Page 74 of Howling Night

Ryder growled. “Being tricked by you.”

Kellan’s eyes narrowed. “You consider betraying one’s pack to be a small mistake?”

“It depends on the circumstances,” Ryder hissed, his hands clenched even tighter.

Kellan clicked his tongue. “Oh well, then it’s no wonder why I had to be the one to step up. Besides, information has a price, and now that I know about this imprint business and the lying about stepping down.” Kellan shook his head slowly from side to side. “Sheesh, Ryder! I’m not sure what you’re doing, but it’s going to end in your demise, which, to be honest, makes me very, very happy. Honestly, I should thank Everly.”

“For what?” I snapped.

“You’ve completely distracted Ryder and made him pathetically weak,” Kellan said, wearing a smile that was half a sneer.

“You’re an idiot,” Ryder said, sucking in a short, angry breath.

“Now it’s time to get down to business,” Kellan said, cocking his head. “Leadership has a price, too, Ryder. Are you prepared to pay for it?”

“This is not how you go about a challenge,” Ryder growled, his hands clenched. “You know the rules. Challenges are announced?—”

“Is that not what I just did?” Kellan asked, smirking.

“And witnessed by both packs and done on neutral territory,” Ryder said, gesturing toward the house. “Not near humans.”

Kellan scoffed. “Rules? Please. You only obey them when they suit you. Others you ignore… like letting humans know about us.”

The wolves in the yard growled in agreement as they inched closer. I counted at least ten of them, but there were probably more hidden in the trees.

“This is between you and me,” Ryder said firmly. “Let Everly go inside, and we’ll go deal with this the proper way.”

Kellan tilted his head, considering. “I don’t think so. She’s part of this now.” His gaze slid to me. “Besides, she should see what happens to wolves who don’t follow the rules. It’ll be… educational.”

One of the wolves flanking Kellan—a massive gray beast—snarled and took another step forward. I recognized the aggression in its stance, the way it lowered its head, ready to charge.

“Stop this!” Ryder roared, his voice sharp.

“I’m not giving you a choice,” Kellan replied. “Either fight me now, or my pack and I will take it by sheer force. This land should rightfully be mine, and we are all ready to fight. Is your pack ready?”

The threat in his voice was unmistakable. A deep rumble started in Ryder’s chest, and I could feel waves of fury radiating off him. Through our new bond, his rage crashed into me like a physical force.

“We are not doing it like this! My pack isn’t even here,” Ryder said, taking an aggressive step forward.

“Call to them,” Kellan said, shrugging. “They’ll all come running for their leader, will they not?”

I felt my breath catch. The reality of my situation hit me like a ton of bricks. To these wolves — to Kellan’s pack — I was nothing more than a liability, a weak human who knew too much. It was almost like I could feel their hatred toward me.

“Ryder,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “What’s happening? What exactly is a challenge?”

But Ryder didn’t answer. His entire focus was on Kellan, his body coiled tight like a spring ready to snap. I could feel something changing in him — a shift in energy that made the hair on my arms stand up.

“Last chance, Kellan,” Ryder warned. “Take your wolves and leave. We can settle this properly because you’re right about one thing…”

“And that is?” Kellan asked, his brow raised.

“That it’s time to end this,” Ryder said, his shoulders rising and falling with quick but controlled breaths.

“No,” Kellan said simply. “I’m done waiting. I’m done playing by your rules.”

Ryder growled as his hands jerked. “They are not my rules! They are THE rules.”

Kellan rolled his eyes. “What’s it going to be, Ryder? Will you fight for your pack? For your territory? Or will you submit to me like you should have years ago?”

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