Page 10 of Alpha Scorned

Before Connor decided if this was to be a fight to the death, an official challenge had to be sanctioned by the immediate pack. It was one of the rules we had all agreed on. I’d never expected the brothers I’d fought beside for years to agree to a death match with one of them, mainly because killing one of them would be like ripping my own heart out, despite my need to incite them to violence. It seemed they didn’t feel the same about me.

“Fine.” I shrugged, trying to act like being challenged by Rawson didn’t mean a thing. It fucking did. But I deserved it. I’d been a dick lately. I’d challenged so many of my brothers so many times. When they hadn’t bitten, I’d spent every free moment at the Gambit, beating the shit out of anyone who was game, and I’d fucked my way through the whole club, several times; I’d taken the most dangerous missions, and when there, I’d left my brothers behind, taking on pods of demons, leaving them and myself, more vulnerable to attack.

“No, you arsehole, it’s not fine. I won’t have you or Rawson dying over a fucking female, fated soulmate or not. You need time to get over Selina and get your life back on track.”

“This has nothing to do with Selina!” I roared, shoving my chair back and jumping to my feet, my heart pounding at even hearing her name. “And how exactly do you ‘get over’ a broken soulmate bond, huh, Con?”

Connor cocked an eyebrow. “Really? All this crap you’re pulling has nothing to do with her? Then why does even the mention of her name send you into a rage?”

“Fuck you,” I muttered and sat back down, rubbing my hands over my face. I was pushing my luck with Connor’s patience and I knew it.

“No thanks, brother, you’re not my type.” He crossed his arms over his solidly muscled chest and glared at me. “I’ve vetoed the challenge until you return from your next job.”

“You can’t veto a death challenge.”

“I can do whatever the fuck I like. I’m the King of Shifters.”

“Why do you want to veto it?” I frowned, smelling a rat...and a whole heap of bullshit. It was better to just get this over with. For everyone. Still, he was right, if he wanted to, he could rewrite every shifter law the SBI had once shoved down our throats. He was our King.

The growl that came from his chest rumbled through my bones. “Are you fucking kidding me, Owen? You are my brother, mybest friend. We have fought side by side for years, and you think I want to see you and the male who raised me, fight head to head, to kill each other? Pull your head out of your arse, Brady!”

“You can’t stop it, not now.” I didn’t even know why I was arguing. I didn’t want to fight Rawson in a death match.

Connor’s eyes glittered, and his nostrils flared. “Like I said, I can do what I like. First off, I’m giving you both enough time to calm the fuck down and hope you come to your godsdamned senses, so I don’t have to make that decision. Rawson can still rescind his challenge, should he want to.”

I huffed a laugh but there was no humour in it. “What? You think making Rawson wait will make him rescind the challenge? Now who’s being an arse?”

“You are, still. And you don’t even see it. Rawson doesn’t want to kill you, but he’s right, you are on the verge of going rogue. And even you know that rogue shifters, especially wolves, cause too much damage to themselves and everyone around them to let them live. You have one chance to sort yourself out, or I let the challenge stand. You are strong, but so is Rawson. I need a Beta I can rely on, not a male hell bent on fucking and fighting his way through every supernatural community I have made alliances with, trying to get his arse annihilated.”

“What makes you think Rawson will win, my King? He doesn’t have a rejected mate bond fuelling his anger.” My top lip curled. None of my brothers did.

Connor moved so fast, I wasn't prepared when his fist slammed into my jaw. I fell awkwardly, my shoulder slamming into the floor. Air whooshed from my lungs as he knelt his full weight on my chest. There was no way I could breathe. “No, he doesn’t have a rejection fuelling him! His anger is born of a far darker pain, as is Stone’s. Have you forgotten that Rawson found the body of his beloved in pieces? And that Stone watched Doherty kill his mate in front of him? You think it hurts knowing Selina is in this world but chose not to be with you? Think how you’d feel right now if you’d found Selina ripped to pieces and been unable to save her.”

A growl ripped through me, my wolf furious at the thought.

“Yeah, that image hurts doesn’t it? Now, do as I’ve said, pull your head from your arse, and get back to being my Beta! I’m giving you one last chance to prove that you’re worthy of being by my side. For now, you’re going to Canada. And as they both know what you’re going through, Rawson and Stone are going with you.”

“Canada? Which part?” Coldness swept through me.

“Stand up.” Connor walked back to his chair and sat down.

I pushed up from the floor and straightened my chair, ignoring the throbbing in my cheek, and ache in my chest wall and shoulder. I deserved far more than just a punch for the way I’d spoken to him.

I didn’t sit down again, I’d already pushed Connor enough, and I had enough self-preservation not to continue. Besides, curiosity welled in my chest.

“To the pack. Shane has gone missing.”

“And? What do you want me to do about it, other than a fucking happy dance?”

“Dammit, Owen! Stop being such a dick! Your bitterness will be your end, and I will not have a rogue wolf near my mate or my children. You hear me? You’ve taken liberties with your behaviour in my home, and I’ve let you because I love your stubborn arse, and I know you're hurting. But I’m ordering you to stop destroying yourself and, by default, your family! You’ve got this one chance to redeem yourself or you’re done. And if you turn fully rogue out there and become a danger to the pack in any way, Stone and Rawson have orders to put you down. Do you understand me?”

I nodded, my chest aching. Connor truly thought I was a danger to the people around me. What had I done?

“Good. Control yourself, and your wolf. And get this job done. We’ll talk about the rest on your return.”

My emotions slammed down. Shit, my best friend really thought I was a danger to his family. I hid my shame. Was I? With one hand, I rubbed my face. Maybe I was. I constantly craved more adrenaline, more dominance, more pain, more lust, to temper losing Selina and Devon to Shane. The rage burning inside me was off the charts and my heart had turned into a block of ice. The women I fucked meant nothing to me, Ifeltnothing except fleeting release. I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth. Maybe Iwasa danger to the others in this house. And if not a danger, then certainly a bad influence, bringing my women here and fucking them anywhere I chose… Another wave of shame heated my skin.

I trained my gaze over Connor’s shoulder. I wouldn’t drop my gaze to the floor, but my friend deserved far more respect than I’d shown him or his family lately. “What do you want me to do about Shane?”

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