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Orin shook his head. “This isn’t going to end well for you. It’s not arrogance to say males are stronger. It’s pure fact. Males are leaders. It’s always been that way and it always will be. To defy tradition and logic is to put your own people in danger. Even when you had so-called female leaders, you always hid behind a male. It proves you’re not a good fit for the job. After all, a true leader can lead on his own.”
Her dragon growled. I’m ready for him now.
Believe me, so am I. His arrogance will be his downfall.
She replied to Orin, “Times have changed, gentlemen. In this day and age, it takes more than brawn to keep a clan safe. Besides, females have been clever for centuries. We were afraid of being killed in times past for speaking our minds, but no longer.” She looked at each male in turn. “However, for the time being, our individual opinions don’t matter.” She opened a folder on the table and took out two documents. She handed them to each leader. “These are legally binding statements. You agree that if I win, you acknowledge my right to be leader and won’t attack on those grounds. If you do attack, the DDA will punish you accordingly.”
Padraig muttered, “Hiding behind the DDA is weak.”
“Sign, or forfeit and leave. It’s that simple.”
“I look forward to winning and sending my eldest son to take over your clan. I may even change the clan’s name since Glenlough sounds bloody stupid to me,” Orin stated.
Her dragon spoke up. As if Greenpeak is any better.
Pick your battles, dragon.
Teagan motioned toward the papers. “If you’re so cocky, then sign the papers. You’ll have nothing to lose if you win.”
She didn’t back down from the glares of the two males. They may not like that Teagan had come prepared, but that was their problem. With the Irish DDA on her side, she could maintain some semblance of peace if she won. Only a fool wouldn’t use every tool available.
Her dragon huffed. There’s no ‘if’ about us winning.
Cockiness is a sure path to failure.
There’s a balance between cockiness and confidence. We need that because if we don’t win, then a future with Aaron is uncertain.
Even if we’re banished, I’d still want him.
Let’s not allow it to come to that.
Once the two males finished reading and signing the papers, Teagan collected them. “With that done, you can relax here until the judges make their decisions.” She moved to the door, opened it, and motioned for the person waiting in the hall to enter.
Orla Kelly made her way inside and plopped down on a chair. She eyed the two leaders. “Even though I have a few more gray hairs than you two, make sure not to underestimate me.” She pointed a finger at Padraig. “Your father once tried to kiss me against my will. He earned a scar on his neck for that transgression.”
Padraig raised his brows. “That was you?”
“Aye, it was.” She extended a talon. “So no funny business.”
Teagan bit back a smile at the bewilderment in Padraig’s expression. She spoke to her gran, “If you need anything, Brenna is waiting in the hall.”
Orla leaned forward, never taking her gaze from Orin and Padraig. “
That’s right, laddies. Females were sent to be your guards. And don’t think for a second we’re going to cower and run away.”
Orin shook his head. “This just proves further how much Glenlough needs structure. The females are out of control.”
Orla took a small rock from one of her pockets and tossed it at Orin. It bounced off the top of his head. “That was just a small one. I have bigger ones waiting for your true arsehole self to come out.”
Teagan paused to see if Orin would lose control, but the male merely shrugged. “I’m not about to hurt an old female. But I do look forward to locking you up once I’m in charge.”
As her gran grunted and reached for another rock, Teagan decided she had things in hand. “An escort will come if the challenge is approved and we’re ready to begin.”
She exited the room and stopped next to Brenna. Even though the conference room was mostly soundproofed, she whispered, “Keep an ear out and maybe check on her every once in a while. She’s throwing rocks at them, and I’m not sure how long they’ll resist throwing them back.”
Brenna nodded. “Orla can usually take care of herself, but I’ll check on her in a few minutes.”
Teagan touched the Protector’s arm and walked down the hall. It was time to check in with Killian and wait. What happened next was in the hands of the judges.
