21. River

Thirty minutes after watching Frankie enter the compound, three SUVs with out-of-state plates roll up to the front gates. Theyre waved through without any hesitation.

And then, I break from my hiding place in the woods. My paws splash through the mud along the side of the road as I race toward the front gate. Every bounding leap I take carries me toward the home Id spent so much time trying to escape from.

My heart pounds as the guards at the gate catch sight of me. They recognize me immediately and start shouting at one another. The wolves from the northern pack are already running from their vehicles.

The confused shouts from all directions are exactly the reaction I was hoping for. After all, this is probably the last place they expected to see me after they spent so long trying to find me.

My lips are curled back in a snarl as I dodge through the half-dozen wolves caught mid-shift. My target is one Im deeply familiar with—a wolf Ive hated from the moment I met him.

Elias, my fiancé.

He stands open-mouthed and frozen in shock at the sight of me galloping toward him. In wolf form, hes bigger, stronger, and faster than me. But right now, Ive got the advantage.

And I use it.

My paws collide with his chest and stomach as my fangs find his throat... The momentum carries us both as I ride him to the ground with a violent growl. My sharp teeth press against his windpipe and jugular vein.

Hes entirely at my mercy...and judging by how still he is, he knows it.

Everyone around us freezes in place, no one daring to breathe as I hold one of the most powerful Alphas in the region in my jaws.

What now, River? he asks, his voice barely audible as he tries to breathe against the pressure on his throat. Did you think this through at all?

If I release him, I lose my advantage. If I kill him, I lose my bargaining chip.

Thankfully, I can hear my backup approaching. Kyle and Devon walk up the road behind me, their steps even and unhurried.

Stay back! one of the unshifted guards shouts at them.

No, Kyle says with a flat tone that makes them stop dead in their tracks. And unless you want to be responsible for the death of that alpha, youll step away from us.

The guard is clearly at a loss as Kyle and Devon walk past him and move directly to my side.

Now. Kyle drops to one knee by Eliass head as Devon keeps his eyes on everyone around us. Its time to discuss your future. Youre either gonna live a very long time…or not.

Elias’s eyes dart between me and Kyle. Hes terrified. And he should be.

If you agree to our terms, you’ll live. Kyle narrows his eyes. If you dont...well, we both know what happens then.

What do you want? Elias asks, his voice strained.

I thought youd never ask. Kyle grins, a dark joy spreading across his face. We have a few conditions, and youre gonna agree to all of them.

Or what?

I snarl and tighten my grip on his neck to answer his question.

Okay, okay. He gasps and whimpers until I relax a little and give him room to breathe again.

What do you want? His gaze darts to Kyle, waiting to hear the conditions. You want this little bitch? Fine. I dont care.

Oh, this isnt about River. Kyle leans over the alpha on the ground. And Id watch how you talk about someone who has their fangs that close to your throat.

You know as well as I do that killing me isnt gonna get you what you want. He stares me down as if hoping to appeal to my reasonable side. Otherwise, you wouldve done it already.

Perhaps. Kyle shrugs as if contemplating the point. But the fact remains that you’re at his mercy. Id show a little more respect.

What do you want? Elias asks again, his voice a low growl.

First of all, we want you to leave this pack alone. Kyle’s voice is equally deadly.

That’s what this whole scene is about? Elias scoffs and rolls his eyes. The territory they have is far more valuable than I am. One wolfs death is a small price to pay for the hunting land here.

True... Kyle grins down at him. But I happen to know theres another reason why your pack isn’t trying to rescue you right now.

The smartass seems to think this is a game. “Please, enlighten me.”

Kyle sighs. Rivers threat against your life is dire, of course, but right now, hes technically the new Alpha of your pack. Isnt he?

Elias looks up at Kyle with a mixture of confusion and fear.

Glancing around the group, everyone from his pack is wearing the same expression.

He dethroned you, singlehandedly, without outside help. Kyle shrugs, his grin widening. “Even if we let you up right now, you’ve already lost your pack.

No... He shakes his head and looks around at his men. That only applies to?—

To single combat, between two individual wolves, who would otherwise be eligible to lead. Kyle recites the law verbatim. Hes the heir of this pack, so hes clearly eligible to lead this pack under the right circumstances.

As if on cue, a brief motion from the main building catches my eye. Frankie is crossing the lot toward us with my parents in tow.

“Oh, he’s not just the heir.” Frankie is wearing a broad grin, excited to share his news. “He’s the Alpha of this pack now.”