Page 15 of Midnight Moon
“A calculated move,” my father returned with a slight smile.
“I would argue it is a foolish move,” a haughty voice entered the conversation.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I turned and watched the alpha of the Coastal Pack approach our group.
“Alpha Orlando.” Gone was the friendly tone my father used with Alpha Diego. He and the Coastal Pack alpha were far from allies.
“Benjamin,” the blond alpha returned. “I see you brought the pups despite my advice.”
Beside me, Hunter growled. I shared the sentiment. “Pups” wasn’t exactly a term of respect.
“I see you brought your son,” my father returned, expertly circumventing the Coastal alpha’s insult.
The aforementioned son appeared at his father’s side. Tyler Kerr was just as handsome as I remembered.
I’d met him the one, and only, time my father had brought me to an inter-pack meeting. I was twelve, and the seventeen-year-old Coastal shifter had looked like all the blond models I’d seen in Abercrombie and Fitch advertisements. My preteen heart crushed on the shifter…hard.
Even still, I could appreciate his carefully styled hair and chiseled cheekbones. But what twelve-year-old me had been too naïve to notice was the arrogance wafting off the guy like bad cologne. His smile was almost a sneer as he looked over our group, spending more time on me than the others.
Hunter stepped close. His shoulder brushed against mine.
Tyler’s sneer grew.
“Good to see you, Tyler,” my father, ever the cordial alpha, greeted the Coastal Pack heir.
“Alpha Benjamin.” Tyler dipped his head respectfully, finally pulling his gaze off me.
“I hear you are representing your father in the games.”
“I am.”
“But my beta will be acting as his second,” Alpha Orlando stated, giving Hunter a pointed look. “The Coastal Pack doesn’t want to come in last place, after all.”
I clenched my fist. If I wasn’t determined to win more than one game before, I certainly was now.
My father gave the other alpha a tight smile. “The Summit Pack believes there is more to be gained from our heirs participating in these games than simply winning.”
“Said like an alpha who knows his pack won’t win.” Alpha Orlando chuckled and gazed around the room. “Perhaps your protégés would be amenable to forging an alliance with the Coastal Pack. At least for the first game.”
“No, thank you.” The words flew from my mouth. No way was I going to trust the Coastal Pack. I knew their history.
It was only after seeing the scowl on Alpha Orlando’s face that I realized I should have at least hesitated with my rejection. Now, both he and his son looked at me like I was worth less than the dirt underneath their boots.
“Good evening, everyone.” The alpha of the Badlands Pack, Kurt Montgomery, blessedly interrupted the tension caused by my faux pas. “The Badlands Pack welcomes you to our lands. If you would please find a seat, we will begin the opening ceremony shortly.”
Shifters began to move to the long, wooden benches placed in front of the massive stone fireplace on the far side of the room. Hunter placed a hand on my back, about to steer me away from the Coastal Pack, when Alpha Orlando interrupted.
“I understand your reservations regarding an alliance with our pack.” The alpha’s unnerving eyes locked onto mine. They were cold and calculating. “However, I encourage you to discuss the matter with your alpha. Someone in yourpositioncould use all the allies they can get.”
My lips parted.
The Coastal alpha and his entourage walked away before I could respond. Tyler’s eyes raked over me once more before he followed in his father’s footsteps.
I looked up at Hunter. “What the hell did he mean by that?”
“Not now, Blair.” My father stepped beside me. “Let’s find our seats.” He gave a pointed look at the curious eyes watching our group.
On my other side, Hunter’s hand remained on my back. If we weren’t the center of so much attention, I would step away from his touch. As it was, I simply nodded.
