenge is a challenge,” I say. “You gonna break tradition? Or maybe you’re too scared. Maybe you want to just step aside and let someone else have a go at leading the pack. I’d be happy with you excommunicated. We don’t have to fight to the death, you know.”
That gets him moving and he steps forward. One step, and then another. My skin is tingly and on fire. I’m ready for this fight. I’m ready to take him. His guys the other day? They were just a warm-up for the real thing. He’s going down hard and I’m going to save the day for my girl.
“You got this, Nash,” Marybeth calls out, and I know I have at least one person on my side. I nod at her, but don’t smile. Now isn’t the time to show affection. If I win – and I know that I desperately need to win – I’ll make sure to thank her later.