Page 91 of Challenged Mate
I felt the same way.
“What happens when an alpha is challenged in the Wilds Pack?”
Axel ran a hand through his black hair. “I knew you heard that.”
When he didn’t explain, I pressed, “What happens, Axel? Tell me.”
His arm fell to his side. With a resigned sigh, he said, “When a Wilds shifter challenges the alpha, they challenge him to a fight to the death. Only one will walk away from the challenge.”
Horror rocked me to my core. “What?”
Axel looked into the distance—his face unreadable. “Don’t worry about it, Blair. It’s not your problem.”
“Like hell it isn’t!” Thank the Mother for the silencing barrier. My rigid posture hadn’t gone unnoticed by the passing shifters, but my shout would have drawn even more curious looks.
Axel’s blue eyes, so like his brother’s, met mine. “It will all work out fine. You’ll see.” He glanced at the gold watch on his wrist. “The luncheon begins in ten minutes. We should go find our seats.”
I didn’t want to listen. I wanted to rage at him and his idiotic brother.
If a challenge was imminent—if the twins truly planned to fight one another until only one was standing—it would destroy the pack.
Forget telling Axel to cancel the mating ceremony. That could wait. I needed to find Asher.
We had a fated bond, and its pull was like nothing I could have ever imagined, but that was no reason to commit fratricide.
I needed to talk sense into him before it was too late.
Twenty-Seven
Ten minutes later,I sat at the center table under the massive white tents. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. Kayla sat to my left, while Jenny and Debbie were to my right.
Apparently, Wilds Pack tradition dictated the mating male and female were kept separate until they met at the altar under the moon. As the only pack females I was friendly with, Kayla, Jenny, and Debbie would act as my handmaids in the mating ceremony.
I spared a longing thought for Stephanie’s presence. I’d rarely pictured myself mating anyone while growing up, but when I did, I always saw my best friend at my side. Her absence made the pit in my stomach grow.
I looked at Axel as a server placed a delicate deli sandwich and steamed vegetables on my plate. Unlike me, Axel wasn’t in the center of the table placed on the other side of the tent. He positioned himself at the seat at the end of the table, closest to the tent flaps which were tied open to let in a breeze. More than once, I caught him glancing at the opening with a frown.
Was he regretting the decision to move up the mating ceremony?
I hoped so.
Once the girls at my table had their food, the server moved on to serve another table. Kayla, Jenny, and Debbie proceeded to eat without a word. They’d picked up on my mood the moment they joined me at the table.
At first, the girls tried to distract me, but after sensing no amount of clever jokes or funny stories would ease the turmoil within me, they gave up.
My plate sat untouched as I looked between the different tent entrances, waiting for Asher and Chase to arrive. Kayla had been hesitant to begin the luncheon without them. She ultimately decided not to make the pack wait to eat, but not without muttering pointed grumbles about inconsiderate tardiness under her breath.
I shared the sentiment, but for a different reason.
As if summoned by my thoughts, Asher and Chase ducked through the tent opening.
The second I noticed them, I was on my feet.
I ignored Kayla as she called my name.
I ignored the hushed murmurs of those who noticed my actions.
My focus was on Asher and the tongue lashing I planned to give him for even considering challenging his brother. I couldn’t believe he would be so reckless.
