Page 90 of Challenged Mate
I don’t believe him.
I kept my opinion to myself.
Axel stepped to my side. I let him take my arm and escort me away from the elders. I heard them begin to argue amongst themselves until we stepped beyond their silencing barrier.
As Axel led me away from the white tents, I chewed my bottom lip and tried to decide what to do next.
I’d sought Axel to convince him to not go through with the mating ceremony, but knowing Asher planned to challenge him changed things. Or did it?
Alpha challenges were rare but not unheard of. Each pack handled them differently.
In the Summit Pack, the challenge was a physical fight in wolf form, viewed by all pack members over the age of sixteen. The challenger was charged with subduing the existing alpha into submission, but death blows were prohibited. At the end of the fight, the pack would vote if the challenger was worthy of taking over as alpha. We would consider their performance during the fight, as well as their contributions to the pack outside of the challenge. It made the process more complicated than simply choosing the physically strongest fighter. Which had been good for me as a female alpha heir.
In other packs, however, their process was more archaic and brutal.
Challengers would fight the pack alpha to the death. Whoever walked out of the fight alive would be deemed alpha.
That type of challenge made the alphas of the Northeastern and Coastal packs particularly brutal with their pack members. They couldn’t afford anyone to think they were weak. Ever.
How does the Wilds Pack handle alpha challenges?
Surely, Asher wouldn’t challenge his brother if it meant one of them would die. The Wilds Pack must handle the matter like the Summit Pack.
Axel and I reached the empty playground.
Stopping by the swing set, he dropped my arm and turned to face me. A silencing barrier brushed over my shoulders, then he prompted, “You wanted to speak to me?”
I did.
But that was before I knew your brother was going to challenge you.
“Yes.” I swallowed. I looked over at the groups of shifters making their way into the white tent. More and more people were arriving. The luncheon would start soon.
“What about?” Axel asked when I didn’t elaborate.
I took a breath. “Where’s Asher?”
“He and Chase returned about an hour ago. They’re cleaning up then they’ll be here.”
Good.
I licked my dry lips. “Did they find anything?”
“No. The trail went cold. They would’ve kept searching, I’m sure, but they didn’t want to miss the luncheon. Kayla would never forgive them.” He chuckled.
My responding smile was wobbly at best.
Axel noticed. “Blair? What’s wrong?”
How could he ask me that?
“I’m nervous.” Not a total lie, but not the truth either.
His gaze softened. “I understand. I think everyone here is a bit nervous.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “It’s been a while since our pack had an alpha mate. And after the attack two nights ago, they are eager for the celebration, but I think everyone is waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
