Page 46 of In Your Eyes
Korban considered my words. “My father? But I thought because of what he did—”
“Not your father.” I met his gaze. “You.”
“The interpack council removed me from the position,” he argued.
“No,” I said vehemently. “They had no cause to remove you as Alpha. That’s part of what I should have realized all along. Miancarem took our Alpha in violation of pack rules. That meant under the old laws, we were entitled to demand equivalent retribution—we were entitled to demand an Alpha. But Dirk no longer held the honor because of what he did, so the interpack council delivered you.” I waited for a few seconds, letting what I’d said sink in. “They gave us an Alpha, Korban. The tribute was validbecauseof who you are to the Miancarem pack. You’re their Alpha.”
He didn’t make a sound, didn’t take a breath. “I don’t want it,” he said eventually. “My place is by your side, but….”
We’d make it work. I was Korban’s mate. That came first, and whatever else happened, we’d deal with it.
“You said the current Alpha identifies a presumptive Alpha and that person takes over when the Alpha steps down?” Korban said.
“Yes.”
“Yoram said he was going to challenge Dennis. He won’t stand by and let a weaker man lead the pack, especially because my uncle has all the same faults as my father and none of the power. Yoram’s family is well established, so a lot of pack members will be pleased if he unseats Dennis. But those who are loyal to my family line will be angry.” He rubbed his palms over his eyes. “It’s a mess. But if an Alpha can appoint the presumptive Alpha, and I’m the Alpha—”
“You want to take your rightful place in your pack only to turn around and hand it over to your friend?” I said, suddenly understanding what he was telling me.
He nodded. “Can I do that?”
I thought about it carefully, not wanting to miss an angle and make another mistake.
“Yes, but if there’s as much unrest in the pack as you’ve been told, you’re taking a risk of being challenged in the ring.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well.” I considered all the facts I knew. “An Alpha can be challenged in the ring, as you know. If you claim your place, the shifters who are opposed to the change in leadership might immediately challenge you.”
“No. It’s not me they’re angry with, and even if they were, Yoram would never let them challenge me. He’s a loyal friend and he’ll know my plan.”
“You’re referring to the pack members who want your line to leave.”
“Yes. Who were you talking about?”
“Your uncle.”
Korban swallowed hard. “You think my uncle will challenge me in a fight to the death?”
“It’s possible, Korban.” I raised our joined hands to my mouth and kissed the underside of his wrist. “I don’t know him, but you suspect him of being involved in poisoning my father. He was willing to take a life in exchange for power. How do you know he won’t try to do it again?”
“You’re right,” he admitted. “But I’m stronger than my uncle.” He scoffed. “I’m stronger than my father too, which is one reason he doesn’t trust me. Even if Dennis challenges me, he won’t stand a chance of winning.”
The conversation was uncomfortably familiar. “My father thought the same thing,” I whispered.
“Oh, honey.” Korban’s face fell. “I’m sorry. I should have realized.” He pulled me onto his lap and held me close. “I won’t make you watch me fight.” He kissed my neck. “It wasn’t fair of me to even suggest it. Like I said, you’re my mate. My loyalty rests with you.”
“But your pack—”
“The shifters in Miancarem will have to bring themselves out of this mess,” he said, his voice strained and his expression pained. “Yafenack is my pack now.”
Though I knew he meant what he said—he’d put me first even if it meant standing by as harm came to the pack he’d been raised to lead—and though I loathed the thought of watching a man I loved step into the ring where my father died, I couldn’t let an entire pack suffer because of my worries. An Alpha had to be strong enough to make sacrifices for the good of the pack.
My father had been willing to risk himself to take over Miancarem and save them from a weak leader. My mate was willing to risk himself to save the pack he’d been raised in from breaking apart. I could set aside my fears for the good of the pack.
“If you want to do it, I’ll stand by you,” I said. “I know you’re stronger than Dennis, and the pack needs you.”
He brushed my hair off my forehead. “You’re sure?”
