He read it quickly, then crumpled it in his fist. “Looks like you’re about to get what you wanted,” he muttered.
She didn’t say anything, just looked at him, her eyes wide and scared, her face pale.
Muttering under his breath, Gideon drew her into his arms. He had been doing his best not to read her mind. She’d had him convinced that she was itching to take on Rinaldi, that she was confident she would win. But he didn’t have to read her thoughts to know she was terrified.
She melted against him, clinging to him as if his arms were the only things keeping her on her feet.
“You were right,” she whispered. “I can’t do this.”
“Does it have to be one-on-one?”
She nodded.
“I don’t suppose you’d consider just walking away.”
“I can’t. It would shame my father. It would shame my pack.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t live with myself afterward. I brought this on myself and now I’m honor-bound to see it through.”
Gideon brushed a kiss across the top of her head. “And I’m honor-bound to protect the woman I love, whether she likes it or not.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you’re my wife and I’m not about to stand by and watch you get torn apart by some werewolf on steroids.”
“Gideon …”
“There’s no use arguing with me, Kiya. We’ve got a few weeks until the full moon. There’s got to be a way to preserve your honor and your life.”
“I don’t know what it could be.”
Gideon grunted softly. Neither did he.
* * *
Chapter 41
The night after Kay received Rudolfo Rinaldi’s written challenge, Gideon shared his blood with all the female pack members. Kay found it amusing that, from the oldest woman to the youngest, they were all against drinking his blood until he took them in his arms. She fought down a hot rush of jealousy when several of them asked for seconds.
Later, Kay called a meeting of all the adult pack members. Once they were assembled, she read the challenge issued by the Green Mountain Alpha.
When she finished reading the missive, there were numerous responses, mostly from the men. Some thought Kay should surrender to Rinaldi. Others voiced the opinion that she should step aside and let Brett take over as Alpha, citing the fact that he was married to Greta, who shared the Alissano bloodline. A few thought they should all shift at midnight and attack the Green Mountain Pack.
Gideon had a few ideas of his own, but no one asked for his opinion and he didn’t offer it. He remained where he was, one shoulder propped negligently against the doorjamb.
He had to admire Kay. He knew she was afraid of facing Rudolfo, but there was no sign of it now. She stood in front of the pack, head high, shoulders back, radiating self-confidence. Had it been up to him, he would have swept her into his arms and taken her far away from this place, never to return.
He listened intently as Kay dismissed all the ideas that were presented to her. In a clear, calm voice, she reminded all the men and women in the room that there was more to being Alpha than the ability to shift at will.
“Being Alpha isn’t something that can be assigned to another,” she said. “It’s something you’re either born with or you aren’t. We all know that Alphas are stronger, swifter, and usually larger than other members of the pack. They heal quicker. They live longer.”
Murmurs of agreement were heard here and there.
Brett moved up beside Kay when she finished speaking. “So, it looks like we’re stuck with you,” he said with a wry grin.
Laughter rippled through the pack, easing the tension.
Brett slipped his arm around Kay’s shoulders. “Personally, I can’t think of anyone more qualified to lead us, except maybe her husband.”
All eyes swung in Gideon’s direction.
“He’s stronger than twenty men, and swift as lightning,” Brett went on. “He heals overnight, he’s already lived a few hundred years. I imagine he’s picked up some wisdom along the way.”
Gideon shook his head. “Forget it.” He wasn’t cut out to play nursemaid to a pack of werewolves. Nor would he shame Kay by stealing her thunder. He had too much respect for her, both as his wife and the pack’s Alpha. But if the upcoming fight turned against her, he’d take Rinaldi out, and to hell with the consequences.
The meeting broke up shortly after Gideon’s refusal to take over as Alpha.
Later, when he was alone with Kay, he wasn’t quite sure what to say. Was she hurt by Brett’s suggestion that Gideon take over leadership of the pack? Insulted? Knowing how she felt about facing Rinaldi, he had to admire her courage.