Page 62 of Alpha Scorned

“The challenge still stands, Owen. It’s nothing personal. But I need more than to chase demons around the world, and being Connor’s Beta will give me responsibility, and a direction to my life that I lack.”

I cocked my head, and instead of letting my anger at his challenge rule my actions and words, I studied him, like,reallylooked at him. There were dark shadows under his eyes and he had a grimness about him that hadn’t been there before. He was still ripped and still exuded power. But he’d lost the softness he’d had around the edges that had always made him so approachable. Even in the prison he hadn’t had the harsh glint in his eyes that was there now. He had always oozed charm with any visitors to our pack. I didn’t see any evidence of it now, and looking back, I hadn’t for months.

I narrowed my eyes on his face. “What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing. I am just looking for more responsibility than I have now. And I believe I have the knowledge and experience to be a better Beta than you.”

“It’s true, you could be a good Beta, and an even better Alpha. Whether you’d be better than me? Well, we’ll never find out because you will lose, Cain.” I used his first name on purpose, and hid my satisfaction when it seemed to get the response I wanted. Hardly anyone ever used his given name, not even Connor, and I knew it would throw him that I even remembered it, let alone used it. While we were in the prison, Connor had told me Rawson didn’t want it used ever again, though he had never told me why. I watched as Rawson’s eyes narrowed before they went from a light brown to a deep angry black.

“Don’t call me that!”

I merely smiled and shrugged. “Why not. It’s your name, isn’t it?” Rawson was normally as calm as me, and even slower to anger. I supposed he was almost withdrawn in some respects, except when being charming would benefit our cause. But it seemed his name was a trigger, and that was definitely something that I could use against him in the challenge.

“No one calls me that...ever,” he snarled.

I cocked my head and affected a thoughtful expression. “Well,Cain,get used to it, because that’s what I’ll be using from now on. But I’ll do you a deal. If you win, I’ll not use it again.”

“No, you won't, you arrogant prick, because you’ll be gone.” He stepped closer until we were nose to nose, chest to chest. “Make no mistake, Brady, I’ll kill you if I have to.”

My smirk was slow with the hint of a sneer, though I was more curious as to why his name evoked such an unusual reaction from him, than spoiling for a fight right then. His control had almost deserted him. But, I was an Alpha, newly mated and buzzing with power and triumph. I felt invincible, and no one, not even my brother, one I respected as much as I did my King, was going to steal my role or power from me. “Really? You think I’m going to concede my position to you?” I shook my head slightly. “Think again,Cain,you’ll be the one left in a pine box.”

Killing Rawson was the last thing I wanted. But if he forced me, if it was between his survival and mine, then he would lose.

Rawson’s fists clenched and I cracked my neck, still holding his gaze as his bear stared out at me.

“Inside! Now!” boomed a deep voice.

Connor’s compulsion hit us both like a punch to the head. It wasn’t the gentle wave he used with everyone else. It was a slam of power that was enough to stop two of the most powerful alpha males on his council. Both of us shared a small amount of the King of Shifter’s power, and that made us both too strong to bow easily.

Connor’s energy forced us apart and I had to fight to stay on my feet. Neither Rawson nor I would fall to our knees, but that was not Connor’s intent. Our King strode forward until he stood between us. “You will not fight. I need both of you inside. I’m holding a council, and we have important issues that need discussing.”

Straightening my spine, I stood tall and looked Connor in the eye, before sliding my gaze sideways. I’d show him the same kind of respect the others showed me. I nodded, and without looking at Rawson again, I followed Connor inside.

Shane’s dining room had been set up as a meeting room. Connor sat down and gestured for us all to do the same. Balthazar walked in a moment later, followed by B’nar. The Prince Heir wore a silver circlet of metal, encrusted with blue stones, around his head. I raised a brow at him, and he just shook his head, his shoulders rising and falling. I huffed a chuckle. It didn’t look like the prince was too enamoured of his new piece of jewelry. Poor bugger. It looked almost welded to his forehead.

“Don’t ask,” he rumbled at me.

I smirked. “Okay. It’s very pretty though. Matches your eyes.”

His lips twitched, and he ever so gracefully extended his middle finger at me. I grinned and took a seat at Connor’s right.

The rest of the chairs were soon filled. Stone sat on Connor’s left, Rawson next to him. Lionel plonked his bulk down next to me, followed by B’nar and Balthazar taking their seats.

I glanced around. “Where’s Zander?” He’d not been with Becca and Dev this morning when I’d left Lina with them.

“I’m here,” said a voice from behind me. Zander walked in from another door that led deeper into the house. His garnet eyes surveyed us all, and despite his greeting, his face was grim. He made eye contact with Connor and something passed between them. I sometimes forgot that they shared the same fae mother. Connor’s attention flicked to Rawson and he seemed to nod to himself. It was a small gesture that the others missed, but I knew him better than anyone. I’d made it my business to over the years. He was my friend as well as my Prime and King, and I wanted to be able to see when he needed help. Because someone like Connor would never ask for it.

I sat back and glanced at the faces of some of the most powerful males in the supernatural world. With Zander’s entrance, they had all become serious. “What’s going on? What did I miss?”

Connor leaned his elbows on the table and clasped his big hands in front of him. “We’ll get to that. First of all, how’s mated life?” His azure gaze studied me, but a genuine smile stretched his lips. Whatever was going on, he’d get to it when he was ready.

I couldn’t hold back my grin. “Fucking fantastic.”

“That’s great, man. I’m glad you could save her, and get her to reconnect with her wolf.”

My heart stuttered. “You knew didn’t you?”

“Of course. The day she rejected you, I suspected. Prime searched for her wolf to try and ask why she’d rejected you. He couldn’t find her, she was buried too deep inside Selina for him to reach her. I knew only you could set her free from whatever self-imposed prison she had put herself in.” He shrugged. “But you didn’t even try to fight for her. Instead, your pain consumed you. After Rawson told me what an unreliable prick you were on that last mission, and officially challenged you, I decided to give you no choice but to find her, and just hoped you could sort your shit out.” He reached over and squeezed my shoulder, Prime high in his eyes. “I’m glad you did.” He took a deep breath and exhaled. “I found out about Shane’s disappearance the same day I decided to send you to this pack.” He raised a brow. “Fate apparently wanted you here.”

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