Gunnar’s chest heaved as he glared at the offending werewolf. I spotted the Four Horsemen at the door, staring darkly at the werewolf’s back. What the hell was this clown thinking? The more I thought about it – as everyone stood poised for murder – the crazier it sounded. He had no chance of surviving. He was surrounded by monsters and gods. Not even counting the fact that he stood inside Chateau Falco, my family mansion, the seat of my power.

Gunnar just waited, and I began to feel uneasy. Why wasn’t he doing anything?

The man nodded one time, still smirking. “Not as dumb as you look. Smart to consider why I would reveal myself in such a vulnerable position. To wonder why I would reveal myself at all. In such a public manner. With so many blades, claws, and,” he glanced at the whips of white energy crackling at my feet, “magic strings ready to cut me in half.”

Ashley snarled as she took a step closer, but Gunnar let out a bark and she instantly halted as if he had yanked an invisible leash. She didn’t look angry at Gunnar’s command, but as if she was still visualizing the evisceration of the man who had ruined her wedding day.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t place your head on my wedding table as a trophy,” Gunnar said in a tone low enough to resemble a minor earth tremor. “Because it’s sounding more appealing by the second.”

The man shrugged easily. “Because your entire pack will die if I don’t walk out of here. I’m obviously willing to gamble on it.” He held out his hands, grinning arrogantly. A challenge. He had revealed himself as a threat but hadn’t shifted. “Want to throw the dice, pup?”

Gunnar growled, his claws elongating. Ashley stood motionless, a fraction of a second away from cutting loose. “You’re mad.” Gunnar finally said, relaxing. Then he began to laugh.

The man didn’t seem to like that comment very much. He scowled at Gunnar for a heartbeat before composing himself. “Your pack’s apartment complex is surrounded as we speak,” he said in a low tone. “By twice their number. Your empire has fallen, Gunnar Randulf. You just don’t know it yet.”

“And what if I decide not to concern myself with your idle threat and instead slaughter your pack? Or, better yet, take them from you and leave you all alone?” Gunnar asked, actually glancing down at his paw as if inspecting a hangnail. “Because the more I listen to you whine and brag like an emo teen, the more I realize that the universe might have just given me a wedding present. I kind of want to kill you now, whatever your name is. Because I hate it when puppies yap at me while I’m trying to do grown up things.”

The man didn’t bat an eye. “My name is Zeus Fletcher, Alpha of Illinois, and I formally challenge your position as Alpha of St. Louis. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. I wanted you to have at least one night of marital bliss, so didn’t bother bringing my Second here with me. I’ll have one of my people talk to your people to finalize the details. Neutral ground and all that.” He cocked his head, frowning. “Oh. Any special requests? I’m feeling generous.”

Gunnar yawned. “Do we really have to wait until tomorrow? I have a few minutes to spare before pictures.” He glanced down at himself. Then the shredded tuxedo. “Well, that plan just went to hell. I guess tomorrow will have to do. Sleep tight.” And he turned his back on Zeus.

I bit back a laugh as Zeus’ face darkened. I released my whips, realizing they were unnecessary. I had thought werewolves were less… official. More snarling, less paperwork. Gunnar had killed the previous Alpha of St. Louis without all this red tape. But… Gunnar hadn’t been an Alpha. He’d been a lone wolf. Maybe that changed things.

I realized Gunnar was speaking to Ashley – likely trying to convince her not to kill Zeus.

Zeus locked eyes on me and sneered. “Of course, you could always use your friends to do your dirty work… But that would make you look weak, proving that you’re unfit to be Alpha. Then again, word on the street says you don’t have a problem letting your friends do your dirty work. You’ve never had to face a true Alpha.” Gunnar slowly turned to face him. Zeus frowned, as if remembering something. “Oh, that’s right. You killed your predecessor, but he was just a pawn. The Brothers Grimm had already broken him when you came along. You’ve never had to stand up to an Alpha who paid for his throne with blood.”

Then, before anyone could respond, he simply turned his back on Gunnar, the ultimate sign of disrespect. “I’ll let you have tonight to fuck your bitch queen.” Ashley actually lunged forward at that, but Gunnar held her back with a warning snarl – claiming this kill for his own. Ashley relented, but she practically shook with bloodlust as she watched Zeus walk away.

Zeus paused at the door, staring down the Four Ushers of the Apocalypse. At a look from Gunnar, they stepped aside. Zeus turned to give them one last look. He spent considerably more time appraising Ashley. He licked his lips, turning back to Gunnar. “If you put up a good enough fight, perhaps I’ll even comfort your widow after you’re gone.”

Then he was walking away, chuckling to himself.