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Kiefer released him and went to their Alpha’s bedside. “Hey, Mathias. I’m here.”
The old man opened his eyes, his smile spreading when looked up at Zeke and Kiefer. His deep voice rattled with age. “I should have named a new second after we lost Kyle, but I was too focused on finding the hunters.”
Lillian crossed to my side. Her expression didn’t require words. She was relieved.
Zeke had seemed convinced Mathias would pick Kiefer, but if that was true, why ask Zeke to be present, too?
As if he’d heard my silent question, Mathias said, “I want Zeke to be my second.”
I blinked at the unexpected revelation.
“This is bullshit.” Kiefer frowned. “Are you saying I’m not as good as my brother?”
“No. Not at all.”
Zeke had his back to me so I couldn’t see his face, but judging by the way his shoulders tensed, I wasn’t sure he’d accept the role.
Mathias struggled to pull himself up in the bed. “If we’re going to find the hunters and the witches I assume are paying them, we need someone who will be led by his mind, not his heart.”
Lillian caught my hand and tipped her head toward the door. I followed her out, giving the wolves some privacy. We went down the stairs and back out to my car. I kept my eyes forward, striding right past the two hulking werewolves on the porch.
Once we were outside, I realized we left her crystals behind. I looked up at the window. “We forgot your healing tools.”
“I’ll send for them later.” She met my eyes. “We have to gather the coven.”
CHAPTER 4
Zeke
“Is this yourdoing, Zeke?” Kiefer growled. He pointed across the bed at me. “You waited until he was weak to make your move?”
“Fuck you,” I snapped. “I’m just as surprised as you are.”
I wasn’t even sure I ever wanted to be the Alpha.
Mathias clasped our forearms in each of his hands. His grip was strong for a bedridden ninety-year-old werewolf. He looked at Kiefer first. “When I chose your brother, I thought we needed someone aggressive to defend the pack, but the hunters took him anyway.” He turned to me. “Now I know we need cunning to defeat this enemy.”
I squeezed my Alpha’s arm. “Weneedour Alpha. You’ll heal up, and then we’ll get them.”
He shook his head slowly. “I will heal, but I won’t be the Alpha anymore.”
My eyebrows shot up. “What?”
Alphas were our leaders for life.
He tightened his hold, looking at each of us. “I’m stepping down. As soon as I can stand up, we’ll have the ceremony. Zeke will ascend.”
Kiefer jerked his arm free. “That’s not how this works. Tradition says we fight to the death.”
I bristled. I didn’t want to hurt Kiefer, but if he attacked me, I sure as hell would beat the ever-loving shit out of him. He was a vicious fighter, but he was also a punch first and strategize later kind of guy. I could wear him down, and then take him out.
But I’dneverkill him.
Mathias sighed. “Tradition says my eldest son would ascend to Alpha, but I have no sons. We can’t afford to fight among ourselves with our enemies so close by. Tradition means nothing if they slaughter us first.”
Kiefer’s gaze lifted to my face. “You’re my pack brother, but you’ll never be my Alpha.”
“Has anyone in this room asked me if Iwantto be Alpha?” I slid my arm free from Mathias’s grip.
