The Challenge (The Pack 2)

Elders?

Yeah, and I think you should talk to them.

Me? I squeaked, embarrassed that even telepathically I sounded terrified. You don’t think someone else….say Anna, would be a better choice?

You have to convince Anna first, he replied, shocking me.

What am I missing? I murmured internally, forgetting for a second that my mind was wide open to him with our connection.

They’re female, he replied and I shook my head.

Duh?

You remember my reaction to your scent?

My body had an extreme reaction to his question as adrenaline from the memory flooded through me. He’d barely been able to control himself and that was after he’d rescued me from the Hanleys chasing me. I’d felt the strong urge to jump him and I’d barely known him.

That wasn’t even the first time, he reminded me. It was the second time and a thousand times stronger than I ever expected. You want to invite a bunch of breeding females onto Pack lands? You’re going to get some push back. Especially from the women.

I really hate the term breeding females, I muttered automatically as I considered what he’d revealed.

It’s not a derogatory term. Just a statement of fact. They can all have shifter babies. Their scent hits us hard.

You too?

Not me, he denied instantly. Not with you around. You don’t know how many guys I’ve had to warn away from you though.

Warn away? I laughed. You mean there were actually some brave enough to incur your wrath?

You don’t know your own appeal, he said smugly. I’m a lucky guy.

Uh huh, more like genetics has you panting at attention, I told him.

Genetics might have brought you to my attention, he allowed. But they aren’t what keeps my attention.

Smooth, I murmured and felt his smile. You’re telling me I’m fighting a losing battle?

No, I think you’re right. I just want you to be prepared. He slipped from my mind and I dropped my head back against the wall.

“You look like you’ve lost some of that sparkly determination you had,” Trent noticed, his body loose as he sat down next to me. “Sam tell you to fuck off too?”

I wiggled my fingers, “Not exactly.” I smiled internally. “I’m not exactly her favorite person at the moment though.”

“You got her out of the motel room. I consider that a win.” He squinted at the tree line, no doubt picking out things my normal eyes would never spot. “So why you out here? Not that it isn’t safe, but you being indoors would make the guard dogs happier.”

“Can you hear them?” I asked curiously.

“Nope.” He rotated his shoulders as he glanced at me. “That’s a pack thing.”

“You think about being pack?”

“All the time,” he admitted candidly. He saw my start of surprise and smiled. “Wolves are pack animals. It’s instinct. Our nature. We need the bond.”

“Why….” I stopped myself, wondering if the question was too personal.

“I was fifteen and like Caleb, supposed to be the next alpha. My father was challenged and lost. The new alpha gave me a choice. Leave or die.”

“That is horrible,” I breathed, starting to understand why Caleb’s position was so precarious. Without Dom and Hank standing with him, he might have already been outed.

“It’s the way of life for some packs.”

“You couldn’t challenge him?” Trent shook his head lightly.

“I wasn’t prepared to be alpha,” he glanced at me with knowing eyes. “Or the fight it would take to become alpha.”

“Caleb.”

“He’s in a precarious position. One I don’t envy him for. He’s lucky though.” Trent crossed his arms over his knees, back braced against the wall next to me. “He has Dom.”

I nodded, tipping my head back to see the first stars appearing as dusk settled over the motel. “And Anna.”

Trent glanced at me in surprise. “Anna and Caleb?”

I shrugged. “She’s had a crush on him forever. It seemed like they were growing closer.”

“He’s alpha,” Trent said bluntly.

“And she’s a kickass she wolf,” I retorted.

“Yeah, she is,” he replied, a note in his voice. “She’s a rarity. I’m not sure he can appreciate that.”

“You don’t even know him,” I said hotly. “Caleb is a sweetheart.”

“With a fucking ton of responsibility thrust on him,” he answered mildly. “It’ll change a man.”

“He won’t run away from it,” I shot back, irrationally angry over what he was saying. “Caleb has friends who will support him. Help him follow the path his dad set for him.”

“No doubt you’re right,” he replied, lifting his hands up slightly.

“Don’t placate me,” I said harshly, pushing myself to my feet.

“How about this then? I hope you’re right and he doesn’t change. That the Caleb you knew is still there when this is all over.” He stared up at me lazily, not concerned that I stood over him. “But you know he won’t be. You know because you’ve already been down this path and there’s no going back.”

“You don’t know me,” I answered sharply.