A deep growl issued from Kaden’s throat. “She’s a member of the Ophiuchus pack, just like you and me. Pack mark and everything. I assume your memory is good enough to remember that she passed the tests and accepted the mark.” Tanner opened his mouth to speak, but Kaden raised his hand to stop him. “And beyond that, Ayla is my mate, and the pack’s new alpha female.”
A flurry of whispers went through the crowd as people looked amongst themselves as if trying to figure out what to do, or how to react to this news. I was just as shocked as everyone else hearing Kaden speak those words. I knew we were together and that he'd claimed me, but for him to announce it to the entire pack was beyond anything I'd ever expected. And calling me his alpha female? Oh shit. I was so not prepared for that.
"There's no mate bond between the two of you," another man said with a scowl. I recognized him as one of the men who rescued me. The one who'd thrown me in the back of the van. "She's still mated to the Leo alpha."
That brought up another flurry of whispers among the crowd. I spotted Harper and Jack out there, both of them looking worried, yet neither of them could do anything to stop this.
Kaden tilted his chin up as he addressed the crowd. “I’ve marked Ayla as my female, and anyone who has a problem with her has a problem with me."
This time the unrest was a bit louder, and I saw some of the expressions change to horror. A few people shook their heads. I’d never seen so much blatant disrespect shown toward Kaden.
“Fine." Tanner drew himself up taller and glared at Kaden. “I didn't want to have to do this, but I see no other choice. I challenge you for alpha."
Many people gasped, and I watched another ripple of unease go through the entire crowd. Even the other pack members weren't expecting that. I wondered how long it had been since anyone had challenged Kaden for alpha. Dad had been challenged every few years, including by Mira's father, but he'd always won. And the loser? Always ended up dead, or their entire family shunned, as in Mira's case.
“You can’t do that!” Stella cried out and stepped forward as if she was going to get between Kaden and Tanner.
Kaden held up a hand, and she stopped in her tracks. “No, it’s all right,” he said to her, his voice softening ever-so-slightly. When he turned back to Tanner, it hardened again. “Anyone can challenge the alpha. But I want to make sure you really want to do this. I’ve been challenged before, and I’m sure you remember. I. Don’t. Lose.”
Tanner paused, and I almost expected him to back down, but after a moment he jutted his chin forward. “A lot of us blame you for starting the war with the Leos. We were perfectly fine before this, living in hiding. We didn't need to get involved in Zodiac Wolves bullshit.” He looked behind him, where some of the shifters were nodding in agreement. “Now, some of us are dead, including my brother. After we fought the Leos, we had to leave our homes and come here to live in fear.” His eyes fell back on me. “Ayla is the reason why. She brought the Leos straight to us because she’s mate bonded to one of them.”
Guilt twisted my gut. He was right—about all of it. “I’m sorry. I never wanted to bring any harm to the pack. You’re like my family."
Kaden raised his hand once more, and I lapsed into silence, but he kept his eyes on Tanner. “You seem to have forgotten that we were planning to go to war with all of the packs anyway. That’s why we went to the Convergence, which I distinctly remember you being at. That’s what we've been training for all these years.”
Another ripple of unrest went through the pack, and I saw a few of the confused faces turn to shame. He was right, but it didn’t stop the guilt from weighing down my stomach. They wouldn’t have been found if not for me.
Kaden continued speaking. “We finally have a chance to make that happen. Ayla and I have been putting a plan into motion that could turn the tide for us. We can defeat our enemies and stop living as outcasts. We won’t have to hide anymore.”
Tanner didn’t look swayed. A few of the others were wavering, but I could still feel the tension in the air. Some of them were looking for violence, and I didn’t think Kaden’s words would be enough.
“That doesn’t matter,” Tanner said. “We’ve been training for your personal vendetta against the Leos, that's all. You’ve become so blinded by your rage and hurt that you can’t see that you’re taking it out on the pack, and now we're suffering because of it. Now you're taking the Leo alpha's woman, and things will only get worse. Your parents would have never wanted this.” He shook his head, his eyes full of scorn. "I’m going to be the new alpha and protect the pack. You can’t, that much is clear.”
Rage turned every angle in Kaden’s body extra sharp as he stood still enough for me to wonder if he was even breathing. For several long moments, no one dared to move. Then Kaden gave a terse nod. “Fine, we’ll fight tomorrow. Just after nightfall.”
Tanner stared Kaden down for a few moments longer, neither of them backing down. Then, he turned away and melted into the crowd. Kaden looked out at his pack members, but none of them seemed to want to stand up and speak against the alpha. Soon enough, they were slipping away as well, and we were left, just the three of us on the porch.
“I can’t believe you agreed to that,” I said to Kaden, my stomach twisting with fear.
“Agreed,” Stella said.
"What choice did I have?" Kaden asked, crossing his arms. "If he wants to challenge the alpha, that is his right."
“I'm going to go try to talk some sense into the pack members,” Stella said, and the anger left her all at once, leaving that tired, drawn look that I’d seen earlier. “I knew some people were upset about the direction we were taking as a pack, but I didn't think it had gotten so bad. Most people understand that we couldn’t live in hiding forever, and we just need to remind them that we are dying off too quickly to not rejoin the other packs. I just don’t think they realized that doing so comes with defeating the Leos too.”
"And the Sun Witches," I muttered. We still needed to catch Stella up on everything that we'd learned over the past few weeks.
“Eat some pasta and try to relax," Stella said. "I'll be back soon."
Then we were left alone. My earlier good mood from the thought of returning to my true family had dissipated in the wake of this new information. I had no idea that there were Ophiuchus pack members who opposed Kaden going to war with the Leos. I’d never gathered that before I’d left with Jordan. Everyone seemed to look up to Kaden, and every time he’d come up in conversation, they’d been singing his praises as an alpha. But maybe I just hadn't spent much time with that side of the pack.
“I’m worried,” I said, before I turned around to face Kaden.
“I’m not,” Kaden said, all cocky alpha energy.
I closed my eyes and wished that I had just an ounce of that surety. Before I could open them again, I felt Kaden shift closer. He wrapped me up in his arms, pressing the length of his body against my back.