Jinx’s Mate(8)

“Hold on!” she called out, determined to quiet them down. “Everyone just hold on for a moment and listen.” When people turned and looked toward her, her nerves caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end.

“Say your peace.” Jinx nodded, encouraging her.

“Many of you knew Autumn and her visions.” Anger and sadness tugged at her heart, making her chest ache. “She believed Tex would bring help when he escaped. He did. For those who said they killed the guards downstairs—I was there. They were given the chance to surrender, but they’d been brainwashed by Avery. This is our chance. Don’t throw this away because you’re frightened. We’re free of Avery, why can’t we elect a new Alpha and start over?”

“I elect Tex.” Ben stepped onto the platform and stood next to her. “He brought us help and fought to save us. There’s no one else I’d rather serve under. Will anyone second me?”

“Second.” Mario stood. “Tex saved us. If anyone can lead us, it’s him.”

“Will you accept, Tex?”

Tex stepped forward. “I accept.”

“Then it’s carried. I’m at your service, Alpha.”

“If anyone would like to leave the clan for solitary living, or to seek a new clan, now is the time to do it.” Tex waited, giving anyone a chance to depart. “As my first order of business, I’d like to appoint Ben Evans as my Lieutenant. Do you accept?”

When Ben froze, Summer squeezed his shoulder. “Do it,” she whispered.

With a glance in her direction, he said, “I accept.” Then he left her side and went to stand next to Tex.

Summer stepped back into the audience and listened as Tex reassured the clan.

“We have a lot of work to do to make this clan what it once was, but if we all work together I know we can do it. You have my sworn oath that no one will be tortured or punished for sport while under my command. For anyone caught in the act of harming someone in this way, it will be an immediate death sentence. I will not stand for it.”

Sometime during Tex’s speech, Jinx moved next to Summer. When he nudged her gently, she glanced up at him. “That took some courage to stand up in front of your clan when they were ready to riot,” he said. “It could have forced their attention on you.”

“Ben wouldn’t have allowed anything to happen. They respect him. He’s always tried to keep everyone safe, even at the cost of himself.” She frowned, adding, “He has scars on his body because he’s looked out for me. I’m lucky to have a brother like him, and I’m so proud of him. He’ll make the perfect Lieutenant for the clan.”

“He certainly will. I can tell he’s a good man. But look—” Jinx brushed up against her as he nodded toward the stage. “Tex has come such a long way.”

“He has, and he’ll make an excellent Alpha.” Summer watched Tex with admiration. “I can see the changes in him like night and day. He cares deeply for the clan.”

“We tried to get Avery to surrender so it wouldn’t come to this. That’s what took so much longer. I checked into the resort this morning hoping to discover the passages so we could sneak in.” He glanced around as if making sure they weren’t being overheard. “We didn’t find out about today’s torture until Ty called Avery to tell him we would return Tex to the clan.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Summer eyed him with suspicion.

“Because I can feel your questions. You’re wondering why we didn’t come sooner. Why Autumn had to die.” He placed his hand on the small of her back, pulling her closer. “Tell me…how is Autumn your sister but not Ben’s?”

“It’s confusing. Ben’s father is also mine. Our father was mated to Ben’s mother, but she had a rough pregnancy and died in childbirth. It’s when he found my mother. She was the midwife that delivered Ben.”

“That explains part of it. How does Autumn play into it?”

“She was from my mother’s first mating. She and Ben fought all the time. She couldn’t stand him, said mother always wanted a boy and favored him. I never saw it but they kept their distance. She wanted to leave the clan, to find somewhere away from Ben, but Avery wouldn’t let her.” She watched her brother as he stood before the clan; this was what he’d been born for. “He’s always been my protector—everyone’s protector.”

“I have a feeling that won’t change.”

There was an edge to his voice that pulled her gaze away from Ben. Jinx appeared proud, despite the blood and dirt smeared on him from the battle. Everything about him screamed Alpha, which should have sent her running in the opposite direction. The coldness in his gaze when he wasn’t looking at her said two things about him: he wouldn’t tolerate nonsense from anyone, and he had seen too much death and suffering in his time. When he looked out among the clan, she didn’t see pity in his eyes, but sorrow.