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Jealousy flared in my gut. I clenched my jaw and looked away, not wanting her to see my reaction, but as I caught sight of my face in the mirror, I knew that was wishful thinking. My brows were pinched, my lips twisted in a scowl, and my eyes blazed with anger.
I took a breath, focusing on my reps, already missing Jessica. Lunch was just as lonely. I sat by myself, picking at my food, feeling as if all eyes were on me, whispering about what I’d done or why I shouldn’t be here.
Still, I sat tall. Just because they saw me as a threat and wanted me gone didn’t mean I was going to roll over and die. If anything, I had even more reason now to prove myself. There were only eight of us remaining. It was time to step up my game and show everyone I deserved to win.
Class was fairly interesting, the history of pack territories through the centuries. Maps were pulled out as we studied the progression and development of the North American packs. About halfway through class, Brooklyn moved to join me once the lecture portion was finished.
“It’s got to be hard for you without Jessica,” she observed with a sympathetic smile. “I’m going to miss her too.”
I nodded. “Yeah, we made it far with our little alliance, didn’t we?” I offered her a small smile, remembering her suggestion from our first day here. Had that really only been a couple of weeks ago? It felt like so much longer. So much had happened.
Brooklyn ended up sitting with me at dinner, too, which was better than sitting alone since Holden was too busy to dine with us. She carried the conversation, and for once, I was grateful for her constant chatter. She wasn’t Jessica, but she was kind and wasn’t treating me like an outcast. Unlike Sydnee, who, after breakfast had begun pretending I didn’t even exist.
Midway through dinner, Holden appeared in the doorway. His gaze locked on mine, and he gestured for me to come to him. I excused myself from the table and hurried over.
“Hey,” he said, taking me by the elbow, leading me out, and striding down the hallway.
“What’s going on?” His mouth was a flat line, his jaw ticking, a clear sign something was up. His pace was clipped as he led me up the stairs. “Where are we going?”
“Up to the offices. We’ve received word that Branson has set up a meeting with two other alphas. He’s gathering those to him who might not be completely on board with me taking over. While most of the alphas are on my side, a few have expressed concern with me in the past and have issued more challenges than others. These he’s meeting with are two of them.”
“What’s this meeting about?”
“We don’t know for sure,” he said. “But our source and my previous experience with them makes me believe they’re unsure of my ability to maintain peace between the packs.”
I shook my head as we reached the fourth floor. “That’s exactly what Branson is instigating, though.”
“I know,” he said grimly. “This is why we have to intervene.” He led me to an intricate double door and opened it, gesturing for me to go first.
“I don’t understand what this has to do with me.”
Bridger stepped up to me as I walked through the door. “We want you to negotiate peace with Branson.”
I halted, blinking in confusion at the older version of Holden.Negotiate with Branson? Me?
Holden swept in behind me, placing his hand on my lower back and ushering me further into the office and toward a set of rich leather couches surrounding an antique coffee table. Garrett and David were there too, and I was reminded of the day I was brought here and how intimidating their presence in my cell was.
Now they were bringing me into their midst, wanting me to work with them. It didn’t make sense.
“Here, have a seat,” Holden said. “We think the best shot of getting Branson to listen to us is having it come from you. So far, he’s shut down any talks without hearing us out. But you, Kayden. You come from the pack, know their politics, and have witnessed firsthand how Branson operates.”
I shook my head, already seeing the flaw in his plan, but he wasn’t finished.
“You’re intelligent and rational, a natural leader. I’ve seen it myself how you’re able to get others to rally around you, even those you wouldn’t call your friends. This is the perfect opportunity for you to attest to Branson about my abilities as a leader and alpha. Even you are an example—of how I can show mercy and strength when making difficult decisions.”
Was he serious? He really thought Branson would listen to me, of all people?
“Holden, I—”
“This will also be the perfect opportunity to prove yourself, Ms. Johnson,” Bridger broke in smoothly, his gaze trained on me. “After what happened with your interference in a duel, people are questioning your ability to listen and follow orders.”
People? What people was he referring to? I jerked my gaze to Holden, who was watching me with an unreadable expression.
“An alpha’s wife must be level-headed,” Bridger continued. “You acted rashly and without forethought when jumping into that duel, even if Madison was breaking the rules. If you wish to continue to the end of the Contention and have a real chance of standing at my son’s side, you’ll have to show us you can behave accordingly. This is your chance to prove you aren’t a poor choice for a wife.”
I sucked in a breath, his sharp words stinging. I glanced at Holden again, but he didn’t say anything. Is that what he thought, too? Did I need to prove my worth to him as well?
Anger flooded my veins. After the tender night and morning we’d shared, this felt like it was coming out of nowhere for him to challenge me like this.
