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“There has to be another way,” I insisted.
Holden sighed. “I understand your hesitation. Truly, I do. And I’m open to other options, but right now, I’m not seeing a better way to appease the alphas and get them on board. If you have a better idea, let’s hear it.”
I leaned back. At least he was listening. The problem was, I could see this working. It was a good solution. Just not for me. “Well, like I mentioned before, someone else could do it. Someone high within our ranks with a lot of influence—like Cal or Jax.”
Holden frowned. “But they aren’t you. You saw for yourself how everyone perked up at the idea of a woman from their pack being mated to the beta. It’s you they want.”
I raked a hand through my hair in frustration. “Why does there have to be a Contention at all? If it’s power they’re after, why not create more council positions?”
Holden nodded thoughtfully. “It’s an option. But do you really think it would be enough? Status and power come with rank. And besides me, no one ranks higher than you.”
“Maybe it would be enough,” I said, though even I wasn’t convinced.
He was right, and I hated it. Of all the solutions, a Contention seemed the most obvious. The best path to secure support. But I wasn’t prepared to admit that.
I wracked my brain for an alternate solution, but I came up blank. I’d seen how the alphas’ demeanors had shifted once the idea had been presented. Even Markus—the most difficult alpha of all, who thought he knew better than everyone—had started to come around. I couldn’t ignore that.
“I’m not going to force you into this, Garrett,” Holden finally said. “But I know the pack comes first to you. Just as it does for me. For years we’ve discussed how we want to unify the packs and create a peaceful future. I simply don’t see a better option.”
Neither did I.
“And look…” he added “… it’s not uncommon for shifters in high-ranking positions to take a mate for purely political reasons. You could always be mates in name only if you were to find someone else at some point in the future.”
I looked up sharply. “You know me better than that.”
Honor was important to me. I would never take a mistress; it simply wasn’t who I was. Holden was the same. We lived by honor and duty.
Holden sighed. “I do. But you’re making assumptions before you’ve even met the women. This will be different from my Contention. As the submissions come in, you’ll have a say in who the finalists are. It’s not like it’s entirely out of your hands. And who knows? You just might find someone willing to love you despite your shitty attitude.”
He grinned, and I had to laugh at that, even if I didn’t truly believe it. Holden and his father had both found true love in their Contentions. The likelihood of it happening again to me wasn’t great.
“Please, Garrett.”
I stared at my best friend, who was practically my brother, my chest tightening painfully as I accepted what I had to do.
“Okay. I’ll do it.” I forced a smile. “But you owe me for this.”
“It will be worth it. I promise.”
* * *
My phone pinged,and I glanced at the screen to see a text notification from Jessica.
I have more applications for you to review. When would be a good time to meet?
I stared at the message. A week had passed since she first sent out the notices, and applications had started flooding in almost immediately. Each time she received a new one, she sent it my way. And each time, she’d requested to meet and discuss the applicants.
So far, I’d put her off, telling her I was busy and that we could review them together once I had time. But that was simply an excuse I’d used to avoid reality.
I picked up my phone, trying to come up with a good excuse, but she sent another text before I could think of anything.
They’re really piling up, Garrett. If we don’t start reviewing them, we’ll run out of time, and I’ll have to select the women myself.
I ground my teeth together.
Fine. I have some time now.
Her response came immediately.
