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“And the child?”
Eli smiled, satisfied. “The sensory room will reveal all.”
CHAPTER1
Margo
The sharp springair made me shiver. I shoved my good hand deeper into my pocket as I made my way over to Dorian’s house. My cast would be removed soon; I couldn’t wait to be rid of it. Dad was already on pack land, working on plans for landscaping the entire garden. Even if I was roped into helping him, I’d still end up hanging out with Dorian and Victor.
Once I arrived, my gaze was immediately drawn to the alpha. His sleeves rolled up, shovel in hand, he stood in the centre of activity, barking orders. A group of teens and adults alike had been set to task, taking care of the grunt work. Dad noticed my approach and waved. The satisfied, good-humoured look on his face only appeared when he worked with dirt. He beckoned me over, so I knew I was in for it, too.
As I skirted past some of the pack members, I noted their reactions. Victor nodded at me while heaving a heavy sack of fertiliser out of my path. Alison granted me a small, wary smile while others almost imperceptibly moved out of my way. They were never cruel or rude to me, but some of the pack were still scared of me and what I could do. It helped that I hadn’t used my harbinger power in a while, but even still, I made them uneasy.
Footsteps raced behind me. I turned in time to see Dorian right before he gathered his arms around me. I wriggled out of his mucky grasp, an odd feeling running down my spine. Over Dorian’s shoulder, I spotted a man with a determined stride head straight for Byron. Tension worked in his jaw, and one by one, each pack member he walked by stopped what they were doing to stare.
I brushed Dorian aside to get a better look. “Is something going on?” I wasn’t sensing death, but the atmosphere had changed.
Dorian glanced behind him. “Jorge,” he breathed. “He’s Pavel’s brother, remember?”
I reflexively touched my cast. How could I forget? Jorge had helped protect my family from his brother who had then been exiled from the main pack.
“I thought Pavel's family left with him to go to Byron’s son’s pack,” I whispered.
“Jorge stayed.” Dorian rubbed his cheek, leaving a streak of dirt behind. “He’s been in a bad mood for weeks. I suppose it’s time now.”
“Time for what?”
Dorian reached for my hand as if for comfort. Everyone seemed nervous, except Dad, who looked as confused as I felt.
Byron set down the shovel then faced Jorge. “Jorge,” he said in a calm, even tone. “Is there something you need?”
Jorge took a deep breath. A young woman took a step towards him, but he shook his head at her then smacked his fist against his chest.
“Don’t,” she pleaded.
“Quiet, Cecilia,” Byron said. “Let him speak.”
Jorge almost ducked his head in submission then shook himself off. “I challenge you, Alpha. If I rule, my family can return. Will you accept my challenge?”
I swallowed a gasp. What the hell?
Dorian squeezed my hand, moving ahead of me. I glanced around to see how everyone else was reacting. Cecilia shook her head in disgust then turned her back. Victor was trembling. Alison was biting her fingernails. Ryan moved closer to Byron, his demeanour tense. Most of the pack now looked interested rather than nervous. I exchanged a glance with Dad who shrugged, unsure of what to expect.
“That’s fair,” Byron said. “In what manner do you request?”
I didn’t understand the question until Jorge said, “As a wolf.”
“Ryan,” Byron said. “Prepare the area. In ten minutes, a challenge will begin. Jorge, do you need a second?”
Jorge shook his head, his entire body trembling. His fingers flexed into fists.
“Then neither do I.” Byron smiled warmly. “I’ll see you shortly, Jorge.”
He turned his back on Jorge then strode towards his own house. How was he so calm?
Jorge licked his lower lip, his dark eyes unreadable as he watched Byron leave. He finally turned then walked in the opposite direction.
I tugged on Dorian’s hand. “What’s going to happen now?”
