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Mouthing the words for practice first, I then turn to my wand. With one finger, I trace the innermost swirl of the diagram, wiping away the chalk as I speak the spell, moving outward until I reach the large circle that surrounds everything.
I erase the line, starting in front of me and moving widdershins around the circle. The vibration increases in strength until my finger ends at the starting point, and an inner click rings through me, like a key sliding into a lock.
Reverently, I lift my wand, and a tug comes from inside me, followed by a fizzy-bubbles sensation.
Aspen gives me a proud smile. “That’s perfect, Rowe. Well done. How does it feel?”
Like I might float away. “It’s magic—”
“Owen Hartford!” The shout cracks through the air, casting me back to earth. “I, Bruce Becker, challenge you for the right to be Alpha of Hartford Cove!”
THE CHALLENGE
The shout comes again. “Come outside, Owen Hartford, and face my challenge!”
I tuck my wand into the large pocket on the front of my sweatshirt, then scramble to my feet. Aspen and Owen rise easily, and we hurry over to the railing that overlooks our driveway.
The sight below makes my breath catch.
Dozens of people fill our driveway, most of them young men, though I spot Horace from the town council down there as well. A large man stands at the front, his hands cupped around his mouth as he yells at our house.
The crunch of gravel draws my focus farther down the driveway, where Haut’s SUV races up the hill.
“Dammit,” Owen swears and pushes away from the railing, running for the hatch in the roof. “He’s just going to make it worse.”
I look from him to the mob below and swing a leg over the railing.
Aspen catches my arm, his eyes wide. “What are you doing?”
“Taking the direct route.” I shake him off, climb over, and slide down to the overhang.
There, I grasp the edge and drop to the porch roof.
Below, Haut’s SUV slams to a stop in front of the crowd, and he climbs out. Even from here, I can feel the rage boiling off him. If he were still Alpha, the men laying siege to our castle would already have tucked tail and run for the hills.
I scoot down to the edge of the roof and dangle off, my feet reaching for the porch railing. As soon as my shoes find purchase, I release the roof and push sideways, hopping from the rail to the ground in front of the bushes.
A few more trips down from the roof, and I’ll have my route perfected.
“What are you all doing on my property?” Haut growls, pacing toward the intruders.
A few step back in fear, but not Bruce the Mighty Challenger.
No, he pulls back his beefy shoulders and juts out his chin. “What you refuse to do. Our town is being attacked, and we need a real Alpha in charge. If you’re not willing to take control, then I will.”
Aspen drops to the ground beside me, making me jump. “So much for suppressing instinct and the Alpha being a figurehead.”
My hands curl into fists. “Even dogs bite when backed into corners.”
Bruce’s gray eyes jump to me, and his lip curls back. “Who are you calling a dog, little girl?”
I step forward. “Who are you calling little girl, mutt?”
“Stay out of this, Rowe.” Haut moves to stand between us. “Go home, Bruce, before I remind you of your place in this town.”
“What’s his place?” I whisper, not recognizing the man from my daily rounds. “Does he haul lumber or something?”
“Stay out of pack business, little girl,” Bruce snarls. “And my place is about to get an upgrade.”
