Page 28 of Ember's Claim

Yeah, that still doesn’t mean I’m looking to get myself into trouble for being found somewhere I’m not supposed to be.

If a male specifically challenged for the right to mate me, and I chose to fight in the battle—instead of using one of my male family members as a proxy—and lost, he would have the legal right to bite and claim me.

That’s not a risk I’m willing to take.

That doesn’t stop my wolf from continually harassing me as I drive back toward Haven. She wants to run in the woods and socialize with other wolves.

It’s getting so bad that her constant nagging is actually wearing me down.

We’re only here to check for Sanders, I chastise, trekking through the overgrown underbrush of The North America Pack territory.

My wolf whines, pacing in my head.

She’s desperate for me to strip down to release her.

That’s not happening.

Last time we were here, she got stuck on a particular scent and stalked it way too close to the settlement where the wolves live.

The forest stays on my right as the nearly full moon shines in the sky. It’s only a few more nights until it’ll be full. Not that a full moon forces shifting, but my wolf would make my life hell if I skipped giving her the chance to run and enjoy herself.

Coming over the top of the hill, I stop dead in my tracks. Even in the dark, my eyesight is clear and crisp. I’m not sure what I’m seeing at first, but there’s a large circular area with mostly men lined around it.

A few wolves pace behind the line of men. They’re all focused on whatever is happening in the circle.

It’s an alpha challenge.

My wolf is sure of it.

And I have to agree.

I’m too far away to hear or see much, even with my enhanced hearing and eyesight, but the tree line on my right would offer decent coverage.

I’m in motion before I can stop myself, and I have my wolf to thank for that.

There’s definitely something huge going down.

And it’s not a fair fight.

Not by a long shot.

I never would have guessed that I’d have such a swift and visceral response to the injustice playing out before my eyes.

Alphas are huge in comparison to beta wolves, and they fight each other in alpha challenges…

Not betas.

A beta is never going to magically transform into an alpha. Okay, the literal single exception to that is if that beta mated with an omega. The point is, even if that beta won the challenge, he’d never be able to keep control of the pack.

If there’s a challenge occurring, why isn’t it against one of the other alpha wolves standing around? It’s not uncommon for alphas to fight it out for the role of apex alpha to run the pack.

My head tilts as I prowl closer, but everyone is so focused on the carnage that no one pays me any heed.

Well, until the little boy on the ground spots me. He’s been crying into his hands a few feet back from the others.

He must know the challenger.

Tears stream down his cheeks as his head tilts. His eyes flash from blue to amber, indicating his wolf is assessing me. My eyes glow back out of habit.

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