Page 16 of The Alpha's Rejected Arranged Mate

Finn waited half a beat more before he backed up and shifted to human form again. “The rules don’t say I have to kill you. It’s enough, Seth, former Alpha.”

Seth staggered back to his feet. He growled, his fur standing on end.

“I don’t want to kill you,” Finn told him coldly. “I want you to stay in Moon Lake. I want you to help facilitate a peaceful transfer of power. So, it’s up to you. If you keep pushing, I will kill you.”

Seth shifted to human form. He panted, breathing hard. Down on one knee, he glared up at Finn. Finn didn’t move, waiting for the Alpha’s answer. As he waited, his gaze swept over the Alpha again. He was much older than Finn expected his father to be. Maybe he was wrong about this. Maybe he was looking at his grandfather rather than his father.

“What are you after?” Seth hissed as he pushed himself to his feet. “I won’t let you have this pack. I won’t let you subjugate my people to hell.”

“Will you step aside for a peaceful transfer or keep fighting?” Finn demanded, his voice carrying.

“I won’t give—” Seth cut off at the sound of footsteps in the arena.

Finn growled, sinking into a crouch. But it wasn’t Seth’s warriors charging in. It was Rosemary. She grasped Seth’s arm, shaking.

“Let him be Alpha.” Rosemary pressed one hand to Seth’s face. “He can kill you. He’s choosing not to, my love. Please.”

Seth closed his eyes and leaned into Rosemary’s hand. Finn watched, unable to prevent a fresh surge of anger. They knew who he was. They had to! And Seth wanted to kill him anyway. It was only because his mate was begging him to change his mind that he wasn’t going to die for it. If Seth was so certain he was evil, why not just kill him as a baby? Did it ease his conscience to kill the man raised in loneliness instead?

“Finn.” Elin’s soft voice broke him from his thoughts. He turned toward her. She took his arm in her hands and quietly bandaged a large scrape along his bicep. When had that happened?

For that matter, there were fresh injuries on Seth, too. Finn hadn’t thought he had gone that hard. He thought back, but the fight was a blur of fury and fangs. He breathed deeply, inhaling the scent of blood. It wasn’t strong. Both of their injuries were superficial.

Good.

It had been a long time since Finn lost himself in the battle haze. But it seemed he’d been able to control himself even so. There would be no more bloodshed today.

The arena looked on in silence as Elin and Rosemary bound their mates’ injuries. Seth’s shoulders slumped in defeat, his head hanging.

“I acknowledge your victory,” he said, his voice thin but loud enough for the arena to hear. “You are now Alpha of the Moon Lake pack.”

Alpha.

Finn sucked in a breath as the word crashed down on him. He’d been so consumed with Seth and the knowledge that this was his father who abandoned him that he hadn’t thoughtpast this moment. His gaze flickered around the arena, taking in the hostile looks from the pack. Even the orphanage caretakers watched him with revulsion.

I’m the Alpha,he thought.And I’m fucked.

***

“I’ll need a copy of your records,” Finn said, trying to ignore the way his wolf paced restlessly in his chest. They were in the Alpha’s house, Seth and Rosemary facing him and Elin. Derek and Christine had taken a handful of warriors to return to the human village to try to collect their gear.

Mostly, they wanted the salt they left behind. It wouldn’t do much good against the rogues, but it would help defend the town against demons. It was his responsibility now. This was no longer a simple alliance, but rather… Finn shook himself. He needed a sense of how the pack was doing and their current situation. Not just when it came to the demons and rogues but also their finances.

“My people and I will stay in the Alpha’s house until I have a new one built,” Finn continued, not letting his doubts seep into his tone. “You and Rosemary will find other accommodation and remove any personal necessities until that time.”

Seth squinted at him, frowning. It wasn’t usual for a new Alpha to build themselves a new house and let the old Alpha keep the one he’d had before. “Is there something wrong with this house?” he demanded.

Finn shrugged, attempting to look careless in the same way Hayden did. “It doesn’t suit my needs.”

“We will get our things at once,” Rosemary murmured.

But Seth ignored her, instead turning toward Elin. Finn had the instant urge to step in front of her, to shield her. But Seth made no move toward her and showed no sign of hostility except that fierce glare on his face.

“Do you know what he is?” Seth demanded.

If there was any chance Seth didn’t know Finn was half-demon, that erased it. Finn wasn’t sure why he was so disappointed. Nothing the former Alpha had done thus far had shown any sign of fatherly feeling. Nothing to indicate he had ever had any sort of compassion for the son he abandoned. It made his wolf snarl the way it would when its foot was caught in a trap.

He shouldn’t be here. He should have gotten those records from the orphanage and left again. He wasn’t meant to find this out. It was supposed to lead him to answers, not more questions. What the fuck was the Moon Goddess thinking?

---