Victor stood. “It’s time to make our entrance.” He took a last look at his reflection in the mirror, nodded, and said, “Let’s go.”
Kay kept her gaze on her plate during dinner, surreptitiously listening to the hum of conversation at her end of the table as her pack mates speculated on what it would be like to have a female Alpha. The wolves liked and respected Greta, but she was, after all, a female and not likely to survive a challenge. Kay heard the name of the Montana Pack’s Alpha—Simon LeClare—mentioned several times. No one wanted to be absorbed into LeClare’s pack, or any other. It would mean leaving the Shadow Pack’s compound, adjusting to a new Alpha, a new pack hierarchy. She heard the worry in their voices, saw it in their furrowed brows as those nearest to her contemplated such a drastic change.
Kay glanced at the table where the children were seated. It would be hardest on them, having to leave all they knew. Not every compound was as large as this one, or had swimming pools and ball courts. The children of the pack were schooled here; most of the very young ones had never been outside the fence line.
Tonight, when the pack went out to choose a new leader, those under the age of eighteen would stay here, in the house.
And suddenly, it was time to go. Parents wrapped their young ones in blankets and settled them on the sofa. Some of the kids sprawled on the floor to watch a movie, while the older kids pulled out cell phones and iPads.
Kay’s nerves were stretched wire-thin when they reached the gathering place in the woods just outside the fence line. She refused to look at Victor, who stood on her left, his hand squeezing hers. A silent warning, no doubt.
When everyone was present, Greta stepped into the center of the circle. “You all know why we are here tonight. Our Alpha has been killed and we must choose a new leader. As Nagin Luta’s sister, and as the only other Alpha of the Shadow Pack, it falls to me to take his place. If there are any here who will not support me as Alpha, speak now.”
Victor nudged Kay. She glanced up at him, into his cold dark eyes, and knew that unless she suggested Victor’s name, her aunt’s days were numbered.
Torn by guilt for what she was about to do, Kay stepped into the center of the circle. “I know Greta Crayton would be a credit to our pack, and that she has the heart to be our Alpha, but …” Kay swallowed hard, fighting down the bile that rose in her throat. “But I don’t believe she has the strength to defend us. We are a small pack. News of my father’s untimely death has already spread. As you all know, my father trusted my husband, and loved him like his own son. For that reason, I believe that Victor Rinaldi should reign as our new Alpha.”
A hum of excited conversation filled the air as Victor, looking properly humble and surprised, took his place beside Kay in the center of the circle.
Greta held up her hand, silencing the crowd. “As is custom, anyone seeking to be accepted as Alpha must shift on a night when the moon isn’t full to prove they are able and worthy.”
Victor smiled at Greta, then bowed from the waist. “Ladies first.”
He was as good as his word. He waited for Greta to begin, but before she finished, he shifted from man to wolf and back again, proving that he was stronger, faster.
Murmurs ran through the pack.
Resuming her own form, Greta made a slow circle, her gaze resting on each man and woman present. “The choice is yours. Those of you who wish to follow Victor, please stand behind him. Those of you who wish to follow me, join me on this side of the circle.”
Kay held her breath, wondering what the outcome would be. Marriages had broken up when couples refused to follow the same Alpha.
Brett was the first one to make a move. He went to stand at his wife’s side.
Victor looked at Kay; after a moment, she went to stand beside him. She lowered her head, hands clenched at her sides, unable to meet her aunt’s disbelieving gaze.
In a surprisingly short time, the pack had made its decision.
And Victor had lost his bid to be the Shadow Pack’s Alpha.
It took all Kay’s self-control to keep from smiling. She had done what Victor asked and the pack had rejected him. He couldn’t blame her for that, she thought, until she saw his face. His eyes glittered with anger. Tension rolled off him in waves as he fought to keep his wolf in check.
The pack members felt it, too. Their unease was a palpable thing in the taut silence.
Fear’s cold, clammy hand curled around Kay’s insides. This wasn’t over, not by a long shot.
* * *
Chapter 37
Victor made a slow circuit around the circle, his gaze resting on the face of each pack member. Most of them held their ground; a few glanced away.