Page 29 of Saving the Last Heir
“Alpha?” Her brows knit together. “Like alpha male? What does that even mean?”
Strange that I needed to explain something that was so ingrained in shifter culture and life. So few humans knew of our existence, but it didn’t make it any less weird to describe.
“Not really,” I said. “The alpha could, in theory, be a woman, though that’s pretty rare. We’re usually the most powerful and strong members of a pack—uh, a pack is like a familial or social unit. It’s not really something you can work to attain. You’re either born an alpha or you’re not. Make sense?”
“I think so,” she said. “Do you guys get voted in or something?”
“It’s not really a democracy. In ideal situations, an alpha will have an heir who’s also born an alpha, and the mantle is handed down parent to child.”
“And in the not-ideal situations?” she asked.
“If there’s a question about ethics or strength, or even legitimacy, any alpha born in a pack or rival pack can challenge for leadership. If so? We fight.”
She stared back at me, her mouth falling open. “You mean, like, to the death?”
I shrugged. “Or until they yield. Either way.”
“Holy shit,” she gasped, looking at me like I’d lost the plot. “And you’re in charge of everyone in this pack thing?”
“Day-to-day life, big decisions, finances, protection—all of it, yeah,” I said. “It’s why any time I get to spend with my friend helps relieve the tension and stress of responsibility. Going to ball games, concerts, a poker game? Anything to get my mind off my duties.”
“That’s good. Everyone needs to have a life outside of obligation.” She sighed. “I could take a hint there as well. Anyway, I’m beat. I had a knockdown, drag-out fight with some creep in my garage an hour or two ago, and I need to sleep.”
Moving toward the stairs, I said, “I can show you the bedroom.”
“Hang on,” she said, placing her hand on the wall and eyeing me with suspicion. “This isn’t gonna be one of those things where there’s only one bed, and you’ve got some issue with your spine that makes it so you”—she lowered her voice into a mock male baritone—“just can’t sleep on the couch or floor, babe. It’s okay, I’ll stay on my side of the bed, though.That’s too cliche.”
“The place has four bedrooms,” I said.
“Oh.” Shyanne nodded once, and if I wasn’t mistaken, she looked a bit disappointed. “Cool. Lead the way.”
I showed her to the biggest and fanciest bedroom. The room had a king-sized bed with a frame made from polished hewn logs, a thick comforter, as well as a large dresser, a fluffy chair, and its own en suite bathroom.
“Damn, this is better than what I have back home,” she said as she walked over to sit on the bed. “Firm too, just the way I like it.”
Deeming it too easy of a joke to point out, I grabbed the doorknob. “Good night, Shyanne.”
“Goodnight, Jackson,” she said, then, after the briefest hesitation, added, “I’m going to help you get your sister back. I promise.”
I couldn’t say anything to that—all I could do was nod as I stepped out of the room. I closed the door, then leaned my head against it. The weight of everything that had happened came crashing down on me. From the moment I woke up to my mother’s screams, the only good thing that had happened was coming across Shyanne. From everything she said, she seemed like a dependable ally. Someone I could rely on to help me. The fact that I was incredibly attracted to her didn’t hurt.
With a sigh, I turned on my heel and strode down to the front door. I had to fly back to her garage and do what I said I’d do. It was what I always did. No matter what happened, no matter how bad things got, I always kept my word.
7
SHYANNE
When I woke up the next morning, I stared around in utter confusion.
Panic welled in my chest as I sat up.Where the fuck am I?
The memories of the night before came flooding back. The late night, the strange handsome man at the garage door, the fight, the running, the…
“Oh shit,” I muttered, putting a hand to my forehead. Dragons. Dragons were real.
I could still barely believe it all. My analytical side kept arguing against it, but as Jackson had said, seeing was believing. And there was something so honest and truthful about what he’d said that I couldn’t ignore the truth, even if it tore my perception of reality to shreds.
The entirety of my world and the foundations of everything I’d ever known had been turned upside down in one night. All the myths, legends, and bedtime stories had turned out to be true,and now I was in the house ofoneof those legends. It was almost too much to believe.
