Alphas burden

39CADEN

“Good, because I’m going to kill you.” My wolf is evident in every word. “Come down here and face me.”

Lorne doesn’t move right away. The disrespect and disregard for my authority rakes over my patience, stirring the need for retribution and my impending rampage until I’m strung tight like a bow ready to snap.

He doesn’t realize how much danger he’s in. My wolf won’t be satisfied until he spills blood.

At last, Lorne rises, coming off his false throne with measured steps that make my skin prick with the urge to punch him repeatedly and squeeze his throat until the light goes from his eyes. I force out a breath to remain in place. He’ll come to me.

I’m not giving up a fucking inch for this sniveling cocky little shit that thinks he’s beaten me without earning my rank from me.

He keeps his distance, faking me out a few times. I don’t fall for it.

When he’s within range, I attack, going for the opening with a brutal punch that snaps his jaw to the side. He bites back a groan. I rear back and throw another. He blocks poorly, but manages to slip away and dance around me, bouncing on his toes in a fighter’s stance.

“Have to be faster than that,” he goads.

Lorne wants to draw this out. My lip curls at his insolence. I’m going to smash his face into the ground and paint the damned walls and floor with his blood.

My gaze cuts to Avery for a brief second. She’s not waking up. I don’t like how little she’s moving. How I can’t sense her properly. Even though I can’t feel the bond, I reach for it anyway, using it to urge her to open her eyes and escape to safety. It doesn’t work.

I block Lorne’s sloppy left hook, stepping inside his guard to jab him in the stomach. He keels over with a grunt, then slashes at my stomach. His claws slice my torso. I back out of reach with a scowl.

The cut isn’t deep enough to slow me down. It tingles, the skin knitting back together until it stops bleeding and only angry pink lines remain. My gaze narrows, attention darting to check on Avery. She hasn’t moved.

For a harrowing second, I fear her heart’s stopped, grabbing hold of the bond blindly. The shroud ebbs away, the co

I’m done. This ends now so I can get to her.

“Stop ru

“I’m not, you’re just too slow.” He smirks, wiggling his fingers. “Your instincts aren’t as sharp as you think. It’s why you’re a lousy alpha. You’re too blind to wield the power the way it’s meant to be. To rule absolutely.”

I don’t bother responding, swinging my fist just to shut him the hell up. I don’t give a shit about what he’s saying. He sounds like he wants to run my pack like the alphas of the Original Pack. He doesn’t care about the people in it, all he wants is power and to be on top.

He shoves me back, sneering when it does little to upset my center of balance. Mistake. I grab him by the throat, squeezing. His eyes bulge and he knees me in the groin. I stumble back, clenching my jaw as pain burns through me.

Lorne’s nerve boosts again once he’s out of immediate danger. “I’ve waited so long for this day,” he taunts. “Once I’m finished taking this pack that should’ve always been mine by birthright, I’ll be taking your mate, too.”

I see fucking red, roaring. He’ll never have her. My wolf charges, bursting from me with immense power. He’s done waiting.

Lorne doesn’t shift immediately. His mask of confidence cracks, his smile and the corners of his eyes tight. He knows he’s no match for me. I’ll end him here and now.

Fight me, my wolf howls.

He glances at my uncle, earning a glare. I toss my head. There’s no interference in a fight for rank. He issued the challenge and he needs to see it through. There’s no tapping in a second.

I prowl the floor, inching closer to Lorne each time I circle him. His throat bobs, eyes skittering about the room.

Shift. My wolf’s snarl carries Alpha power.

It forces Lorne’s wolf out. He buckles under the change, falling to his paws as he transforms. His tail tucks and he shuffles back when I stalk up to him, baring my teeth.

He lunges for me, too desperate and wild with cowardice. It’s stinking up the room, his scent unable to trick my wolf’s nose. I take him down with a precise tackle, scratching his belly when he rolls. He whines, kicking at me with his back feet. It throws me off, but not for long.

I twist, landing on my paws. He’s rolling to get up. I charge him before he’s on his feet, pouncing once more to keep him pi

The challenge is over. He’s lost.

It’s time to finish this. My snarling maw opens to sink my teeth into his throat in victory, fangs dripping with saliva.

Before I can, a weight slams into me from behind with a ferocious growl. I roll, whipping to face the one who would dare break shifter law to interrupt an Alpha challenge.

It’s his father. My uncle. I should’ve known Lorne would fight dirty. He never stood a chance of wi

Cormac’s wolf joins Lorne’s, both of them attacking at once.