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And as his next set of words fell from his lips, I knew I was screwed either way.
“The pack will always find their alpha, Miss Kennedy. Even if they have to come to you.”
3
DEAN
“Alpha?”
I shook my head as I turned around at Brody’s beckoning. “No need to call me that. I’m simply an interim alpha. You know this.”
He clasped his hands behind his back. “It still feels wrong to call you anything other than the role you’re assuming.”
I smiled. “It’s a title sort of thing. There’s no sense in getting the pack used to calling me ‘Alpha’ when someone else is about to come and take my place.”
But when Brody didn’t confirm or deny anything, I tilted my head.
“Right?” I asked.
He sighed, his shoulders slumping just a tad. “I still haven’t heard anything.”
I took a step toward him. “I thought Elias was supposed to speak with them this afternoon.”
“He was. I mean, he is. As far as I know, he’s still speaking with them.”
“So, they’re still in town?”
He shook his head. “In Portland, yes. But they haven’t stepped foot into Bend yet. I would’ve known, otherwise.”
Brody had the ability to sense things. It was like his mind was a barrier to the outside world for our pack. He could tell when someone came into, or left our territory.
Being Colin’s beta and right-hand wolf immediately dubbed me interim alpha once he had passed away. When I had assumed the position as interim alpha, Brody had taken over for me as beta. Colin’s passing was a surprise to all of us, which had made these transitions difficult. Even more so now with Colin’s will involved. This volleying of our late-alpha’s final wishes was getting tiresome. Elias had been vague on who Colin had stipulated as the new alpha of our pack, and I grew weary and tired of not having any information at my disposal to give to those around me who were still grieving the loss.
Colin had left a lasting impact upon our pack.
And my only hope was that he had deemed someone worthy of the position to take over.
Brody took a small step toward me. “If you need to take a run—”
I shook my head. “There’s still much to do before sundown.”
He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Go run with the Inner Circle for a little while. Get out of your head and into your body. Go blow off some steam. I can get dinner started for the pack.”
I eyed him carefully. “Are you sure?”
He chuckled. “Do you really think it’s difficult to throw a bonfire for this crew? I’ll be the one working the least to make it happen. Now, go. Seriously. Go right your mind for a little while. I’ll catch up in a bit.”
I had to admit, the idea of running with the Inner Circle for a little while sounded rejuvenating, both physically and mentally. The Inner Circle was my closest friends, and just so happened to be those that were the closest to our late alpha. So, I walked out onto the back porch of my chalet home and tilted my head toward the sky. I closed my eyes, commanding my wolf form to take hold, and as I shed my clothes so that they wouldn’t rip themselves away from my body, I let out a commanding howl that called the entire Inner Circle, minus Brody, to meet me at the edge of the woods.
Then, with one last look at Brody over my shoulder, I fell to all fours and leapt off the porch as my human body gave way to the soul within.
The strength of my muscles spurned me forward, but the guilt in my gut dug my claws into the fresh dirt pounding beneath my feet. I should’ve seen it coming. The attack that killed Colin. The Bear shifter clan that snuck up on us. I should’ve seen it all. I mean, what the fuck were my psychic powers for, if not to protect those around me?
I was the reason Colin died that night.
I was the reason why our pack was currently without an alpha.
And I deserved to be punished for that.
