Page 32 of And Omega Makes Four
"That’s what this whole scene is about?" Elias scoffs and rolls his eyes. "The territory they have is far more valuable than I am. One wolf's death is a small price to pay for the hunting land here."
"True..." Kyle grins down at him. "But I happen to know there's another reason why your pack isn’t trying to rescue you right now."
The smartass seems to think this is a game. “Please, enlighten me.”
Kyle sighs. "River's threat against your life is dire, of course, but right now, he's technically the new Alpha of your pack. Isn't he?"
Elias looks up at Kyle with a mixture of confusion and fear.
Glancing around the group, everyone from his pack is wearing the same expression.
"He dethroned you, singlehandedly, without outside help." Kyle shrugs, his grin widening. “Even if we let you up right now, you’ve already lost your pack."
"No..." He shakes his head and looks around at his men. "That only applies to?—"
"To single combat, between two individual wolves, who would otherwise be eligible to lead." Kyle recites the law verbatim. "He's the heir of this pack, so he's clearly eligible to lead this pack under the right circumstances."
As if on cue, a brief motion from the main building catches my eye. Frankie is crossing the lot toward us with my parents in tow.
“Oh, he’s not just the heir.” Frankie is wearing a broad grin, excited to share his news. “He’s the Alpha of this pack now.”
22
KYLE
River, once more in his human form and fully dressed, is sitting on a sofa between Devon and Frankie. I’m perched on the arm of the sofa, still partially standing just in case I need to move quickly.
We're gathered in Charles's office with Elias, the Alpha of the northern pack, as well as both of River's parents. Elias is sitting in a chair across from us while Charles and his mate are seated behind the desk.
"This is absurd." Elias shakes his head as if still confused about what just happened. "I'm not gonna sit here and listen to this nonsense."
"Actually, you will." Charles speaks in a calm and even tone, but the power in his voice vibrates through the room. "There are witnesses from both packs who watched my son defeat you with his fangs to your throat. They are already calling your authority into question. If you want any hope of keeping your pack, you've no choice but to listen."
Elias growls softly and narrows his eyes at Charles. "Explain to me how this is even possible. Your son is an omega. And you've just ceded control of your pack to him?"
"It's a little-known secret that our pack is, and always has been, led by omegas. My mate is the official leader of our pack, but she stepped into the background many years ago and has allowed me to take over in the day-to-day operations." Charles looks up at his mate with an unreadable expression. "She has always disliked being the focus of attention, and we were matched as more of a power play than a love mating. But our relationship has allowed us to highlight our strengths and shelter our weaknesses."
"So, you're saying your omega mate is the true Alpha?" Elias asks, raising a brow at Charles.
"I’m the Alpha, but she’s the leader." Charles smiles and corrects himself. "Was the leader until she decided to pass that role on to our son. So, as you can see, you really are at our mercy."
"Why?” Elias looks at River's mother with suspicion written all over his face. “Why would you do that?"
"Because I'm tired of this life." She sounds as defeated as she looks. "I've been trapped in this cycle of power and politics for too long. Charles and I have been trapped in an arrangement that's made us both miserable. The threat of your pack's hostility drove a wedge between me and my son and forced me to make a decision for him that I never wanted.” She turns to River with tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. We never should have kept you prisoner in your own home. We were wrong.”
River’s eyes are glassy as he nods to his mom. “It’s okay, Mom. I understand.”
Her gaze hardens as she looks back at Elias. "But River and these three alphas have taken matters into their own hands. They forced a solution to a problem I thought was hopeless. So, really, it's my son you should be speaking to."
Elias turns his gaze toward River.
He’s sitting up straight with his chin raised, clearly trying to appear confident and in control despite the slight tremble in his hands. "We've already told you our demands." River keeps his shoulders square. "Leave this pack alone. Never return. Otherwise, I'll assert my claim on your pack and your territory."
Elias's gaze narrows, but he's silent as he turns the situation over in his head. Even if he wants to dispute the claim, both packs saw him with River's jaws around his neck. His life was literally in River's hands. If he tries to fight this, the chances of his own pack turning against him are high.
"Fine," Elias says, his voice tight. "I accept your terms."
"Good," River says, nodding slowly. "You have until sundown to leave our territory."
