It becomes clear why they’re there when Cormac’s youngest son trots by to join the groups gathered on the commons. Weston isn’t as mouthy as Dane or an exact copy of his father like Lorne. Though we all share Blackburn blood, none of them feel like family. Not the way Liam’s my brother.

Liam follows my stare. “Want me to mark him down as a fail now? Save us all some time?”

“I’ll decide when we’ve seen how he fares through all the tests,” I answer. “Everyone gets a fair shot, those are the rules.”

Liam shrugs. “Okay. So make sure he’s in Hodge’s group?”

Hodge is old school. He’s a few years older than my father and grew up with him. He takes no prisoners when it comes to the safety of our territory and gives the hardest tests to pass. Most that end up in his group surrender before the week is out.

I smirk. “Exactly.”

“I bet you the stag in our freezer the kid pukes in the first twenty minutes,” Ford says when he joins us.

Gabe slaps him in the chest. “Don’t bet my food or I’ll knock you out. You know I was tracking it all weekend.”

Liam snorts. “You heard the man. Don’t you show your mate any respect?”

“He gets it…” Ford pauses to smirk.

We all groan, knowing how he’ll finish that sentence after how many times he’s fired off his favorite quip about giving it to Gabe all night long.

“Go put the hopefuls through hell to see who proves themselves,” I instruct.

If I thought my open office time was bad this morning, it’s nothing compared to the tang of hostility in the air later at dinner. It sets me on edge when I take my seat. I stare the tables down, satisfied when elders and young males alike back off with their gazes dropped to their plates.

The tense energy dissipates and I relax a bit. Thankfully Avery’s not on the rotation tonight. I checked the assignment schedule posted outside the lodge. I need to have her switched off kitchen duty and get her a meeting with the pack healer and his assistant. I consider other ways to rectify the pack’s opinion of her by integrating her back into it, like making sure she feels welcome at the next full moon run.

Hodge takes his usual seat. “Good stock this year. Strong wolves, sharp instincts.”

“You’ve got some winners in your group that you haven’t killed yet?” The corner of my mouth kicks up and I pass him the gravy.

He chuckles. “My torture sessions haven’t come to an end yet. Ask me again in another few days.”

I’m relieved he’s impressed. One less worry lightening the load on my shoulders if I can put my trust in some new members on the roster to allow older shifters their well-earned break.

Everything’s fine through the first half of the meal until a brazen she-wolf approaches the head table in heeled boots. Seline pushes her luck by stepping right up to me like Avery did earlier. She’s a few years older than me. I remember her having school lessons with Lorne.

“Alpha, I’m putting myself forward,” she announces.

“If you want to be part of the enforcers, the tryout applications go out in the middle of the summer,” Liam says.

She flicks a dismissive hand at him. “No, I mean as the ideal candidate to become Alpha female of the pack.”

I put my fork down with a clatter. This is why I’ve never shown any favor to the females, not even to blow off steam.

“No.” It’s blunt.

She leans on the table, squishing her ample cleavage until she’s about to spill out of her low-cut top. “I’m what the females need. I’m ready to challenge any of your mate candidates.”

A grumble builds in my throat. “Not interested. Neither is my wolf.” I survey the hall, making sure they’re all paying attention before I raise my voice. “Avery Morgan is my True Mate.”

“She’s not a worthy match,” someone at the back says before hiding.

My fist thumps the table. “She’s more than worthy. She’s strong and resourceful. How many of you sought her aid or remedies?” There’s a split reaction, some more agreeable and others holding out. “I intend to undo my rejection and claim her.”

Hushed chatter breaks out. I wish Avery was here tonight after all. I’m making myself clear to the pack so they back off of her.

I wave Seline off. “There won’t be any challenge. Go sit down.”

She purses her lips, then strides off with an uppity huff. Liam snorts, pushing the pitcher of beer within reach.

“You believe that? Man’s crazy,” someone jeers loudly. “Can’t be trusted when he doesn’t see tits like that right in front of him. Prefers that little witchling to a sexy she-wolf like Seline.”

My head snaps up, brows flattening. It’s the final straw.

“Who said that? Stand. Now.”

Heads swivel to see. My drawn out growl rattles the dishes in front of me when Dane Blackburn rises with a mulish expression. I find Uncle Cormac three seats down and grit my teeth at the smirk dancing on his weathered features.

I click my fingers at Dane, pointing at the open space between the head table and the rest of the hall. His expression falls and he gapes at his older brother.

“If you’re brave enough to run your mouth, you face the consequences yourself. Come forward now.” I fold my arms, watching his limbs jerk to obey the power infused in my order. As soon as he’s before me, I snarl. “Shift.”

Dane yelps as I force his wolf out. A few others are also compelled to change with grunts and surprised curses. Mine fights me for my skin, ready to attack anyone who disparages our mate. His growls thunder from me with his fury. Our mate is amazing. She is our perfect, fate-deigned match.

If I don’t control myself, he’ll kill my cousin the second I give him the reins.

I keep Dane’s wolf pinned beneath an unforgiving stare. He flashes his teeth with an edgy rumble, sensing the imminent danger he’s put himself in. Wrong fucking move.

My wolf bursts forward, tearing through my clothes. Then I’m on him with a tackle, knocking him back. He folds his ears and swipes at me. My wolf chuffs, teeth snapping viciously at Dane’s flank. He barks, skittering out of reach.

I trot around the circle. Dane isn’t a challenge for me to spar with. This is about making a point to the pack that I won’t allow anything less than the order I strive for.

And I won’t fucking tolerate their disrespect or animosity towards Avery any longer.

He makes another move, hackles raised. The sloppy attack only goads my wolf’s thirst for bloodshed. He’s faster and three times the size of Dane. He stalks his opponent with a ferocious snarl.

Dane tries to escape, probably wanting to hide under the tables. My teeth close on his back leg, and I yank him back with a vicious jerk. His claws scrabble the floor, a desperate whine flying free.

I bite down harder. Blood floods my mouth, then my teeth crunch through bone. Dane’s wolf screams. I release him, licking blood and sticky clumps of fur from my maw.

I allow him to feel his chance at freedom before rushing him to knock him down. Then I break his other leg, wrenching it until a chunk of meat strips off. I shake my snout, spitting the hunk of tendon and flesh to the floor.

Dane drags his injured legs, attempting to stand only to falter and slump to the floor. Panting and whining, he gives in, crawling with his tail tucked and belly pressed to the ground as best as he can get it.

I growl, peeling my lips back until he rolls to his back and exposes his belly. My wolf doesn’t want his submission. He still wants to sink his teeth in his neck.

Dane loses his shift, curled up on the floor with a groan and several broken bones. Satisfied I’ve made an example of him, I take my skin back from the wolf.

“Weston,” I call sharply. “Come collect your brother off the floor before he stains the wood.”

He bolts over without hesitation. I study him, looking for any disloyalty that would make him a bad choice to approve for the security team. He hauls Dane up and looks to me for my next command.