Chapter 4
That night, Kane lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Mid-summer heat filled the room, drifting in through the open window, causing a sheen of sweat to slick his skin. He kicked off the covers and folded his arms behind his head. It was his thoughts rather than the heat that was keeping him awake. The challenge had been scheduled for the next day. Well, technically today since it was now well past midnight. He’d yet to fall asleep. By this time tomorrow he’d be Alpha…or not. His feelings were still conflicted on that point.
He watched the passage of the moonlight as it slowly traversed across the wall of his room, skimming over his dresser, slowly illuminating a photo of himself as a youngster with Zack. He was holding a fish and Zack had a hand on his shoulder. He, Ryne and Zack had gone camping together; swimming, fishing, roasting marshmallows.
“Look Zack. I caught a fish!”
“Good job, Kane. Reel it in slowly.” Zack coached him along. “It’s a big one. Enough for all three of us for dinner.”
“I’ll take a picture.” Ryne grabbed the camera Helen and Zack had given him.
“I did it! I did it!” He’d held the fish up high, a feeling of pride swelling within him when Zack had placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Way to go, Kane.” Ryne had snapped photos while offering praise.
The sound of their young voices echoed in his head and a bittersweet smile twisted his lips. Those innocent days were gone forever. It was still hard to believe how quickly things had changed.
Trying to distract himself, he brought to mind an image of the brown-haired girl. She always soothed him with her soft smile and deep green eyes. He could picture her standing beside him, her hair blowing gently in the breeze. He’d reach out and tuck the strands behind her ear, then lean down to kiss her…
Right. It was foolish fantasy and he was far too old to be mooning over someone he’d only seen once and had never even spoken to. An Alpha, or at least a potential one, had more weighty things to think about. With a sigh, he let the vision fade.
He ran a hand over his bare chest. There was an ache inside him, a pain over what amounted to a betrayal by his brother. Half-brother to be accurate but they’d never dwelt on that fact. A harsh upbringing had forged a deep bond between them…or so he’d thought.
Their mother, Mindy, had phenomenally bad taste in men. Her relationship with Ryne’s father hadn’t worked out while his own father was a bastard. They’d never known when they’d be fed, when they’d be on the receiving end of a drunken rage or when they’d wake up to discover they were moving to a new pack. There’d been a few good times but, for the most part, life had been tough. Yet no matter what happened, they’d always had each other. In fact, for years he’d hero-worshipped his older brother. Ryne had often picked up on the mood in the house and found them a place to hide until the storm that was his father passed out.
Well, those days were well in the past. And so were the brotherly feelings apparently. How was Ryne spending the night? Was he equally torn over the coming event?
He rolled over and punched his pillow into a more comfortable shape then settled his head on the cool surface. It did little to quiet his thoughts though, questions keeping sleep at bay. How long had Ryne been planning to issue a challenge? Was that why he’d been so moody all week? Or was it one of those rash decisions Ryne was known for?
Knowing he wouldn’t get any rest, he got up and pulled on a pair of jeans before padding downstairs. The house was silent, the floor boards creaking faintly as he walked the familiar pathway. He intended to go for a run but a light shining at the end of the hall drew his attention. He hesitated, not really wanting to talk to anyone, but a sense of duty had him veering from his chosen path towards the kitchen. As he’d suspected, a lone figure was sitting at the table, a cup of tea in her hand.
“Hello, Kane.” Helen addressed him without turning around.
“You’re up late.” He entered the room and pulled out a chair to sit in, the scraping of the legs on the floor sounding louder than normal in the silence of the night.
“I could say the same about you.”
He shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Me either.” She stood and went to the cupboard and took out a cup. “I’ve been thinking about what you said. That someone tampered with Zack’s brakes. I still can’t believe anyone would do such a thing.”
“I know. I was shocked when Ryne showed me the evidence.”
“And you’re sure it wasn’t just an accident?” She poured water from the simmering kettle into a teapot and carried it to the table.
“Ryne’s good with mechanics. He said it wasn’t natural wear and tear. Especially not on a new truck.”
“It was hard enough losing Zack, but this news…” Her voice trailed off and she sat down heavily. “It’s been a hard day.”
“Yes, it has.” He scrubbed his face, then dragged his fingers back through his hair.
“The meeting tonight was quite a shock.”
“To put it mildly.”
She poured some tea into a cup and pushed it towards him. “Try this. It’s camomile.”
He looked at it skeptically. “I doubt a cup of tea will help.”
“Nadia highly recommends it.”
Nadia was their nurse practitioner, a font of modern scientific wisdom and medical folklore. He took a sip and made a face at the sweet flowery taste.
“The challenge is weighing on your mind.” Helen prodded gently.
“Yeah.” He stared down at the cup he now cradled in his hands. “Did I do the right thing, accepting the challenge? If I’d stepped down—”
“Ryne would be Alpha.” Helen cocked her head. “Is that best for the pack?”
“Maybe… I don’t know.” He shrugged one shoulder.
“Will you be good for the pack?”
“Yes!” He looked up. “Of course.”
“And that’s why you made the choice you did. You want what’s best for the pack.”
He gave a short laugh. “Or maybe I have an over-inflated opinion of myself.”
“Not you.” Helen smiled. “Or at least not yet.”
“Not yet?” He quirked a brow.
“I’ve seen a lot of Alphas in my time and some of them were pretty arrogant. Having a pack hanging onto your every word, almost worshipping the ground you walk on, can go to your head.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
“If you forget, I’ll pull out my wooden spoon.”
They both chuckled before the gravity of the situation once again invaded their thoughts.
“What the hell was Ryne thinking, Helen? He knows a challenge is to the death.”
She nodded and blinked, a tear slowly dripping down her face. “You’re both like my sons. I don’t want either of you harmed. After losing Zack, I don’t think I can handle much more.”
“I know.” He turned the cup in his hands thinking of all the times he, Ryne and Helen had sat at this very table having a late night conversation. She used to wait up for them when they were teens, claiming she couldn’t sleep until she knew her boys were safely home. “I don’t know if I can do this. He’s my brother, Helen.” He glanced up at her, not trying to hide the torment that twisted his gut.
“Kane, you know the Book of the Law better than most. Are you sure there isn’t a way around this? Some sub-clause that could be used? A new interpretation that hasn’t been considered before?” Helen reached out and touched his arm. “I remember when you and Ryne were at the Academy and studying for finals. There was a passage in one of your text books that you were debating.”
He frowned as he searched his memory. “I remember that. The point was that the Book of the Law was written centuries ago. Alphas need to consider the spirit and intent of a law, rather than the exact wording, before enacting it.”
“Maybe you can use that to your advantage?”
He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed and then slowly nodded. “Perhaps… Of course, it’s a moot point unless I win.”
“You will. I have faith in you.”
He spent the rest of the night reading passages from the Book of the Law, checking precedents and considering his options. When he was done, it was almost morning. His eyes were gritty, his body weary and he hoped he hadn’t made a mistake putting energy into planning his strategy rather than resting. Would he have enough strength now to defeat Ryne? He wasn’t sure.
When light began to break, he headed out, shifting into wolf form to go for a slow run, not enough to tire himself, just to warm up and, of course, to see his territory one more time. Technically, it wasn’t officially his, but he’d felt a deep connection to it ever since the day Helen and Zack had announced he and Ryne would, from then on, forever be part of their family.
He recalled the day the direction of his life had turned around. The previous night, his father had announced their family was leaving and he and Ryne had been silently packing their meagre possessions into bags. Every time they returned to Oregon, he’d hope their mother was telling the truth when she said they were there to stay. His father always ruined it though, causing trouble until the Alpha kicked them out. It happened no matter where they went until it reached the point he didn’t dare make friends or get close to anyone because it never lasted. Leaving hurt too much if you became attached.
His mother entered the room, her face bearing signs of strain like always, lines around her mouth, shadows under her eyes. He’d seen pictures of her when she was younger; she’d been beautiful back then. Now, even to his young eyes, she looked older than her years.
“You can stop packing.” She nodded towards the duffles.
“The bastard has changed his mind?” Ryne looked up, a t-shirt balled in his hand.
“Don’t call him that. You need to show some respect to your father.” She shot a sharp look at her eldest son.
Ryne snorted. “I only respect people who deserve it. Besides, he’s not my father.”
Trying to calm the situation, Kane spoke up. “The Alpha changed his mind and said we can stay?” He’d heard the argument the previous night; Alpha William and his father had waged a war of words outside his bedroom window.
“No, Kane.” She shook her head. “We’re leaving.”
His stomach suddenly felt like it had ice in it. “So we can’t take our stuff?” He didn’t have much. A new shirt Helen had given him for his birthday. A battered copy of the Book of the Law Zack had shared when he’d expressed interest in learning more about pack law. Zack was the Beta and had always taken extra time with him, answering his questions.
“I mean, Carter and I are leaving. You’re staying.”
“We are?” He and Ryne spoke together.
“It’s for the best.” She pursed her lips. “Money is tight right now. You two are growing out of your clothes every day, eating like bottomless pits.”
Ryne sneered. “Carter doesn’t want to have to waste money on us.”
“That’s not the reason.” She rubbed her arm.
Kane noticed the bruise marks on her arm. They were shaped like his father’s hand. His own fingers curled into fists wishing he was big enough to defend her.
His mother continued speaking. “The Alpha feels it would be better if you had a stable home for a while. Carter is talking about heading south of the border and who knows what the schools will be like.”
“So we get to stay here…for how long?” He ignored Ryne’s mumbling that school had never figured in any of their moves before.
“I don’t know.” She reached out and ruffled his hair. “You’re almost grown. It’s not like you need your parents that much anymore.”
He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Now eleven, almost twelve, there were days he felt like he was grown up. At other times, he really wished he had a mother who baked cookies like Helen and fussed over him when he was sick. And a father who paid attention like Zack and taught important things like tracking and reading the weather.
“Where will we live?” Ryne had folded his arms, eyes narrowed.
“Zack and Helen have agreed to take you in.”
His eyes widened at the news and Ryne nodded in approval.
She looked at both of them and gave a tentative smile that didn’t match the sheen of tears in her eyes. “I know you’ll be happier here.”
“Mom, I…” Kane shifted on his feet unsure what to say. She was his mother and he loved her in spite of everything. “Why don’t you stay with us? You’d be safe here and—”
“No.” She didn’t let him finish. “Carter is my mate and mates stick together.”
“Like you stayed with my father?” Ryne pointed out.
“That was…different. Things didn’t work out. He…he didn’t want to be mated to a female.”
“What?” He cocked his head. “I don’t understand.”
“Never mind. It’s not important.” She shook her head. “The point is I’m going with Carter. He’ll take care of me. Besides, he needs me. You know how he gets sometimes.”
Yes, he knew. She loved them, but she didn’t love them enough to leave his father. Damned bastard.
She took a deep breath. “I have to go now. Be good.” She gave Ryne a quick hug and him as well, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “I’ll keep in touch.” With one final glance, she turned quickly and left.
He looked at Ryne, feeling a strange lump in his throat. “So, this is home now.” He said the words tentatively, not certain if he should believe them and not even sure if he should be happy or sad.
Ryne looked around and nodded. “Yep.” He picked up his duffle and dumped the contents on the bed. “I guess we’re finally home.”
“At least until they kick us out.” He thought of all the times he’d believed he finally had a home only to have it all fall apart.
“Yeah.” A hint of fear flickered over Ryne’s face before it was hidden by the blank mask he wore so often.
Kane wet his lips and glanced towards the door. “Should we have asked to go with her anyway?”
“Nope.” Ryne wandered over to where he stood and slung an arm around his shoulders. He seemed to be forcing a confident tone into his voice. “She’s made her choice. And she’s right. This is a good place for us. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.”
“You’re only thirteen,” he scoffed.
“Old enough.” And with that Ryne had flipped him over for a wrestling match…
The memory faded and he blinked. Looking around, he was surprised at how far he’d travelled. There was a large ravine nearby and he trotted to the edge. The air was cool, the rising sun only now starting to penetrate the shadows cast by the trees. Sitting down, eyes half-closed, he absorbed the scents and sights and sounds of the territory. They nourished his soul, filling him with contentment.
He loved this land and all who lived here and he’d do anything for them; Zack and Helen and the whole pack. They’d become the extended family he’d always longed for. If they hadn’t taken him in, who knows how his life might have turned out.
About a year after moving in with Zack and Helen, the Alpha had stepped down and Zack had ascended to the position, the pack voting for him over the other contender, Dietrich. As Alpha, Zach had arranged for his foster sons to go to the Academy for training when they were old enough. Then, after graduation, he’d eventually given them both positions as Betas. It was more than either of them would ever have been able to achieve if they’d stayed with their parents. Yes, he owed a lot to this pack.
A sound drew his attention and he turned towards it. On the other side of the rugged ravine stood a black wolf. It was glaring at him, head lowered, a low rumble emitting from its throat and travelling across the divide towards him
It was Ryne, the brother who’d promised to always take care of him.