Page 58 of Challenged Mate
“Yeah. A few of our pack members were pretty pissed at your dad for agreeing to the Wilds Pack’s prize. It took Hunter and my dad to explain how he didn’t really have a choice when the Wilds Pack sweetened the deal with the other packs, but some shifters are still vocal about their disapproval.”
“Wow.”
Not once had I thought any of my pack members would stand up for me like that. I mean, I knew many accepted me as their future alpha, but I didn’t think it was out of loyalty to me. Rather, it was out of loyalty to tradition. And my father.
“Yeah,” Stephanie continued. “And the pack is divided on who to name as the next alpha heir. Some think you’ll find your way back here to claim the title, while the rest think we should move on.”
I didn’t know what shocked me more: the fact anyone in the Summit Pack actually thought I could return, or that enough shifters actually wanted that to hold up the decision.
“How does Hunter feel about it?” I asked.
Stephanie’s hesitation told me all I needed to know.
Seconds later, she sighed. “Hunter’s pretty torn up. He’s not acting like himself.”
“What do you mean?”
Again, she hesitated.
“Steph.” I rolled over and grabbed the phone, turning off the speaker phone, and holding the device to my ear. “Tell me. Please.”
She exhaled. It was a heavy, tired sound. “Hunter is refusing to accept the nomination as the next alpha heir.”
“What! Why?”
“Why do you think?” Stephanie murmured.
I let her words sink in, and a deep ache throbbed in my chest.
Of all the shifters in the Summit Pack, Hunter was the most qualified to take over as our future alpha. He couldn’t let loyalty to me make him do something stupid—like pass the position on to someone else. My fate was sealed. All that mattered now was making sure the Summit Pack would be able to continue on.
“Your dad’s been trying to talk sense into him,” Stephanie said after I didn’t respond. “With time, I think he will come around. It’s just been a rough week.”
“I’m sure.”
“Sorry, girl. I shouldn’t be dumping this on you. You have enough problems.”
“No, I want to know this stuff. Just because I’m not there, doesn’t mean I don’t care.”
“Of course you care,” Stephanie replied. “I just meant you have a lot on your plate. I shouldn’t add to it.”
“I’m okay.”
Lie.
Stephanie changed the subject, “So… what’s the Wilds Pack like? Are all the men as hunky as Asher and Chase?”
“They’re just like a normal pack,” I told her. “Except for the fact a lot of them have magic.”
“Shut the front door.”
“I’m serious. Chase and Kayla have been helping me with my powers too.”
“Who’s Kayla?”
“Asher’s little sister,” I replied.
“Ah.” She paused. “Have you met the alpha?”
