Page 91 of Dawn of the Pack

“Doesn’t it?” He scoots over and wraps an arm around my shoulders, providing a warm surface to lean against. “The hierarchy in wolf packs is a funny thing. Succession is only determined by a challenge when the challenger is part of the pack. If they’re not, it only works if the current alpha has no heir. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter if the opponent wins; the position of alpha passes to their offspring.”

I can’t help feeling disgruntled. “So why would they even challenge at all?”

“Well, for starters, a wolf who’s not part of a pack rolling in to challenge for alpha is pretty rare. In that extremely unlikely event, they wouldn’t challenge an older alpha who has a healthy adult heir ready to take his place. But if they challenge a younger alpha, perhaps one who has younger children, and win, their next step would be to eliminate the offspring. Then the position is free to claim.”

My mind spins. Every time I think I’m getting the hang of all of this, it gets vastly more complex. I’m still trying to make sense of what Nielsen said, to determine if he was lying.

“But Dom is still alive. Wouldn’t it pass to him if Nielsen beat me, then?”

“No, because Dom isn’t your heir. He can never be alpha again; he’s been passed over now that you’ve claimed it.”

“So if Nielsen had lived…”

“I would have still become alpha.”

“And he could never have claimed it again.”

“Correct. Now there might have been issues if I hadn’t shifted, but honestly, I can’t help but wonder if his defeat is what finally enabled me to shift.”

I shove him playfully with my shoulder. “Are you sure it’s not because you were trying to save my life?”

“That too.” He presses a kiss to the side of my head, and I sigh.

This is way too much for first thing in the morning. Speaking of…

“Do you know what time it is?”

“Why?”

“It’s got to be late. We should probably get back to Harridan House. I’m sure there’s all sorts of stuff I should be doing.”

“Mmm, I think after everything that’s happened, no one would begrudge you a day off.”

“Alphas don’t get days off,” I grumble. “There’s always stuff to take care of.”

“I’m sure your uncle and your beta can manage for a couple more hours. Our phones aren’t buzzing, at any rate. I take that as a sign we have some time for other, more important things.” His tone turns suggestive, and my belly flutters in response.

“Time for what?” I ask breathlessly, my heart rate rising.

“Breakfast, of course. What did you think I meant?” He chuckles, knowing full well what he did, and slides to the edge of the bed. “Do you want coffee?”

Fortunately, Mrs. Dowling had stocked Derrek’s cupboards and fridge with fresh supplies, so he’s able to cook up a veritable feast. I didn’t realize it before he set the heaping plate in front of me, but I’m absolutely starving. I devour every bite of eggs, bacon, and toast, and even put away three cups of coffee.

Naturally, I checked in with Roxanne and the guys, and they all assured me everything was fine and to take my time.

When Derrek offers to tumble me back into bed, I’m sorely tempted. But the energy zipping through my veins won’t let me tune out again, so I insist it’s time to get dressed and head home. I can tap into the color map of the pack and see that there're no points of concern, and yet an instinct stemming from the core of my being insists I get back to Harridan House and just verify for myself.

In yet another surprise that shouldn’t be a surprise, Mrs. Dowling cleared space in Derrek’s closet and left me a mini wardrobe, anticipating my needs well before I thought about it. We tug on clothes and steal a few more kisses before clambering into his car and heading up the hill.

The atmosphere in Harridan House is calm, and I’m not surprised at all when Milo, Jared, and Landon greet Derrek with handshakes and half hugs like a brother. Whatever their differences in the past, we’re all family now. I’m just relieved to know there isn’t any lingering resentment.

Roxanne greets me just as warmly, wearing a thick sweater over her khakis with a pair of UGG boots instead of the ubiquitous flats. When I raise an eyebrow at her, she tosses her braids and laughs. “What? A girl can’t wear the same thing all the time.”

We settle in the library with a tray of refreshments, where it’s more comfortable to chat. I relay what Nielsen revealed to me regarding the curse, and I’m pleased to see that they’re all as shocked as I am. This, at least, isn’t a secret that was kept specifically from me.

“I should have known there was something strange, though,” I add, sipping my tea. “The diaries of past alphas go back to the founding of Smoky Falls—literally hundreds of years ago—but the only one missing is the last two years of the alpha who died from the ‘curse’.”

“That’s wild, though,” Jared shakes his head. “That they would make up that story and lie to everyone for this long? All those alphas who never left the territory, and then your mom who ran away…”

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