Page 29 of Doubly Tied

“Ha ha ha. Is that so? Well, you always were a stubborn pup,” Sam returned. “I suppose you think your word is law. Common mistake in new Alphas who inherit their titles—”

A ripping snarl cut through the air, silencing those who dared to smirk and snort at the man’s obvious criticism of Brody. Ani was furious on his behalf. The son of a bitch was a poser of the worst kind. His greed batted up against her in sickening waves, and she had to fight not to gag in response.

What is happening to me?

Ani?Brody’s concerned question reached her, and she did her best to assuage his worries.

I am fine. You just deal with that creep.She assured him. Her stomach felt queasy, and Ani’s head ached. It was like the time she and her sisters had decided to go on a cruise for their vacation. Of course, Ani was the one who got sick. She’d spent the whole trip in her cabin hugging the toilet seat. It was awful.

If this is too much—

She is right. Don’t worry. I got her, Brody.Mayne took her hand in his, and instantly whatever nausea had rushed her moments before simply vanished. She felt Brody’s Wolf brush against her mind, and she could’ve hugged the big animal. In spite of everything else going on, his main concern was for her. The truth humbled her, and her heart swelled with emotion for both men. Mayne squeezed her hand and Brody turned to address the room at large.

“I have called you all here to introduce you to Anise Freeman,” Brody began. “As you know, Mayne and I have been searching for our third to complete our Triad ever since we ascended to our positions. When we left to attend the Council of the Triads meeting this year on Moongate Island, we were hopeful, but we had no idea the Fates would bless us with our third so quickly. We would like you all to meet and welcome our new mate Big River Pack style!”

A resoundingwhoopechoed in the air, soon turning to howls of celebration at Brody’s announcement. Ani found herself focusing on his words as she sorted through the emotions coming off the large group in front of her. Mostly, the Wolves lining up to bow before her and whisper their pledges seemed happy to do so.

Because they are, love.Mayne’s voice was cool, soft as he whispered into her mind. All three of them stood to acknowledge the Pack members, who came forward like the tide to greet her. Ani smiled and nodded, accepting their words as truth.

This is amazing, she told her mates.

“That is where we disagree, love. You are the amazing one.” She blushed prettily as Brody spoke out loud to her for the first time.

Both men flanked her, each one taking her hand as Wolf after Wolf, the Pack pledged their loyalty. She watched anxiously for Brody’s mother, but as the older she-Wolf stepped forward, her mate took her hand and pulled her to his side. Neither Brody nor Mayne seemed to notice as they laughed and greeted their Pack.

But something was wrong.

Very wrong.

The Wolves with the greenish auras stayed against the wall. Like they were planning something, she realized at the same time a sharp growl cut through the festivities. The she-Wolf with the braids stepped forward, head thrown back she howled, a fierce husky sound. Everyone in the room stilled.

“What—”

“I challenge the human, Anise Freeman, for the right to mate the Alpha!”

“No!” Brody growled.

“She has the right to challenge your mate,Alpha,” sneered Sam.

“What’s a challenge?” Ani asked Mayne.

“Challenges are for Shifters,” Mayne stated.

“Not true.” Sam Greeves stood with a thick, leather bound book in his hand, drawing everyone’s eyes like moths to a flame. “Says here any mate can be challenged within forty-eight hours of his or her claiming. Are you saying your human is better than us Wolves? Is that the kind of Alpha you intend to be, Brody DeAngelo? Do you no longer consider yourself subject to the same laws that bind us all? Maybe you want to renounce your title and leave Big River! Maybe that would be best for aTriad.”

Brody and Mayne both trembled with rage.

Shit.

This could not be happening.

Ani didn’t know what the hell a challenge was, but she wasn’t about to let anyone take the Pack from her mates. This was their home, their right, and she would be damned if she didn’t bring them the peace and balance they claimed their third would deliver.

“She is our fated mate, but she is still a human. It would be unseemly to think she would fight a Wolf for the right to stay claimed when she has been thoroughly that—”

Without any regard for her future, Ani stepped forward. She was not going to go down like this. Whatever the challenge was, she would fight for her mates.

Always.

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