This chapter is written from Raelyn's POV

It's strange being back. The narrow, unpaved road, the vegetable garden covered by a thick layer of snow, even the firs framing the square around the packhouse are so familiar, but when I slide out of the car, it's as if I'd step into another world. Beside me, warmth radiates off Kendrick. It's calming but jarring at the same time. My mate mark is pulsing—my wolf is longing to be with her rightful mate.

The whole pack is gathered and the hostility hangs heavy in the air. Not that I can blame them. We've lived in fear of the Northern Light pack for so long that having the enemy step onto our territory is enough to place everyone on high alert. Most pack members are expecting war.

Dante is the first to speak. His voice is nothing but a hiss—he's furious. "Cassum, what is the meaning of this? Why did you bring them? And where is my son?"

Cassum ignores him, her full focus is on the Alpha. She drops on one knee in front of him. "I, Cassum Raynes, member of the Scopan Lake pack, hereby assert my right as Alpha born and call for Trials."

Harla gasps. Her gaze flicks to Dante.

Alpha Nigel is surprisingly calm. "Considering you are a female, I'll give you one chance to repudiate your words and walk away."

Cassum doesn't back down. "I'm prepared to fight to my death. The challenge stands."

The Alpha nods. "So be it. Trials will start tomorrow and any Alpha born of this pack can accept to fight you or forfeit his birthright." His attention shifts to Kendrick and Nicollo. "As to your companions, they can stay on the territory until after the Trials without making their presence a declaration of war. However, the packhouse and settlement are off limits." He smiles with teeth. "Not that I'm trying to be inhospitable, but we simply don't have the space."

When Kendrick reaches for my arm, Harla steps forward. "She is my son's mate and will rejoin our pack."

I internally scream. I can't go back into that house.

Kendrick steps in front of me. He squares his shoulders the way he always does when someone threatens me. "She's under my protection."

"Then where is the pack tattoo that makes her a member of your pack?"

One of the oldest laws of the land—and he never asked me to switch packs. It's something that has been irking me for weeks. It's as if he wants me for himself, but for his pack, I'll always be the outsider.

I stroke his arm, not wanting to spoil Cassum's big moment. Training together with her over these last few months has brought us closer. I admire her, and she has shown me that females are not bound to submit because of their weaker bodies. If she becomes the new Alpha, I could even see myself staying here for a while as her Luna until she has settled in. "It's fine. I can handle them."

Kendrick's lips twist. He obviously disagrees. "But they'll—"

"Let it go. For Cassum."

He openly rolls his eyes. I hate when he does that. It's so dismissive. "Well, if you are sure."

"I am." I walk to the back of the SUV and open the trunk. Pulling out my duffel, I'm ready to step back into my old life. At least temporarily.

Dante blocks my way. "Let me get that for you." As he grabs the bag, his fingers stroke my breast. Not sure if it's intentional to wind me up, but it upsets my wolf. She tries to break to the surface, fighting me when I hold her down. My elbows pop. She has never been fully aligned with Kendrick and me, and this is her chance to be with her mate again. My mark burns and bile fills my mouth. The punishment for defying my nature.

Kendrick looks as if he's ready to tear Dante's throat out. I toss him a pleading look.

Don't ruin this for your sister.

Dante's mumbled words to Kendrick finally draw out a satisfied grin. He got his wolf back under control. "We'll see about that."

Walking toward the house, Dante curls his arm around my shoulders. It pleases my wolf. She stirs contentedly under the surface, waiting for my skins to let their guards down so she can break free.

The females take a knee to show me their respect, but the males keep standing. It will take more to redeem myself, and most will always view me with caution. A clear signal that I might still wear their pack tattoo, but I will never belong again. Unless the leadership at the top changes.

Stepping into the house is like unleashing a nightmare. The air, filled with the scent of firewood, is suffocating. Everyone is staring at me. I twitch. Only Cassum's crooked smile prevents me from turning around and dashing after Kendrick.

The Alpha finally shoots off the question that must be on everyone's mind. "How come you can speak again?"

My new tongue seems to swell in my mouth. "I—I—" I clear my throat when words fail me. What if they tear it out of me again? "Two warlocks healed me." The mere fact that they were magical creatures feels wrong. They are our archenemies. A wolf should never associate with them.

The Alpha's brows furrow. Lance glares as if he's contemplating to end me right here and now. When Harla reaches for me, I shrink back. I shouldn't have left Kendrick. He's the only one who can protect me from them.

"Let's get you upstairs and you can freshen up. I'll get your things from the attic." Harla's smile is gentle and takes away some of the unease. With one more glance at the Alpha and Lance, I follow her upstairs. She leads me right into my old bedroom. Dante's clothes are scattered all over the floor. With a sigh, Harla swoops them up and dumps them in the laundry basket by the door.

I eye the bed. It looks smaller than I remembered.

"Don't worry. Dante will be on guard duty for the first part of the night, and I'll make sure he stays in the barn afterward." Harla empties one of the dresser drawers into the second laundry basket. "I know it'll take time for your relationship to mend, but I expect you to try hard. Dante has changed a lot in the past six months. He has become more responsible and helped train the younger wolves. Not once did he lie with another female. I think he missed you and Alexander."

My smile is tentative. "What about the Trials?" Chances are Dante will not be around to mend anything.

"Cassum Raynes is a female. It's preposterous to think she can beat an Alpha male in a fair fight, let alone my mate. Things will return to normal around here in no time."

When our gazes meet, I detect a gleam of worry in her eyes. She doesn't believe her own words.

One blink and she has herself back under control. "Why don't you take a shower? You must be sweaty from your trip."

I probably reek of Kendrick's scent and she's eager for me to wash it off. "That sounds good."

"And I'll go up to the attic and get your things." Her gaze travels up and down my frame, her brows furrowing when she reaches the riding pants Everest had given me. "We kept all your pretty dresses."

I never liked wearing them since they look more like sacks, but it's not worth arguing over. I will keep the few hand-me-downs I got from Kendrick's sisters in the duffel. Hopefully, at some point, I'll get new clothes again. I'm sick of wearing the stuff others don't want anymore.

I take my time in the shower, lathering up with soap a few times to get rid of Kendrick's scent to show my respect. No need to start a fight on what could be the last day of Dante's life.

When I reemerge from the bathroom, he's stretched out on the bed. I drop the towel to get dressed without even attempting to hide my nakedness.

His brows arch. "You gained a lot of weight."

If he tries to shatter my self-esteem, it's not working. I've never been prouder of my body. "It's muscle tissue."

"It doesn't suit you. Females are supposed to be soft and slender, and not look like a male."

"Well, I like it."

He growls and snaps his teeth.

I fold my arms. "Don't start with me, Dante, or I'm gone."

He snorts. "I wish you'd try. My parents will stop you."

"No doubt, but I'm also sure they'll be less than pleased if I told them that you started an argument not even an hour after I stepped back into this house."

That wipes the smirk off his face.

Picking up the brush, I pull it through my hair. His wolf whimpers; my prolonged nakedness is tempting him. It makes my nature hum contently. She likes us to be the center of attention.

"I still smell that bastard Raynes on you. You two had sex, didn't you?"

I sneer. "I didn't do anything with him you didn't do with Lara."

"You slut."

We shift at the same time, our wolves baring their teeth. I jump onto the bed to have the advantage of an elevated position. Crouching low, the way Cassum showed me, I ready myself for the attack.

"Dante, Raelyn! Stop!" Harla stands on the threshold with her hands on her hips. "No fighting."

Dante snaps his teeth at her.

She raises a warning finger. "I'll get your father."

That does it. Dante shifts back, even though his face is still beet red when he's back in his skins. After a few beats of hesitation, I shift as well.

"Get dressed and then come downstairs. Dinner is ready." Harla spins around and her footsteps clonk on the hardwood floor. She is mad.

Jos peeks around the door. He takes in my nakedness for far too long before his gaze moves to Dante. "You better save your energy. I just stopped by Cassum's room and saw her wolf. She's massive, bro."

Dante waves his hand dismissively. "She's still a female. They might have muscles but zero endurance. Trust me, it will come down to us."

"I'm not ready to be Alpha."

"All we have to do is kill Cassum. Then we can agree to end the Trials and keep dad as Alpha until it's our time."

"I suppose."

Dante raises his fist. "You are with me in this, right Jos?"

"Sure."

For a breath, Jos hesitates to knock fists with his brother. When our eyes meet, I'm convinced he's lying. Not only is his gaze fleeting, as if he were scared, but his smile is fake as hell.

"You heard my mother. Better get downstairs." Dante slaps me on my naked butt before I can move out of his way. "This isn't over," he mouths.

I smile at him with teeth, amazed by his continued ignorance. He'll have to learn that females are worthy opponents; yet chances are he'll be dead the second he finds out.

~~~~

© Sally Mason 2018

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