Page 18 of Forced Wolf Bride

"Well, tell whoever maintains the sports complex to fucking sort it out. It's a disgrace," I bark, knowing deep down, I'm being irrational with Zack.

His reply is smooth and calm. "Sure thing, alpha. I'll make sure it's sorted out this week. Tournaments were always a lot of fun for the pack."

Some of the rage dissipates, and Zack and I hang up on good terms. I pride myself on my ability to stay calm and direct my emotions at the right people, and the neglected sports complex isn't on Zack. If anything, I should have taken charge of it. As alpha, I oversee the maintenance of the lands for my pack.

Pulling away from the tournament field toward the meeting, I try to push down the nagging feeling that I can't decide if I'm angrier at the groundskeeper, myself, Zack, Tyler, or Mason.

I think I'm angry at everyone. Except Quinn.

The last people I want to see as I drive into the lot are Marcus and a couple of his cousins, hanging around and apparently dragging their feet about going into the meeting.

Marcus's father was one of the best wolves I ever knew, a long-time pack elder who had been full of wisdom, quiet power, and selflessly community-minded—the exact opposite of his son. I have often wrestled with how Tyler's values appeared to differ so much from my own. But I find the contrast between Marcus and his father almost more startling.

Still, I struggle with a sense of loyalty to Marcus’s family, and since his father's passing, I've perhaps given him too much slack. His reckless nature is useful in my war with Silverstar pack, though, and I have every intention of using it.

Marcus approaches the pack community hall to meet me. "You didn't bring that pretty mate of yours, alpha?" He grins. “We’d sure like to see her again properly.”

After my outburst with Zack, I’m determined to keep my emotions in check. Still, I won’t have Marcus talking about Quinn. She doesn’t trust him, and I can see why.

“How about you don’t think about my mate at all, Marcus? Let's focus on the job, shall we?" My eyes flash in warning.

Seemingly not taking the hint, Marcus follows me toward the hall. "Obviously, I'm thinking about the job, Diego. She could be useful."

I’m tired of listening to Marcus already, given his previously stupid ideas about what’s “useful”—like smashing up Silverstar's fountain, which achieved absolutely nothing. I turn my back on him and walk to the front.

Despite feeling out of sorts when I arrived, I'm able to work the room as alpha. If anything, I feel stronger and more determined than I have in a long time, which I know is partly due to the bond. It's also partly how Quinn just makes me feel. Happier, I guess.

It's a busy season for the pack, so I let Zack run through the agenda he's put together while I answer questions and make decisions as needed. It's a lengthy system, but one that has worked well for decades and helped make our town one of the most prosperous in the area. We dominate in this part of the state.

I told Zack to deliberately leave our next steps against Silverstar until the last section of the meeting. I wanted to make it clear that the pack's well-being comes first, ahead of vengeance. Clearly, Marcus and his cronies are only attending the meeting to hear more about our plans to attack, so they’re easily distracted during the main parts of the meeting. Clearly, community issues aren't their priority. Which is why I'm alpha.

"Something to say, Marcus?" I ask after his latest insistence that we get to what he considers the main purpose of the meeting. "The school refit not important enough for you?"

"I never said that. Just thought we were here to finally get a plan together," he mutters.

It's true that many in the pack have been eager to strike back after Mateo's men killed our men in the last encounter. They're right to be angry, and it needs addressing. But I won't be rushed.

"I will address this when we're finished,” I growl. “Tyler was my own. I want revenge, I want Mason dead. But I'll be the one who decides when."

"Jameson was my uncle, and he died in that attack. I deserve vengeance, too." Marcus says, not backing down.

"Jameson knew the risks, Marcus, and he stepped up. He also didn't listen. He wasn't supposed to go into that bar, just destroy it," I reply coolly. Jameson was as bad as Marcus, and together, they nurtured a thirst for violence. It had cost Jameson his life.

Though clearly still fuming, Marcus says nothing more. The meeting continues until we have no other business to discuss.

"I've already made it clear I want Mason," I say, looking around the room. "This is about Tyler and my right to avenge him. I'm going to challenge Mason."

A few murmurs go around the room, and I catch Zack's concerned expression. A challenge between alphas means certain death for one.

"There's too much bad blood between our packs," Marcus's brother says. "If you lose, it will be an all-out war. They'll try to take our land. You know how it goes."

It's true that in other communities, when there is no natural alpha left, the victorious pack has often taken property after a challenge, displacing pack members.

"Besides," Marcus adds, "We want more than just Mason. We want the whole lot of them. Lucca and Mateo, too."

I consider what they're saying. Part of me wants that, too—a decisive fight that takes out the whole damn lot who had a hand in killing Tyler.

"We just need to get them together, and I have the perfect plan," Marcus says, nodding to his boys, who are obviously in the know about that plan.

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