Prologue

The sounds of waves crashed against the endless sands of the West Coast Pack’s personal beach. The silvery light from the full moon illuminated the vast stretch of sand as the pack came together for their monthly run. A wolf as pure white as the moon led the pack as his monstrous paws dug into the sand, and it parted the shallow waters. At the end of the beach, there was a rock formation that kept their territory private from human eyes. Though humans knew of the existence of Shifters, it was safer for them to not have access to the pack during their runs or hunts. The formation’s curve declined until it reached the forest floor where the wolves could continue their run.

Ryker Simmons was the Alpha of the West Coast Pack and the Western Sanction. He was known to be a fair and just Alpha, at least when he was in his human form. Rainer, his wolf, was another story. Pure white and powerful, Rainer was often compared to the moon. His wrath was as strong as the tides, and one only hoped they were not pulled under for it meant their death. Between Ryker and Rainer, the Alpha position was well secured.

Alpha of a Sanction meant royalty inside of the world of Shifters. It was the highest and most powerful position to be in. Especially since there was not an Alpha that controlled all five sanctions. With this title, it meant not only control of the largest pack within the sanction, but all packs within the sanction. Most males would dream to take over their Alpha so they could have the title and power. Each wolf is born with a certain dominance level. They could train as their human and wolf halves to become stronger. The Sanction Alpha’s power was inherited, and it was rare to be more powerful than the Sanction Alpha line.

That did not stop countless wolves from trying to challenge Ryker for the position, though.

Ryker had his coronation at the age of twenty. His father, Ryan, felt as though his son was ready for the responsibilities of Alpha after being trained and groomed since Ryker was young. After Ryan retired from being Alpha, he decided to travel around to see the world. Ryker was happy for his father and thought he deserved this break. However, that left Ryker without a strong ally within his own pack. Within two years, Ryker was challenged for his title a dozen times, but after each challenge, Rainer became more lethal than before. The Western Sanction gave Ryker the name The Big Bad Wolf.

Tyson Barons, the Beta of the West Coast pack, grew jealous of Ryker’s fame and even the adoration of the pack. Tyson felt as though he was just as strong and capable of running the pack as Ryker. Wolves challenged Tyson fairly often, and he had won every fight as well. The difference between the two of them? Ryker was recognized for his wins, and Tyson was not. This only made Tyson’s hatred for Ryker grow.

After Ryker led a Full Moon run, Tyson could not hold in his anger any longer. When the pack had finished their run and reached the beach once more, Tyson made his move.

“I, Tyson Barons, Beta of the West Coast Pack, challenge you for Alpha of the West Coast Pack and Western Sanction.”

Ryker stopped in his tracks as he walked toward his beach cabin and turned toward his Beta. His dirty blond hair appeared to be more brunette under the moon’s light, and his navy-blue eyes switched on and off to Rainer’s gold.

“You are kidding, right?” Ryker asked him in a light tone, hoping that his Beta was in fact kidding.

Tyson growled, “I am not.”

“Why would you challenge me? Here I thought we were friends, allies even.”

“I have grown tired of your arrogance. You think you are unbeatable. This pack deserves a better leader than that.”

Ryker shook his head and then looked around at his pack. Everyone had their mouths hanging open, just as surprised as him. “Okay, you leave me no choice since you decided to announce this in a very public way. I, Ryker Simmons, Alpha of the West Coast Pack and Western Sanction, accept your challenge.”

The pack formed a circle around them. Ryker had pulled on a pair of gym shorts after he shifted back once the run was over. He was thankful for that now, so he was not fighting Tyson naked. Tyson had done the same. Within the area the pack formed, the two of them circled each other in defensive stances. Ryker’s six-foot two frame had two inches on Tyson. As Ryker sized his Beta up, he also noticed that he had more muscle than his Beta as well.

Ryker had trained with Tyson throughout his life and was unsure of why Tyson would want this to happen. Due to their training, Ryker would know all of his fighting styles and combinations. Tyson was proving that by starting off this fight the same way he always started their sparring matches; trying to seem patient and wait for Ryker to make the first move.

This may not end well.

However, Tyson surprised Ryker by lunging and throwing a right hook. Ryker easily blocked him and then jabbed Tyson in his chest with his left. Tyson then did a left hook and a right jab combination, which Ryker blocked the first but not the second. Both of them threw their combinations and landed one here and there. Each one was on the body and did not cause too much damage. Tyson switched it up by adding attacks to Ryker’s legs and even some kicks. On one of Tyson’s punches toward Ryker’s knee, Ryker used his elbow to connect with Tyson’s jaw. He heard a pop and knew that he dislocated Tyson’s jaw. Tyson tried to connect a punch to Ryker’s crotch, but Ryker lifted his knee and connected to Tyson’s nose. The crunch told him that Tyson’s nose was certainly broken. Blood gushed onto the sand.

End this now. Before I force a shift to make this pup pay for the disrespect he has shown us for this challenge, Rainer snarled inside of Ryker’s head.

Rainer was not wrong. Tyson had disrespected Ryker with this challenge. He should have never made it so public after a Full Moon run.

Seems like everyone is disrespectful these days. This is number thirteen for challenges since I have become Alpha. Does no one think I can run this pack?

Ryker put more force than he had been into a kick that connected on Tyson’s chest as he was bent over tending to his nose. Tyson spun upward from the kick and landed on his back. Ryker jumped onto his torso, wrapped his hand around Tyson’s neck, and squeezed.

“Yield,” Ryker commanded, wanting this challenge over with.

Tyson attempted to squirm underneath Ryker to escape, but it was no use. Tyson then lifted a hand and tapped it onto the sand. Ryker stood up and looked around at his pack.

“I have become tired and enraged that I have had to accept thirteen challenges since I have become Alpha. Does no one have faith within me?” No one answered. Many even looked at the sand instead of looking at him. “Since it seems as though many do not want me as the Alpha, even though I have not given anyone a reason to feel as though I am not fit for this title, I renounce my position within the West Coast Pack and Western Sanction.”

Ryker felt the bonds within him that tied him to every pack and wolf within the Sanction break in half. There was no pain with this act for it was his choice. He looked around at the pack and every one of them had their mouths hanging over. Before anyone could protest, Ryker said his final words.

“Good luck with your future Alpha. I hope you all are happier under his rule than mine.”

Ryker then shifted into Rainer. Once all four of his paws hit the sand, Rainer snarled at the pack. Tyson was sitting on the sand, looking at Rainer in disbelief. Rainer bared his teeth at him and then dug his paws into the sand as he projected himself forward. The pack parted to allow him through.

Where to?

The Rogue lands in between pack lines. We will make ourselves a home there.

Now we can relax. No more challenges for our title.

That is the plan.