The other GPA students had slowly migrated to our side, along with most of my father’s betas and a solid chunk of the people who had come to watch. Having the support of the pack was humbling.
“You lead us at school, Remy,” Ainsley told me as Kyle, Konnor, and Will stood behind her. “We trust you.”
“And we’re sorry about your dad,” Kyle added.
His twin nodded in agreement. “He’ll pull through, man.”
I nodded back instinctively. The alternative wasn’t even an option I would entertain.
Michael approached from the side, giving me a tight smile. “Remy.” He glanced at his watch. “You need to get ready.”
“Yeah.” I pulled my shirt over my head, barely pausing before I kicked off my shoes and jerked down my jeans.
Katy and Larkin dropped their eyes; neither had any interest in seeing me naked. Ainsley whirled around when I growled at her curious gaze and finished stripping.
I didn’t really give a shit about shifting in front of my pack, and a year earlier I wouldn’t have cared that she was checking me out, but all of that changed with Skye.
My body wasn’t mine now; it was hers. She owned every part of my anatomy from skin to soul, and my wolf took offense to someone looking at what belonged to my mate.
Usually males and females separated when they took off their clothes to avoid mates getting territorial over wandering eyes, but the rules of the challenge stated that both parties had to shift in front of the pack so there was no denying or hiding who was fighting.
Unlike humans who came in a variety of shapes, colors, and details that could be changed and altered, wolf coats were only so many variances of so many colors. The rule was put in place generations earlier when an Alpha, who had been injured days before his fight, convinced his brother to take his place so he wouldn’t lose his place as Alpha when challenged. Their coats were identical and his brother won.
But the joke was on the Alpha when his brother shifted after his win and declared he had been fighting for his brother in challenges all along.
After that it happened with more frequency as families tried to usurp and protect each other indiscriminately. After years of this, the Council ruled on the issue and made it a Pack Law that both participants shifted in front of whomever was watching.
Shifting only took a few seconds, the snapping and ripping of my bones and muscles heating my blood as they reformed until my wolf form was all that remained.
It was instinct to reach out for Skye as soon as my paws landed on the soft earth.
The deafening silence that greeted us was crushing.
I funneled that pain into fury as I watched Lodge shift.
Katy moved in front of me, kneeling until she was eye level with me.
“Kick his ass, Remy,” she ordered. “If Skye comes back and finds out you lost to Lodge, she’ll be pissed.”
I snorted as Katy flashed me a grin and gathered my discarded clothes. She turned and tucked them beneath a large pine tree.
Michael moved to the center of the clearing, motioning for Lodge and I to move into the challenge area.
“William Lodge issued a challenge to Remington Holt for Alpha of the Blackwater pack. If either party wishes to withdraw, now is the time to do so. Withdrawal means an automatic forfeit.” Michael looked from me to Lodge.
Neither of us moved to step away.
With a nod, Michael continued, “Both parties will fight until submission or death. The victor will be declared Alpha of our pack.”
He gave me one last look and stepped back to the outskirts with the rest of the crowd.
Lodge stood ten feet away from me. His massive body easily had fifteen pounds on me, but it was aged muscle. All mass and no definition. He might have been heavier, but I was willing to bet I had more endurance and speed than he did.
And, judging by the dangerous growl rumbling from my chest, he didn’t have the rage my wolf did.
His gray ears flicked back and forth, his pale eyes narrowed as he watched me.
I kept still, not moving, not giving anything away. He would have to make the first move.
His initial lunge almost caught me by surprise.
I had misjudged how fast he could move, but I was still able to spin around before his teeth made contact with my shoulder.