Page 50 of The Pack Next Door
“Ready to win that trial, son?”
Ned clapped me on the shoulder, shooting me the same friendly smile he wore with everyone, but it felt like I was the only one who saw the steel beneath it.
“Of course.”
Competing against all the other alphas in the running would show Briar that we were worthy of her. If we could work together as a team, she’d know we’d do the same for her. I’d have participated in this trial just to get her eyes on me, but the possibilities at the end? Her leaving Moon River made sense. Who would want to live in the one place you experienced such trauma? But together we could rewrite history. With a nod, I slid behind the wheel. For just a moment, I stared into the rear-vision mirror, watching her car take off down the road before I checked everyone was in our vehicle so we could do the same.
“If I can haveeveryone’s attention!”
We’d arrived at the park and saw the entire town had come out to watch the proceedings. My eyes searched for only onecitizen. Over in the distance, I made out my mate and her mother, several other women clustered around her.
“Eye on the prize, son.”
Ned clapped me on the shoulder.
My focus broken, I looked over at my brothers, jerking my head to indicate we needed to join the other competitors.
“What’s the point in participating in this trial?” A glare at Maddox did nothing. Why did he have to question every single one of my plans? “We haven’t even talked to Briar about becoming the ruling omega of the town.”
“She’d have to want to return.” Jace looked at me. “I mean, her mum isn’t doing so well and she only left due to that shitty rejection. This is her home, right?”
“Right,” I replied, thinking that was that.
“Pretty sure I’m gonna need to hear that from her lips,” Maddox said, falling silent as the Hart pack glanced our way.
“After,” I hissed. “Now let’s focus.”
“It’s been a long time since we’ve held alpha trials in Moon River,” Kieran said to the crowd. “For those that didn’t see the one where we won the right to run the town.”
“So most people,” Adam said drily.
“You need to know that we do things differently here. Pitting pack against pack in a fight doesn’t tell you anything about alphas other than who can beat another shifter down hardest.” Kieran’s eyes creased. “Good qualities in an enforcer. Not in a leading pack. Instead, we have a trial that involves skill, determination, the ability to work as a team, and…” Damien stepped forward with a cat carrier, brandishing it before the crowd. “The ability to use superior strength to protect, rather than destroy.”
The alpha trials were shrouded in mystery. Ned had gleaned some details from older people, but not enough to help. So when Damien produced a large white rabbit, my eyes went wide.
“What the…?” Maddox hissed.
“Catch the rabbit and present it to your designated person,” Damien said. “Unharmed. Anyone who hurts the rabbit in any way is instantly disqualified. Serious injury or death means you and your line are barred from Moon River for life.”
The rabbit didn’t look too pleased by all of this, and I was pretty sure I felt the same way. Rabbits were for eating, not rescuing, the wolf told me, unable to understand this convoluted human logic. Only a comparison with wolf pack life got him to understand even a little.
“So first, I need all the competing packs to nominate their person. Getting the rabbit into their hands unharmed will win you the trial.”
“I could do that.” Mum smiled as she walked over. “I’ve hunted enough rabbits to know how to handle one.”
Before I could say a thing, Maddox’s voice rang out across the crowd.
“Briar.” That had the townspeople chattering. “Briar Reynolds is our nomination.”
Ned nodded slowly, then came to stand beside me.
“Not a bad idea, son. Getting a local girl involved? Good optics.”
So why did my mother’s lips thin down into a hard line? Her eyes flashed in a way I knew all too well, promising a harsh conversation later. Wasn’t as if I hadn’t suffered through one of those before. I came and stood behind Maddox, and Jace did the same, right as the crowd parted to allow Briar to come forward.
“You should’ve picked someone else.” That was uttered between clenched teeth, and her burnt flowers scent confused me. “I’m here looking after Mum.”
“It’ll be fine.” I stepped forward, daring to place a hand on her shoulder. “Stay with your mother and we’ll find you. Who knows? We might not even catch the rabbit.”
