Page 48 of The Alpha Option
It didn’t change what was going to happen, but it made the here and now what it was supposed to be.
They were at the breakfast table the next morning when Stephanie asked the all-important question. “Where does this go down?”
“I issued the challenge, so Del picks the spot. He chose Wilson’s meadow.” His hand squeezed Cassidy’s thigh. “It’s going to be okay. I’ve got a plan.”
Good thing one of them did. Her heart was in her throat, and she didn’t know how she would make it through the rest of the day waiting for the challenge to happen. “I’m going to be there. Just in case there’s some rule about humans not being allowed, I’m letting you know I’m going to be there.”
He smiled. The first real true smile she’d seen on his face in days. “Babe, no one would dare think of keeping you away.”
Jace couldn’t rememberanother time when it had rained for so many days in a row in June. Which made the prospect of the challenge not only more difficult but infuriated his wolf on a whole different level.
He had to fight? No problem. Get wet? That pissed him off.
He stood at the side of the clearing, the pack members who came to witness slowly filling spaces along the tree line. Before him was the large opening with shorter grass where they’d meet.
Blue left Cassidy and Stephanie standing with Sophie and came over to join Jace. “Not that you need it, but good luck.”
Jace glanced at Cassidy, proud to see how she stood straight and tall amid those gathered as if she belonged. As if she knew. “Shouldn’t you be staying neutral and not talking to me right now?”
Blue made a rude noise. “Please. Everybody knows I think you should be leading. If me talking to you is enough to make this barbaric ritual shorter, so be it.”
On the other side of the clearing, Del was taking off his shirt.
“I was kind of hoping to rip one of his suits apart,” Jace admitted, working to remove his clothes as well.
“You could ask for one as a bonus when you spare his life,” Blue suggested. He patted his hand firmly on Jace’s shoulder, gaze intent. “Keep control of your wolf. Del’s done a decent job, all things considered. I think you’d regret it if you tore out his jugular.”
“He’s staring at Stephanie again,” Jace said dryly.
“On the other hand, kick him in the balls a few times for me.” Blue saluted then marched back to where the women waited.
A moment’s pause as those who’d gathered quieted.
The rain continued to fall, soaking the ground so heavily that when Jace finished stripping and walked forward to meet Del in the middle of the clearing, mud squished up between his toes with every step.
Even Del’s neatly trimmed hair was soaked enough to look unruly.
Del lifted his chin. “You’ve issued a challenge to my leadership. I accept, but I also offer leniency if you want to back out now.”
“Blow me,” Jace offered.
Del grinned. “Cocky bastard. I’ll try to stop after you’re incapacitated, but there’s no guarantee.” His gaze narrowed and turned dark. “And the great part is, with you out of the picture, Cassidy might—”
Jace saw red before the sentence was even over. His hand shot out, and his fingers wrapped around Del’s throat.
The next second, Jace held a handful of fur, and razor-sharp teeth came dangerously close to his wrist.
Jace shifted, putting them back on an even playing field. Scrambling with teeth and claws to get a purchase in the mud as they lunged forward and swayed back. Jace ignored everything outside the circle.
He knew Cassidy was there—could feel she was there with everything in him. He knew Blue was there, giving the quiet support that had always been a part of their relationship. The laughing joy that was the newcomer Stephanie. And all the pack members Jace had been getting to know all over again during the past weeks.
They were there. He felt them, felt their support.
But the growling powerhouse in front of him was his highest priority.
Del feinted to the right then lurched left. Jace anticipated the move but reacted too slowly when the motion turned into a flip and then a swipe of claws. Pain raked his shoulder, streaking all the way down to his paw.
Before him, his cousin bared his teeth in a wolfish smile of satisfaction for drawing first blood.
