Page 68 of Fated to Her

His long dark hair hangs over one of his shoulders, and he flicks it back. “Rumors have been spreading that your son has challenged you, Alpha.”

Maverick nods while Eli growls at the man, and he quickly drops his gaze and sits.

“Yes, it’s true. Eli has challenged me for the title. It will be held in the arena on Friday unless Eli wants to revoke the challenge,” Maverick says.

“Not a chance,” Eli snaps at his father, who sighs before shaking his head.

“You dare challenge your own father?” Porter says, and I can tell he’s trying to push Eli’s buttons by the smug look on his face.

Before Eli can retort, though, Emery does. “Careful what you say, Porter, or I may just challenge your position.”

Porter scoffs at her threat. “You are a woman. No match for me, Emery. It would be an easy win.”

“Really? Set the time and the place, Porter. I’ll show you what an easy win is. I have dealt with men in my own pack a lot more intimidating than you. You wouldn’t last five seconds in the arena with my Beta.”

I hear a few murmurs between them, all staring at Emery like she is insane.

“Pack? You don’t have a pack.”

It’s Maverick who actually grows angry at his Beta. “Then accept the challenge. My daughter’s pack is five times the size of ours, and she could probably show me a thing or two,” Maverick says, and I notice all the women gazing at her in awe, making me smile.

Porter, though, looks outraged. “Female Alpha, pfft…”

“Well then, that’s settled, isn’t it, Father? I guess I’ll see you in the arena, then. I have no need for titles, as I already hold the highest one. But just to show you who the more dominant one is, I’ll gladly show you your place, which is below me, Porter. Challenge accepted.”

Porter, though, for all his confidence, turns to the Alpha. “Are you really going to let your own daughter challenge me?”

“Why? You’re not scared, are you, Porter?” Maverick asks him, and Porter scoffs again.

“No, I just don’t want to hurt a dainty little thing like Emery. But fine, if it stops all her shit-talking, I’ll gladly teach her a lesson,” Porter says, and Eli growls at him. Emery, however, looks unfazed.

I notice a few of the women keep staring, a little shocked at Emery’s challenge, when one of the women in the back puts up her hand, only for the man beside her to rip her hand back down. Emery notices and glares at him.

“Let her speak. She has every right to. She’s a pack member, is she not, Father?” Emery says, glancing at her father, who looks a little uncomfortable but nods, telling the girl to rise.

She looks young, around my age, but that means nothing. She timidly stands, glancing at the man beside her.

“Are you really an Alpha?” she asks Emery.

“Yes, I am. Women are equal where I come from.”

Clearly, some of the men in this pack don’t agree. Emery smiles at those who disagree.

“I’m sure some of the women here could show some of you men who holds the real power. Women are perceived as weak among this pack, but we are anything but. While you men hunt and protect, who do you think makes this pack work? None of you men would be able to handle the hours spent harvesting those fields and raising these children. While you run around looking for an invisible threat, the women are doing the real work. Don’t underestimate yourself, ladies. You are far more worthy of any title these men have,” Emery says.

“Alpha, this is absurd. She is putting ideas in our mates’ heads. Stop this nonsense. I will not be challenged by any mate of mine,” he says, glaring down at the woman beside him who cowers under his gaze.

“Sit down. Emery is right. Times have changed. I have seen it. Women are not beneath any of you, and it’s time things change. Anyone who disagrees is free to leave,” Maverick tells them, his eyes scanning the crowd, yet no one says anything.

Emery folds her arms across her chest, a smug smile on her lips, and I can’t help but smile at her. Everyone hangs around the gathering spot for an hour or so before they retire to bed. A few women approach Emery excitedly, and Maverick sighs, making me look at him.

“Things need to change,” I hear him mutter to himself.

“Some things don’t, though, proving my point. You can be such a hypocrite,” Eli says, also hearing his father.

“Son?” Maverick asks, turning slightly to face him.

“None of these women have any say among the pack. I wonder how they would feel knowing Mom held all the power, and you were at her beck and call. They just didn’t realize it.”