Page 136 of Brutal Reign
I smirk back at him, leaning over so I can reach into my back pocket for my chapstick. Uncapping the tube, I swipe it over my lips, rubbing them together.
“You can do this, River,” Dad murmurs as I re-cap the tube and slip it back into my pocket. “Not just because you’re my daughter, but because you’reyou.” He reaches for my hand again, lifting it and pressing a kiss to the back of my palm. “Now, rest up and get ready for tonight. Show that little prick why he should never mess with a Jacobsen.”
Jake is late.The rest of my pack is here, eager to witness this challenge for Alpha rank, but the man who declared it hasn’t even bothered to show his face. Pretty fuckin’ rude, if you ask me.
It’s probably too much to hope he just gave up and ran off– especially because his parents keep casting shifty glances toward the front door, like they’re expecting him to walk inat any moment. Cory stepped down from his position as our pack’s Beta shortly after Jake declared his challenge against me, probably in an attempt to save face since it was only a matter of time before my dad removed him. Dad chose a friend of my mom and aunt to fill in as interim Beta until I eventually ascend to Alpha rank and choose my own, and Davis has assumed the role like he was born for it.
It's just an added bonus that he’s my best friend’s dad.
Hayden has been glued to my side all night, much to Seb’s chagrin. Then again, the members of my pack have been keeping him busy with the way they’ve been swarming around him and Ace, introducing themselves and congratulating us on our mating. They were understandably surprised to find out I have two fated mates, but rather than balking at our unusual situation, they’ve embraced it as double the cause for celebration.
It's a shame I can’t relax and enjoy it with the challenge still hanging over my head. Jake should’ve been here half an hour ago, and the fact that he’s drawing this out only adds insult to injury. I glance over at my parents for what feels like the millionth time, and right as they smile back at me, I hear the front door of the packhouse swing open.
“Sorry I’m late,” Jake announces as he struts inside with an arrogant swagger.
I freeze at the sight of him, my breath catching and my pulse taking off at a gallop. Because while I fully expected to see Jake walk through that door, I definitelydidn’texpect Chandler Stetson to be on his arm.
“What’sshedoing here?” I snarl, my hackles raising. “She’s not part of this pack.”
“After tonight, she will be,” Jake quips, holding his head high and pulling Chandler in closer to his side. “I’ve chosen her as my mate, we just sealed our bond under the full moon.”
My mouth falls open on a silent gasp as my brain short-circuits.
I should’ve expected him to pull something like this.
Ace slides a hand up to the base of my neck, massaging my tense muscles as he leans in to murmur in my ear. “He’s just trying to rile you up, Riv. Don’t let him get in your head.”
Easier said than done.I’m completely blindsided by Chandler’s unwelcome presence in my family’s home, thrown off my game as I struggle to process what the hell is happening.
“I’ll need a Luna, right?” Jake remarks smugly, obviously getting off on my visceral reaction to his news. “Who better than one of the top new recruits for the squad?”
“You’re late,” Dad snaps, clearly just as over Jake’s bullshit as I am.
He swings his gaze over to my dad, paling slightly when their eyes meet. “I know, but I had good reason to be,” he replies, nodding to the blonde at his side.
As I watch their standoff, the pieces finally slot together in my brain, realization hitting me like a ton of bricks. Sealing mate bonds strengthens our wolves. Mine got stronger when I bonded with my boys, and in mating with Chandler, Jake just leveled the playing field.
Then again, he’s only got one bond. I’ve gottwo.
“Everyone’s anxious to run, so let’s get right to it,” Dad bites out, jerking his head in the direction of the back doors. “River, Jake, go warm up.”
My heart stutters in my chest, my mouth running dry. Seb and Ace immediately close in on either side of me, whispering quiet words of encouragement as they guide me toward the back of the packhouse.
“Give him hell, babygirl,” Ace coos as Seb pulls the door open and ushers me through, the chilly air smacking me in the face and resuscitating my constricted lungs.
“Remember, this isyourpack,yourbirthright,” Seb murmurs. “Show them how much you want it, prove to everyone that nobody will be able to take it away from you.”
I nod numbly as the three of us make our way across the lawn, shoring up my resolve. Jake tried to rattle me by bringing Chandler here tonight, but I won’t let him succeed. This ismyfight to win.
My mates each steal quick kisses, then I strip down and shift to my wolf, leaving them behind as I sprint off into the forest. Settling into my animal’s skin, I limber up with a quick jog while remaining all too aware of Jake’s presence nearby as he does his own warmup.
By the time I return to the packhouse ten minutes later, a crowd has formed on the back lawn, a wave of excitement rippling through them when they see my white wolf emerge from the treeline. As I’ve said before, nothing gets a crowd going quite like the promise of violence. The heady sense of anticipation is palpable as I stride confidently toward the center of the lawn, where Jake is already waiting and my pack has formed a large circle around him to spectate.
“Jake Decker has declared a challenge for Alpha rank, and my daughter has accepted,” Dad announces, his booming voice echoing as the crowd hushes. I step over to take my place across from Jake, my dad turning his head to meet my eyes as he adds, “May the best wolf win.”
‘I plan to,’ Jake sneers, his voice filtering into my head through the mind-link.
I ignore his jab, throwing up my mental barriers to block out any further taunts. Grinding my paws down into the dirt, I curl my lips in a snarl, showing him my fangs as a low growl rumbles from my chest.