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Kessa’s golden wolf charged straight towards the table where Garrett and the women had been seated, but Garrett had already shifted and should have moved around to the far side of the room to observe.
In an instant, Reagan sprang into action, shouting out orders to the other three women at her table before shifting and bracing for the attack.
The room was a mass chaos as wolves engaged in battle. I remained in human form, moving further back, watching as the fight unfolded. I was making mental notes of how the contestants were handling this unexpected turn of events.
A large golden wolf appeared at my side. Garrett. He nudged me with his muzzle, sniffing me.
“You’re supposed to be paying attention,” I scolded him, but when he brushed up against my side, I ran my fingers through his silky fur, shaking my head. “Guess I shouldn’t have counted on you following the rules, huh?” He made a huffing sound that I interpreted as a laugh.
Within minutes, the battle came to an end, the ten attacking wolves surrendering. Reagan had done an excellent job, taking the lead and looking out for the other contestants, working as a team to help subdue the attackers.
There was a flurry of activity as wolves shifted back, and medics worked their way around the room tending to any injuries, though they were all minor.
“Well, that went well.” Garrett rejoined me, having moved away long enough to shift back and put his pants and shirt back on, though he hadn’t bothered to button it up.
“Reagan was awesome,” I admitted.
I felt his eyes on me, but I kept my gaze focused on where Holden was speaking with the contestants, congratulating them on a job well done.
“I told her today that I thought she’d be great in the PR position,” I said softly. “And I meant it. You should choose her, Garrett. And after the way she just took charge, she deserves the VIP treatment.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, and when I turned to look at him, there was a sadness in his eyes that made my throat burn and my eyes sting. Did he know how hard it was for me to admit that? That voicing my opinion on who he should choose for his mate felt like I was sealing my own fate? That I died a little on the inside knowing I could never have him—not the way I wanted to.
He cleared his throat, bending to place a soft kiss on my cheek. “I appreciate your opinion, Jess. I really do, even if it doesn’t always seem that way, and I often just do my own thing."
I gave him a half-hearted smile and nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Then he was gone, striding across the room to join Holden and the girls, smiling down at Reagan and placing a hand on the small of her back.
I watched, my heart aching, wondering how I would ever come to terms with seeing him with another woman. But still knowing I would always treasure the time we’d had together, even if it would never be enough.
21
GARRETT
“What’s going on?” I asked, striding into Holden’s office. The sun wasn’t even up, yet I’d been woken by a soldier telling me I was needed immediately. Already, the room was crowded with nearly a dozen other shifters.
“We have an issue.”
I turned toward the voice, surprised to see it was the dude Jessica had taken out a couple of nights ago. Ryker. My hands balled into fists at the sight of him. Was he privy to information I wasn’t? What the fuck? And why the hell was I the last one joining this party?
I jerked my gaze back to Holden, waiting for him to speak, but he nodded at Ryker. “There have been a number of threats against Amelia—the new female alpha.”
“Yeah, I know who she is.” I narrowed my eyes, beyond frustrated that I’d been kept from my duties for nearly a month now. I should be the one giving a briefing here. “What kind of threats?”
Again, I looked to Holden, and again, Ryker spoke instead. “There are some who would prefer not to see a woman in her position. Who would challenge her authority given the chance.”
A ball of ice formed in the pit of my stomach. Amelia hadn’t been back on her pack lands for long, and she was already facing potential challenges. That wasn’t a good sign. Not that we hadn’t expected some resistance, but this was a good reminder that the Contention would hopefully help usher in the change that was so desperately needed.
“That’s unacceptable,” I said then asked Holden, “Have you spoken with her?”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yes, less than an hour ago. My hands have been tied so far. There’s nothing I can do if someone wants to challenge an alpha. You know as well as I do that we don’t give special protection. But I feel she’s being targeted specifically because she’s a woman.”
“And now things have gone too far.” Ryker again. My temper flared that he was in on something I wasn’t aware of—that anyone was. I was the fucking beta, yet I’d been relegated to the life of a playboy these past weeks. It didn’t sit well with me. “Two wolves from another pack entered Amelia’s territory and attacked two females. They were younger girls, not even out of their teens. While they’re okay, the attackers left a message.”
“What can I do?” I asked Holden. “I won’t sit by.”
He nodded. “I figured you were going to say that.”
“Damn right.” I’d been kept from my job for too long now. It was driving me crazy. I wouldn’t be sidelined on something this important. “We need to get a team out there to visit Amelia in person.”
