“It’s fine. What else are families for?” She tossed the Dalmatian into the keep pile. “How about a cup of coffee?”
“Sure. It might help clear my mind. I’ll get it.” He stood and went to the small kitchenette.
“I know Jinx is hopeful that you will take the position, but in the end you have to do what’s right for you. If the two of you can work out something so you’re both happy then all the better.” She got up from the floor, stepping over the piles she’d created. “He cares about your happiness, and he’ll understand, no matter what you decide.”
“What about you? You’re Alpha Female of the clan. Did he give you any say in it?”
“He mentioned it to me before he asked you, but as for anything further…no. We didn’t discuss any others he might have in mind if you decline the position. Not that I could have been much help since I’ve never met any of the clan members.” She took the coffee mug he offered and sat down at the table that was now clear since everything was in piles on the floor. “I’m aware he does have another in mind because he doesn’t feel you’ll take the position. I also know he doesn’t have the same faith in the other person as he does you. He believes you’ll keep the clan safe if something happens to him.”
“That’s the other thing…” He brought his own coffee over and sat down next to her. “Heaven forbid something happened to Jinx. I don’t think I could stand by and see the clan fall into someone else’s hands. But since I’m not even a clan member I wouldn’t have the right to challenge whoever took over. When the Lieutenant is forced to take over the clan, only a current clan member can challenge him.”
“I’ve heard of outsiders challenging before.”
“True, but it’s not the way of our kind. Most times they are desperate to lead, and the clan will overthrow them within weeks. A clan normally won’t stand for an outsider coming in to overthrow their new Alpha without them at least giving the new Alpha a chance or challenging him themselves.”
She sat there listening to him and felt like an outsider. These were her people they were talking about, and she barely knew anything about them. Avery had brainwashed the clan, making them believe they were stuck under him and that no one could overthrow him. Ben had tried to get people to see that if they rallied together they could defeat Avery but everyone was too far-gone to listen to him. They wouldn’t risk Avery’s wrath on a chance. Instead they’d rather hide in the shadows hoping they wouldn’t catch his attention.
“You might not like to hear this, but I’m going to say it anyway.” She leaned forward, placing her hand over his. “If you don’t want to see someone else possibly running the clan, then you need to take the position.”
“I love that you make it sound so easy.”
She nodded, and picked up her mug. “It can be if you want it to be.”
Jinx opened the door before she could add anything more.
Behind him was a tall man with the greenest eyes she’d ever seen, his hair cut in military style. His muscles strained against his flannel shirt and tight jeans. Just by looking at him she knew he didn’t get them from hours in the gym; everything about him screamed he was an outdoorsman. Any workout he did was in the fresh air.
“Summer, this is Jackson, the Captain of your Guards.” He glanced behind him and tipped his head in her direction. “Jackson, my mate.”
Jackson came to her, dropping to his knees in front of here, and took her hand in his. “I’m in your service now and always.”
She glanced at Jinx. The realization of what he was doing was overwhelming.
“Do you know what to do?” Jinx asked.
“I’ve seen others do this in front of Avery, but I never expected…”
“You are my mate, the clan’s Alpha Female.” He let his gaze shift between her and Jackson who was still kneeling in front of her. “He is offering you his neck. When a lesser shifter comes into the presence of their Alpha, or Alpha Female, for the first time, they are supposed to offer you their neck. You then bend and sniff it. This act shows they are subservient to you, and that you accept them as part of your clan. This marks your scent on them as well, so another Alpha or rogue knows they are messing with a clan, not a lone shifter.”
Summer felt her heart speed up with the thought that the clan was hers as well, not just Jinx’s. She’d have people depending on her, duties to the clan. Now she completely understood what Lukas was going through.
“Jackson, I didn’t consider how much rule Avery had over his people, I should have prepared her,” Jinx explained as she delayed.