Page 19 of Midnight Moon
Shock hit me like a bucket of freezing water. My jaw fell open as the pieces fell into place.
The two men I met last night were members of the infamously secluded and secretive Wilds Pack. I could hardly believe it.
I wasn’t the only one.
“A representative from the Wilds Pack,” Alpha Kurt stated, sending the rest of the crowd into frenzied whispers, including my own pack members. I didn’t join in. I was too busy staring at Asher and Chase, struggling to figure out how they’d managed to keep their identity from me.
“To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence?” Alpha Kurt finished.
Chase shifted his attention to the Badlands’ alpha. I was surprised when he was the one to respond, “We came for the opening ceremony. The Wilds Pack will be entering this year’s Alpha Games.”
Murmurs of surprise emanated around the room.
“Impossible.” Alpha Orlando barked. The blond shifter eyed the newcomers with nothing short of disdain. “The Wilds Pack hasn’t participated in the competition in over a century. They cannot simply enter at the twenty-fifth hour and expect to be welcomed back.”
“Actually, that is exactly what we expect.” Asher may have made the grand entrance, but he seemed content to let Chase take the lead now. Both men moved closer to the stone fireplace, stopping at the front row on the left side of the room.
Chase let his gaze travel over the room’s occupants, meeting the eye of any shifter who looked at him. “The Wilds Pack has kept our distance, that is true. But we have just as much right to participate in the games as any of you.”
My attention shifted to Asher. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Alpha Kurt.
“We do not know this pack,” Alpha Orlando persisted, searching the crowd for an ally. “We do not know if we can trust them.”
“Trust them to what?” Alpha Diego rose. “Compete fairly? If they do not, they will be disqualified. What’s the harm in honoring our ancestors’ decision regarding which packs are allowed to compete in the Alpha Games?”
More murmurs fluttered over the tables.
“They are abominations,” Alpha Orlando hissed, sensing he was on the losing end of the argument. “I will not allow my heir within five feet of those creatures.”
If I hadn’t been watching Asher, I would’ve missed the subtle twitch in his cheek. Orlando’s remark had struck a nerve.
“Then, by all means,” Alpha Diego continued, “your pack can withdraw from the games. No one says you must compete. The rest of us, however, aren’t afraid of a little more competition. Are we?”
Several fists hit the tables, accompanied by shouts of approval.
I had to give it to Alpha Diego. He effectively made it impossible for the other pack alphas to speak against the Wilds Pack without appearing cowardly.
“Then it is settled,” Alpha Kurt, once again, took control of the room. “The Wilds Pack will join this year’s games. I am assuming you two are the representatives who will be competing?”
“Yes,” Chase answered. “We represent our pack’s alpha.”
“Very good. What is your pack’s proposed prize?”
It was subtle, but a flicker of emotion crossed Chase’s face. Asher’s was carefully neutral. He stared at the stone fireplace behind Alpha Kurt, unmoving. I tried not to let the fact he hadn’t spared me a glance bother me.
Chase swallowed, but his voice was strong as he replied, “The Wilds Pack requests an alliance with the Summit Pack.”
What?
Everyone in the room turned to me.
I blinked, belatedly realizing I’d voiced my question out loud.
Chase met my gaze for a brief moment, then turned to Alpha Kurt and repeated, “The Wilds Pack requests an alliance with the Summit Pack.”
The room’s attention fluctuated between me and Chase.
Alpha Kurt nodded. “All right. What are the terms of your alliance? Land acquisition? Natural resources?”
