Page 80 of Wolf's Reckoning
The pack that had gathered shifted around us. Uneasy. Curious. Waiting.
“I didn’t realize I needed an audience to prove my worth,” I said, voice low. “Or that anamed successordid.” I cocked my head slightly. “Are you offering to challenge Wolfe?”
Kirk barked a laugh. “He’s not my problem. You are.”
There it was. Years of animosity reared their head. There was silence as I stepped into the ring.
“I’m not the one you need to fight, Kirk,” I said. “But you’re damn right I’m your problem now.”
“Yeah?” he sneered. “You are.” He looked me up and down. “You tried to take over this pack when your father was dying, and failed.” His scorn was ugly. “So now you’re fucking your way into position of leader.” He spat at the ground, and I looked down, seeing his spittle on my boot.
Oh, he was going to pay for that.
I grinned because I didn’t intend to hold back. I closed the distance fast. My palm struck his chest—just enough to force him to stumble back a step.
Dominance. Raw. Earned.
“You’re right,” I said, stepping into his space again, raising my elbow and catching him on the jaw. “I didn’t take the mantle.”
My fist drove into his gut, and I shoved him again. Harder.
“I’mjusta female shifter.” I punched him. “Who hasheldthis pack together while my father wasted away. It’smewho got ready to bury the man who raised me, andstillshowed upevery dayto lead this grieving pack.”
Kirk growled, shoulders tensing, ready to strike, but I was already circling him.
“You think I haven’t earned your respect?” My fist struck out, clipping him on the chin, but it lacked power when he moved at the last moment. “I didn’t run from my responsibilities in this pack either.” I dropped, swept my leg, and theidiot landed flat on his back when I took his legs from under him.
I rested my boot on his chest, message delivered.
“You want to lead Blueridge Hollow, Kirk? ChallengeWolfe. He is your pack leader.” I looked around at everyone gathered, letting them see me. I looked back down at Kirk. “Or shut the hell up, never speak of this again, and remember who kept you alive when you were stupid enough to run your mouth.” I wiped my boot across his chest. “Remember who I am,” I spoke to more than just Kirk. “Remember who kept this pack together while you were shivering in corners, worrying about who was going to organize food orders, planting seasons, supply runs.” I tossed my hair off my shoulder. “Remember who kept this pack together while you got ready to fall apart.”
Silence.
Kirk stood up. He seemed ready to lunge—but he held back because he saw what he had forgotten, not a girl mourning her father, but someone ready to fight, someone who didn’t care if she got bloody.
I turned and walked out of the ring; the crowd parted for me like mist. I didn’t look back. Let them whisper their doubts. Let them weigh me with their eyes.
I knew they’d remember this.
I went to my rooms to wash the dust and sweat from my face, changed clothes, and went to the kitchen to find something to eat. I was halfway through peeling an apple when I felt him.
Not footsteps. Not sound.
Wolfe’s presence surrounded me. I didn’t turn. The airshifted when he entered a room—dense, electric,laced with judgment.
“You put Kirk on his back,” he said flatly.
“Tongues wag a lot faster when they’re telling tales.” I sliced the apple clean through, not looking up. I’d told the idiot to keep his mouth shut. “It was nothing you need to get excited about. He just needed someone to put him in his place.”
Silence. Then the door clicked shut behind him. His boots hit the floor once. Twice.
I turned slowly to find him standing behind me, arms crossed, jaw tight. Not with rage. Or disappointment. But…possessiveness?
The kitchen was empty, and I hadn’t heard anyone leave.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I blinked. “Told you what? That I punched a packmate? Not the first time,” I scoffed. “I didn’t even know you were back.”
