My Defender(29)

"Eventually, hunters got them, even the pups. I was drifting and grieving when I overheard a couple of witches that were camped out while gathering plants. They were talking about Noctem Falls needing new warriors. So I shifted back to human for the first time in nearly twenty-five years and made my way here." He chuckled. "Learning how to walk on two legs again was interesting. Everyone thought I was drunk. But by the time I reached the city, I had built up enough muscle to pass the warrior test."

Declan exchanged looks with Adriel and held up his hand. "Wait a minute. You were only fifty years old when you joined the Eta Unit?"

Grant thought about it a moment. "There about, yeah."

Adriel looked pale. "You were so quiet and mature when you arrived. I never questioned your age."

Grant rubbed the back of his neck. "I hadn't learned how to talk again by the time I got here."

Ellie watched as her friend cuffed the back of Declan's head. Kari was fuming. "You did not even notice that your friend could not speak?"

Declan rubbed his head. "I just thought he was quiet." He looked over at Grant, his face a mask of sorrow. "I am so sorry."

Grant shook his head, grinning. "Don't be. Your constant yammering had me speaking again in no time. I swear you never shut up."

"So this Alpha Born thing is because of his family line?" Meryn asked.

Declan shook his head. "I don't have it. It's not a guarantee just because you come from an older family. Alpha Borns are really rare. They are usually bigger, stronger, smarter, faster, and more charismatic than their peers."

Meryn looked up at her mate. "Are you one?"

Aiden nodded. "Yes. It was one of the reasons Edward Carthage tried so hard to kill me. He knew it was simply a matter of time before I took over as Unit Commander."

"Byron?" she asked.

Aiden grinned and shook his head. "No, he's just that good."

Meryn scowled. "I miss him."

Aiden pulled Meryn into his lap. "I know baby. We'll see him soon."

Ellie looked over at Demetrio. "How did you know he was Alpha Born downstairs?"

Demetrio tapped his neck. "He used something we call the Alpha Voice. He can command the respect and obedience of those around him. For that very reason, Alpha Borns are coveted. They are given every opportunity and the finest education. It is almost a given that they become the leaders of our people."

Grant gave a harsh laugh. "Finest education? My father didn't believe a warrior needed to know how to read. I was illiterate until I came here. Aaron Culpepper on Level Six taught me how to read. Hell, I ate nothing but the kebobs, meat pies, and sandwiches for weeks after I got here because I didn't have the manual dexterity to use a fork after having lived as a wolf for twenty years. Does that sound like a glorious leader to you?" The room was quiet as everyone seemed shocked at his admission.

"Actually, it does," Meryn answered.

Grant's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"

Meryn held up her hand and lifted one finger. "You survived on your own when you were a kid, in like real freaking nature, for decades." She held up a second finger. "You taught yourself how to fucking walk, talk, and read. Do you know how smart you have to be to do that?" She lifted a third finger. "You went through hell and came out a kickass warrior ranked third in a pillar city. Not to mention, you did all this to save your mom, so yeah, that sounds like someone I'd listen to, unlike those douchebag Founding Family members that lick each other's assholes."

Aiden rested his forehead against the back of Meryn's head to avoid looking around the room. Elizabeth giggled as Adora stared at the small woman.

Demetrio chuckled. "That, young lady, is absolutely right."

"How did his father miss the fact his own son was an Alpha Born?" Elizabeth asked.

"I do not think he did, my love," Gavriel answered.

"He knew?" Grant asked no one in particular.

Aiden nodded. "I believe he knew you were Alpha Born and seized the first opportunity to drive you away. If he had waited much longer, you would have been too strong and integrated in the pack. Like Carthage, he knew you would take over as Alpha as soon as you came of age. He probably didn't want to give that up."

Demetrio stood. "By our laws, I will need to report to our local packs here in the Southwest that we have an Alpha Born living amongst us. I'm sure they'll have no problem turning over regional leadership to you and combining packs."

Grant's mouth dropped open. "No," he whispered. He shook his head repeatedly. "No. I don't want to lead. I don't want to be like him. I just want to stay a unit warrior."