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“Get in the car, Valen,” I tell him, not taking my eyes off my father. My father smirks as if he won, but he hasn't. And he won't.
Valen glances around, realizing my father has called in the troops. He growls, pushing me behind him, but I grab his arm, and he glances at me.
“We need to leave,”he tells me through the mind-link.
“Get in the car,” I tell him, holding eye contact with him. He growls, pushing me toward my car.
“Get in your car!” I tell him again, and he stops, looking at me, then glancing around before his eyes meet mine once more.
“Everly, what are you doing?”he mind-links.
“What I should have done years ago, now get in the car. I refuse to be seen as hiding behind you,”I tell him using the link. Valen blinks at me before growling.
“I am not walking away until I know you are safely in that car,” Valen growls loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Listen to your mate, Everly. It's time to leave,” my father says softly. He actually sounds like he doesn't want it to come to this, which, I think, is odd considering he ordered them here. The retaliation all comes down to reputation. Well, looks like I’m about to earn mine.
Valen nudges me toward my car, but I don't budge. “Do not ask me to walk away,” he murmurs. I know everyone is waiting for the Big Bad Blood Alpha to drag me away kicking and screaming, but if Valen truly meant what he said, that I’m his equal, he will do this for me.
“Please, just this once,”I mind-link, and he looks around me before growling angrily, leaning down, and kissing my lips.
“He touches you, I will kill him,”he says through the mind-link.
“No, you won't. But no one is dying here today. Just get in the car.”
He pulls away, looking at me. “You're not…” he whispers.
“I am. Now, go,” I tell him. Valen curses, not happy, but suddenly seems to understand. He shakes his head before he chuckles.
“Just this once,” he says, walking off toward his car. The murmurs of him walking away from me and leaving me out in the open are loud, shocked he would let his Luna fend for herself. They don't realize I don't need to hide behind anyone. I was born an Alpha. It’s my birthright, and now I am going to claim it.
“Run along, Everly,” my father says, watching Valen climb into his car.
“No,” I tell him, and he growls, taking a step toward me. His eyes dart over my shoulder to Valen's car before flicking to me.
“Everyone here will now bear witness!” I call out. My father growls. However, I keep going.
“I, Everly, Luna of Nightshade pack, challenge you, Alpha John, for my rightful title and birthright as Alpha to the Shadow Pack,” I cry. The collective gasp is loud at the challenge. My father seems stunned that I dared speak those words.
He glances around at his pack, witnessing the reactions of his members to the challenge. He’ll look weak if he backs down; I know he won't. He growls.
“So what will it be, Dad? Stand down and submit? Or accept the challenge?” I tell him.
“You foolish girl,” he growls before looking around and pressing his lips in a line.
“Challenge accepted. Next full moon, council arena,” he snaps before leaning toward me.
“You are going to get yourself killed. Rescind it. You don't stand a chance, and you know it.”
“That is where you are wrong, Father. For seventeen years, you trained me. I didn't suddenly forget. I was taught by one of the best.”
“Yes, taught byme. You think you can beat me? You spent years as a rogue. Think of your son.”
“I am thinking of my son. I can and will win. You forget why a title is handed down to the eldest child, each generation stronger than a predecessor. Step down, Dad. You're looking at the next generation, someone that rivals you now, your mirror only stronger. You told me that. Promised growing up, I would be stronger than you one day. I saw no one bigger than you growing up. I held you up on a pedestal. You were my hero. Not anymore,” I tell him before turning my back on him and walking toward my car. Ava presses her lips in a line, trying not to smile.
“You're making a mistake, Everly!” my father calls, but I keep walking to my car and open the driver's side door.
“You have until the next full moon to back out,” my father says, earning some gasps from his pack. He doesn't want to fight me. What father would? No one wants to potentially kill their child, even one who he claims to hate. Which is precisely why Alphas handed the title down. Rarely are they challenged. It’s also unheard of for an Alpha to offer the challenger a way out.
