18. Cooper

Chapter 18

Cooper

M y gut told me something bad was about to happen, and I was right. I gripped my cellphone close to my ear, listening intently to what Noah was trying to tell me.

"Let me talk to Miles," I said immediately.

"He's still a little shocked. Look, just get here as fast as you can," Noah suggested.

"I'm just a few hours away," I said, ending the call.

My heart pounded as I tried to picture what had happened. When I went back to Pecan Pines to see Sawyer, I was considered an outsider.

If one of Ryder's wolves jumped me, they could write it off as me causing trouble and Ryder's wolves bringing me to heel.

But messing with Miles, a fellow pack member and a local who owned a business in town? That was unacceptable. Even worse, I kept picturing Miles, hurt and scared.

Noah said Ryder's guys trashed the place and mentioned a slight tussle but didn't give me any more information when I pressed.

I drove to Pecan Pines in a hurry, my mind racing with a mixture of fear and anger. When I arrived, there was still a small crowd in front of the store.

I wanted to growl at them, remind them to mind their own business and scatter, but then I recognized one of the onlookers—Lee. I peered inside the store and saw that Miles and Noah weren't alone anymore.

Ben and Griffin were inside, helping to clean up the mess. To my surprise, Sawyer was there as well, despite his leg acting up. Seeing them gave me some solace. Miles wasn't alone—he had people to back him up.

"Did you see what happened?" I asked Lee as I approached him.

"No, but I heard about it. What a mess. Coop, are you going to let Ryder get away with this?" Lee asked me angrily.

Me? By all accounts, I was still an outsider.

The Pecan Pines pack shouldn't be looking at me for answers, and yet, Lee had a point. Ryder had crossed a line he shouldn't have.

Did he really think he was going to get away with this?

"We'll see," I said to Lee. "If you'll excuse me, I need to see if my mate's alright."

I knew exactly what I had to do, but I wanted to hear Miles' opinion first.

Pushing past the crowd, I entered the store. The place was a wreck—shelves overturned, merchandise scattered everywhere.

The smell of wolf musk, aggression, and fear still lingered in the air. Miles looked up as I approached, his eyes wide and a little glassy, but he was unhurt.

Relief washed over me, but it was quickly replaced by a simmering rage when I saw the bruise on his cheek.

I walked up to Miles and gently touched his cheek, my fingers grazing the tender skin.

Miles looked up at me, then placed his hand over mine, his touch warm and reassuring. He flashed me a small, brave smile.

"I'm alright, Coop," he said softly.

I felt a swell of emotion, my anger melting away in the warmth of his gaze. "Miles," I whispered. "I'm so sorry this happened."

"It's not your fault," he murmured, his fingers squeezing mine gently. "You're here now, and that's what matters."

I leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to his forehead, letting my lips linger for a moment. Then I turned to Noah.

"Tell me what happened," I said, wanting to have all the information on hand.

Noah stepped forward, his expression grim. He started explaining, and Miles chimed in every now and then, seeming to have gotten over his initial shock.

Sawyer seemed surprised when Noah mentioned that Miles had suddenly turned aggressive during the incident, but I wasn't.

My mate was no pushover, and when his turf was threatened, I knew he would do anything in his power to defend it.

"Those were Ryder's exact words?" I asked Miles. "That he'll hurt another member of your family again if I don't leave?"

He nodded grimly.

"Coward," I muttered under my breath.

Going after those I cared about instead of directly confronting me was unacceptable. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fury brewing inside me, but it was no use.

Ryder had made it personal, and I was the only one who could put a stop to it.

"Thanks for being here," I said to Noah, nodding to Griffin, Ben, and Sawyer.

They had probably dropped everything to come here and help out. I looked at my mate.

"This is the final straw. I'm going to make sure this doesn't happen again."

"Cooper, what are you planning?" Sawyer asked carefully.

"Now that I'm no longer part of a pack, I'm going to do what I should've done in the first place. Challenge Ryder for his position," I said.

Miles gripped my arm and looked into my eyes. He furrowed his brows, and I could see the worry on his face. "Cooper, you left the Winter Valley Pack?" Miles asked.

"I did. I just need to help Daniel find a replacement, but essentially, I'm a free agent now," I said. I took Miles' hands in mine. "Miles, I've made my choice, and I choose you. I'm sorry for making you wait."

Miles flushed at that. "That's great, Coop, but you seriously better win this fight first."

"I will," I told my mate with utmost confidence.

"Cooper, did you forget what happened ten years ago when you faced Ryder in the challenge circle?" Sawyer demanded.

"He nearly killed you, son," Ben said softly.

Griffin was silent next to Noah, who seemed unsure of what to say. Both Ben and Sawyer seemed against the idea.

They didn't think it was smart to go after Ryder again, but Miles had a look of approval in his eyes. His confidence in me was all that mattered.

"I was young and inexperienced back then," I told Sawyer and Ben. "But now? I'm different. I've grown up, and Ryder? He's just grown old and cowardly."

"He had to threaten me and order his minions to trash my shop because he's terrified of facing Cooper one-on-one," Miles pointed out.

"You have that stubborn look in your eyes," Sawyer said with a sigh. "You've made up your mind, haven't you?"

I nodded. Ben began to protest, but Sawyer cut him off, "Then there's no stopping him. All we can do is watch from the sidelines and make sure it's a fair fight."

Ben had a resigned look on his face, but eventually, he conceded. "Very well, I'll ring up Lee, Hannah, and the other old-timers. You're not alone in this, Coop. Nearly half the pack would be cheering for you," Ben told me.

"I'll do my best," I said, but I only had eyes for Miles.

"I see you haven't learned your lesson, pup. I spared you ten years ago after your humiliating defeat because I was merciful. Don't expect the same now," Ryder taunted across the challenge circle.

Even though I had only sent out the challenge two hours ago, Ben had fulfilled his promise and spread the word to the rest of the pack. I wasn't expecting everyone to show up, but they did.

I was honestly surprised by the turnout. Practically half the pack stood on my side of the challenge circle, while the other half, Ryder's supporters, stayed on his.

"You crossed the line when you sent your men into Miles' store in broad daylight," I said, my voice steady despite the anger burning inside me.

"I teach disobedient wolves their place when the need calls for it. Just ask Ben or Sawyer," Ryder said with a sneer.

"You beat them up on pack lands, but threatening a pack member, one of your own, in front of the normals? Are you that desperate to assert your authority?" I retorted.

Murmurs broke out after my words. Some wolves probably hadn't heard about what happened to Miles' store.

"This is my town. I lead this pack, and I can do whatever the hell I want," Ryder said. "You should've fled town when you could, Cooper. Now your mate will have to bury you after this. What a pity."

Did Ryder really think his taunts would get to me?

I flashed him a cold smile instead and was rewarded when I saw hesitation flicker across his features.

"Enough talking. Only one body will be buried today," I said.

We began to circle each other. With a snarl, Ryder shifted first, his body contorting and transforming into a massive, black-furred wolf.

I felt the familiar surge of power course through me as I shifted, my own wolf form emerging to face him. Ryder lunged first, his movements unexpectedly swift for someone his age, but I was ready.

I dodged, feeling the rush of adrenaline sharpen my senses. He came at me again, and this time, I met him head-on. Our bodies collided, and we entered a dance to the death.

I could hear the gasps and murmurs of the pack as we grappled, each of us trying to gain the upper hand. I ignored the noise and focused on the fight.

Everything depended on my victory. I wasn't going to let Miles spend the rest of his life grieving over me. I had confidently told Sawyer and Ben I could easily beat Ryder, but he was surprisingly a difficult opponent.

It was clear he hadn't stayed idle and kept himself in shape. But I had something Ryder lacked—a reason to fight. Miles' face flashed before my eyes, giving me the drive to push harder.

I sank my teeth into Ryder's shoulder, tasting blood, and he let out a pained yelp, staggering back.

The fight was far from over. Ryder bared his teeth, his eyes blazing with fury. With a growl, Ryder charged at me again, but I easily dodged his attack.

We clashed repeatedly, neither side giving ground. My wolf wanted to go all out, but recklessness was what led to my defeat ten years ago. Patience was the key to winning.

We clawed at each other and exchanged bites, but I noticed Ryder was panting a little. He didn't have the same stamina he had a decade ago.

Adrenaline surged through my veins. I could go a dozen more rounds.

The pack watched in tense silence, their loyalties divided. Finally, I saw my opening. Ryder overextended in his attack, and I seized the moment.

With a powerful swipe, I knocked him off balance. He fell to the ground, and I was on him in an instant, pinning him down with my full weight.

Ryder struggled beneath me, but the fight had drained from him. The realization that he had lost flickered in his eyes.

He lunged at me, a desperate strike, but I locked my fangs around his throat and ripped it out in one smooth motion. I looked at the spectators, searching for Miles.

The pack was silent for a moment, then slowly, cheers and howls erupted from my side of the circle. Ryder's supporters looked uncertain, but the resolve in the eyes of those on my side was clear.

Change was coming, and it started now. That was the message I wanted to send to everyone.

Finally, I saw my mate, standing at the edge of the circle, his eyes filled with pride and relief. I shifted back to my human form and walked over to him.

"It's over," I said softly, pulling him into my arms.

Miles hugged me tightly. "I knew you could do it."

When I took on Ryder, I knew I would be taking on the responsibilities of a lead alpha if I won. There was so much work to be done.

However, with Miles by my side and the pack ready for change, the task seemed less daunting.

I looked over my shoulder at Ryder's corpse. Dad, I finally avenged you, I thought, closing my eyes momentarily. Are you proud of me?

"You know he is," Miles said, and I realized I had uttered the words out loud.

I smiled fondly at my mate. Ryder's reign was over, and I was looking forward to the next chapter of our lives.