Chapter Thirty

The packlands were eerily still as I emerged from the portal. No wind rustling the leaves, no kids playing in the streets. No guards racing to challenge us. The only sound was the harsh rasp of Jax's breath as he recovered from fighting the summons. Something was very wrong here. We needed to find Cole.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, looking around uneasily.

Jax recovered quickly, shoving himself to his feet with a pained groan. "We have to get to the moon circle," he said, his voice rough but urgent. "Whatever Cain's planning, it'll happen there. That's where the rest of the pack will be."

I wanted to ask what exactly he thought was happening, but one look at the tense set of his shoulders had the questions dying on my tongue. It wasn't like any empty reassurances could help me now, anyway. Instead I glanced at my mom, who was wandering slowly along the path, gazing vacantly around. I hurried to grab her hand, pulling her along as we set off after Jax.

He set a brutal pace through the empty town, his long strides eating up the ground. Doors on buildings swung open, interiors dark and abandoned. Items were strewn haphazardly outside some of the homes—a shoe here, a bag there, as if dropped in a frantic rush. Unease trickled down my spine. They'd all been hit with the pack summons. Ling had said an alpha challenge or an execution…but which was it?

Mom stumbled, her steps growing increasingly unsteady and confused. With my hands full keeping her moving, I couldn't press Jax for more details. It was probably for the best. We passed through a perimeter fence and the trees opened up to reveal the broad, circular clearing. My breath caught at the sight of the entire pack gathered, their bodies silhouetted by the late afternoon sun. Low rumbles echoed from the mass of shifters—some in human form, some wolf—as they focused on the standoff unfolding at the circle's center.

Cole stood tall and resolute, jaw clenched as he held himself with commanding poise. He was alive. But I didn't have time to feel the relief that was flooding through me at the sight. Because facing him was Cain, face contorted with fury and hatred. My heart stuttered in my chest at the violence leaking from him. An alpha challenge, then. A fight to the death.

I had to get to Cole.

I started forward but Jax grabbed my arm, halting me. "Wait," he said under his breath. "You can't interfere. I'll go."

Frustration boiled up inside me, but I swallowed it down and nodded. Sharing an anxious look with Ling, I watched helplessly as Jax slipped into the gathered shifters.

He moved easily through their masses—I don't think I'd really appreciated just how big the pack was until now—and arrived at Cole's side. A flicker of relief passed over Cole's face as his eyes locked onto his friend, and Jax spoke quickly in his ear. Cole's gaze swept over the gathered crowd, and then found me. I gave him a small, encouraging smile, and he dipped his chin in response.

And for a moment, just one moment, I believed that maybe things would be okay.

And then my eyes shifted right and landed on Cain. Everything about him screamed power, danger…and malice. I knew this fight was the last thing Cole wanted, but Cain looked like he relished the chance for violence. Any doubt I'd had that this was the right thing to do died right then. A pack this big, this strong, couldn't be under the control of a man like that. You know that Voltaire quote about power and responsibility? I don't think I ever really appreciated it until I understood exactly how much power one man could have…and how Cain had abused that responsibility.

I returned Cole's nod, just as Cain turned and roared to the crowd. Silence fell over them, and his every word carried clearly.

"My arrogant pup of a son has challenged me for the right to lead this pack." He swept his scowling sneer across the entirety of the gathered pack. "As is his right…and the right of anyone here who thinks they are better than me. So be it. I have been the alpha of this pack for fifty years and this is not the first challenge I've faced. I doubt it will be the last."

I shivered at his words, at his certainty that he would emerge the victor. He had so much experience…

"Enough talk. Prepare yourself, pup."

Cain pulled off his shirt, and it took a moment for the horrific realization to settle on me.

"They're going to fight in wolf form," I breathed. I should have known.

Cain's body contorted, bones snapping and reforming, until a massive black wolf stood before Cole, teeth bared and snarling. I shuddered, the imposing size and menace radiating off him chilling me to my core.

Cole shifted fluidly into his own wolf form. Smaller than his father but still bigger than almost any wolf I'd seen, he regarded Cain with cool eyes, muscles coiled and ready. His slate-gray fur stood on end, hackles raised in response to Cain's savage snarls.

For a long moment, the two wolves stared each other down, the pack silent around them. Then Cain lunged with deadly speed, going straight for Cole's throat. My own throat squeezed in panic—Cain was going straight for the kill—but Cole spun aside, jaws snapping down to narrowly miss Cain's shoulder.

They broke apart and circled each other, snarling as they sized each other up, looking for weaknesses. My heart pounded, hands clenched into helpless fists as I watched the vicious display.

Again Cain attacked, but Cole was ready this time. He met the charge head-on, the two wolves colliding brutally, a tangle of snapping teeth and slashing claws. Dust kicked up around them, obscuring the brief but savage clash until they broke apart again. My eyes ran over Cole frantically, but I couldn't see any sign of blood or injury. Cain was unhurt, too.

Cole's defensive style was clear as Cain threw himself forward a third time, and I bit down on my lip as Cole's snapping jaws fended off Cain's attack. He couldn't keep defending forever, not without getting badly hurt in the process. He needed a plan.

Cain circled, a growl rumbling deep in his chest. His hackles bristled, jaws parted just enough to expose deadly fangs. Black eyes watched Cole's every movement with predatory focus, waiting for an opening.

Cole turned with him, matching each step. With terrifying speed, Cain broke the circling pattern and lunged. Cole reared up to meet the charge, and their bodies collided with the crash of bone on bone. Dust rose around them as they spun and snapped, a snarling blur of dark fur and fangs. And then the coppery scent of blood hit the air.

They broke apart, sides heaving. Blood dripped from a gash on Cole's shoulder. My heart squeezed painfully at the sight. But his eyes remained sharp and focused, while Cain's were dark with fury at the failed attack. I stifled a gasp. Cole did have a plan. He was going to let Cain get himself more and more worked up, until his fury became recklessness and he gave him an opening. But it was a dangerous game to play with a bigger, more experienced wolf.

Cole darted in before Cain could recover, trying to capitalize on the moment. Cain scrambled back, barely avoiding the snapping jaws aimed at his neck. Cole gave chase, harrying him across the circle. The pack stirred, sensing the shift in power.

Cain spun with jaws agape. Cole sprang left just as the bigger wolf's razor fangs sliced the space where he'd been. Cain's momentum carried him past and Cole seized the opportunity, rear claws raking viciously across his father's ribs.

Cain's enraged roar split the night. He whipped around, maw closing on Cole's flank and shaking violently. Cole snarled, back legs kicking frantically until his weight dragged him free, a patch of fur left behind in Cain's teeth.

They broke apart, chests heaving. Fresh blood stained Cain's muzzle. But Cole stood firm, cold cunning shining in his amber eyes. Cain was all uncontrolled fury now. Cole would use that against him.

But he was hurt. There was no mistaking the unevenness to his gait—Cain had taken more than just fur from him in that last clash, and blood was flowing freely down his flank. And I wasn't the only one who could see it.

With an ear-splitting snarl, Cain hurtled toward him once more. Cole darted aside, but the injury slowed him and Cain's bulk smashed into him, sending him hurtling through the air and then smashing down to the dirt. Cain leapt after him, crashing onto his back and trapping Cole beneath all his crushing weight. Cole thrashed in the dust, struggling for leverage as black wolf's jaws closed around his throat. I choked back a scream, panic clawing up my throat. He was going to crush Cole's windpipe!

Somehow Cole got his rear paws braced under Cain's chest. With a mighty heave he kicked out, throwing Cain off him. Both wolves rolled clear, then found their feet, swaying and gasping.

Cole steadied himself on trembling legs, blood dripping from the fresh punctures in his throat. But defiance still burned in his amber eyes. He wasn't beaten yet. Please, don't let him be beaten.

Snarling, Cain circled him warily now. His own injuries were slowing him, and his frustration was clear in every movement. But his massive size still gave him the advantage over Cole's lighter, swifter frame.

Cole turned with him, his own movements slower than they had been at the start of the fight. Cain feinted left, then struck right. Cole spun, but not fast enough. The impact sent him skidding through the dirt, dazed. Cain pursued, looming over him for the kill. A scream bubbled up in my throat and then Cole surged up, clamping his jaws onto Cain's vulnerable underbelly. Cole thrashed his head violently, teeth tearing into flesh until Cain wrenched away with a pained roar.

Cole scrambled clear, spitting fur and blood from his muzzle. His breaths came in ragged pants but determination filled his eyes. Whatever he felt about wounding his father, he wasn't going to let it stop him.

Around them, the pack stirred restlessly. Cain was faltering, failing. Cole was matching him blow for blow, ready to bring the battle to its bloody conclusion.

Cain sensed it, too. Enraged, he rushed the younger wolf. Cole darted right, raking his teeth along Cain's side as he passed, and then retreated, forcing Cain to turn. Cole struck again from behind, aiming for the hamstring.

Cain collapsed with a yelp, right hind leg hanging limply. He twisted and lunged, but his injured bulk moved too slowly. Cole evaded the grasp of the deadly jaws once more.

Cain's fury mounted as Cole's hit and run attacks continued. He could scarcely put weight on his leg now, each step labored and clumsy. Blood left a scattered trail in his wake.

Just a little more. Cole's strength was waning too, but Cain was weakening faster. Cole circled for another strike at the crippled leg. Cain's jaws closed on empty air.

Desperation drove Cain to a final reckless charge. He leaped, crashing down on Cole from above. They tumbled across the blood-stained ground, a snarling tangle of fangs and claws.

Cole's agonized yip cut through the night. The wolves broke apart once more, both swaying unsteadily. A ragged slash ran down Cole's muzzle, dripping crimson into the dirt. But Cain looked barely able to stand.

Cole saw his chance. With his last dregs of strength he rushed Cain head-on. His teeth closed round Cain's throat, biting down viciously. Cole's full weight slammed into him, sending them both crashing down.

He would end it now, I was sure of it. It was over—Cain had nothing left in him.

Cole's teeth remained clamped round his father's throat. One savage twist would end Cain's life, ending his brutal reign over the pack. But after an agonizing moment, Cole released him. He took a single step back, chest heaving from exertion and adrenaline.

Slowly, Cole began to shift, fur receding to reveal bruised and bloodied skin. He forced himself to his feet and stared down at his father, standing tall despite his obvious pain.

"I've taken your pack and your pride," Cole said, his voice ragged but carrying clearly across the silent field. "I won't take your life as well."

There were murmurs and restless stirring among the pack at Cole's words. But Cain could only lay there, lacking even the strength to lift his head. His wolf form was broken, defeated.

I rushed to Cole's side, pride and relief flooding me. He leaned heavily on me but kept his feet, determined to face his father as the new alpha.

"Get the healer," Cole ordered. The shifters turned and searched amongst their ranks, and both Malik and Fletcher started forward.

Slowly, agonizingly, Cain began to shift back. It was clearly torture forcing his battered body to change shape. At last, the massive black wolf was gone, leaving a naked and ruined man crumpled on the ground. I wanted to feel pity for him. But when Cain lifted his head, the malevolence in his eyes froze any sympathy in me.

No. I wouldn't waste my sympathy on him. Cain had been a vicious, cruel man who'd inflicted untold pain on my mate throughout his whole life. He didn't deserve my pity. I turned my attention back where it belonged: my mate.

"I'm so glad you're safe," I murmured. "Don't ever do that to me again."

Movement flashed in the corner of my eye, and before I could even gasp, Cain lunged up with sudden, manic strength and grabbed me from behind, yanking me away from Cole. His arm pressed crushingly across my windpipe.

I choked, clawing uselessly at the iron band pinning me. Cain's other hand shifted into a deadly claw, the pointed tips digging into my vulnerable flesh. I froze, panic widening my eyes.

"You've taken everything from me," he hissed through bloodied teeth. "Now I'm going to take everything from you."

Cole's eyes met mine, filled with fear and fury. Then he moved. At the same time, I threw my whole weight back into Cain, sending him off balance. With lightning speed, Cole leapt and slashed with his own clawed hand. His razor-sharp nails ripped open Cain's throat in a spray of hot blood. Cain's grip on me vanished as he collapsed backward, gurgling wetly as he hit the ground. In seconds, the light left his eyes, his last breaths bubbling from the tattered ruin of his neck.

Cole pulled me into his arms, both of us shaking. Around us, the pack erupted into howls and cries at their fallen alpha and the new leader before them.

"It's over," Cole murmured, holding me close. "You're safe now."

"I'm so sorry," I whispered. "You had to kill him, because of me. You were going to let him live. Cole, I'm so sorry."

"I'm not," Cole said firmly, meeting my eyes. "My father made his choice. I will always protect you, princess. No regrets."

I leaned into him, overwhelmed with relief and love for this man. He was right—Cain had chosen his path a long time ago. Thanks to Cole, the pack stood a chance now.

Around us, the pack continued to howl and chant their new alpha's name. Cole straightened, wincing slightly, but stood tall and proud before them.

"My pack," he called out, and something about his voice changed as he spoke, alpha power infusing it as the pack's magic recognized him as its leader. "My friends. You were loyal to my father, long after he stopped being worthy of it. I will try to be worthy of your loyalty, and your trust. We've got a long journey ahead of us. A lot of damage to undo."

Low murmurings of agreement started up around the pack; some resentment, too, I thought. Not everyone had disagreed with Cain's actions. Cole would have to watch his back.

"I can't do it alone. I need you all, and," he turned to Jax, "I need you, Jax, as my beta. Will you accept?"

Jax nodded once and then dropped into a crouch, his head bowed. "I will."

"Then rise, Beta Jax."

Jax stood again, taking his place at Cole's shoulder.

"If any man or woman here challenges my right to lead," Cole said, staring out at the sea of faces, "say so now."

There was utter silence for a long moment, and then Jax threw his head back and howled. One by one the pack joined him, then dropped into crouches, bowing their heads, until only Jax, Cole, and I were left standing.

I reached out and squeezed his hand. We'd made it through the challenge. There would be a thousand things to worry about tomorrow. But for tonight, the danger was over, and we would celebrate.