Tanner strode to the door, opened it, and gestured for me to go first. I gnawed on my lip as I stormed past him. Maybe he had intended to have a conversation, but I had something a little more assertive planned. From the veranda, I stomped down to the lawn. When I hit the grass, I whirled around to face him. The way he leisurely strolled down the stairs irritated me even more.

He rolled up his sleeves. “Now, Savvy. There’s no need for you to get upset.” He flashed a smile. I’d seen other girls, my sisters included, swoon over him. My reaction was considerably different. His behavior felt condescending.

“Really, Tanner? And why should I remain calm? How do other wolves act when their superiority is being questioned?” I could feel the growl in my throat. My wolf yearned to be free.

“Superiority?” His brows rose. “Savvy, you’re sweet. You’re like the princess of the pack.”

“The what? You think I’m a princess?” I spat the words. “You don’t know me at all.” My hands fisted at my sides.

“I don’t know you well, but you were raised as the Alpha’s daughter. It’s not like you were groomed to run things.” He shrugged.

I glared at him. “Wasn’t I?” With an arm, I made a sweeping gesture around the estate. “You knew nothing of this place. You are probably completely unaware of any of our holdings, right?”

“Well, no, but I meant in a more physical sense.” Tanner tugged at his collar and I knew I’d hit a nerve. He needed me. Alienating me would mean more than simply losing my respect. He’d lose access to everything the Alpha pack owned.

“It’s all being handed down to me,” I whispered. “My sisters will get a nice lump sum, but the rest is mine. My father told me this long ago, when he realized he wouldn’t have a son.” I stepped closer. To my satisfaction, Tanner struggled to hold his ground. I smiled in a way that made him positively flinch. “Know what else?” He shook his head. “My father taught me to defend what’s mine.”

Tanner swallowed hard. “We’re all taught how to take care of ourselves.”

“Try me.” I snarled. In an instant, I had shifted and stood on a pile of my clothes. My lips curled back to reveal my teeth. A growl emanated from my throat.

Holding his hands up, Tanner murmured, “We don’t have to do this, Savvy.”

In response, I snapped at him. Until he shifted, we wouldn’t be able to speak. The psychic connection only worked in wolf form.

His eyes were wide, but I watched him work to cover his fear. “Fine.” He smirked. “Your funeral.” Then he stood before me, on all fours, looking about the size I imagined. While I had blue eyes and dark charcoal fur mixed with white and a pure white underbelly, Tanner was a reddish brown with matching hazel eyes. I could easily be mistaken for a large husky. He was all wolf.

My funeral? I asked him. Are you sure about that?

Tanner shook out his fur. Then I heard him laughing in my head. I’m reasonably confident, yes.

Then don’t keep me waiting. Show me what you’ve got. And when I take you down, maybe I’ll let you be my Beta. I narrowed my eyes at him.

Once more he chuckled. I’ll show you, all right. And when I take you down, I’ll make you my wife.

Nothing could have incited my anger further. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end and I growled in response.

You haven’t even heard my offer yet. Tanner snickered.

I rushed him and knocked him onto his back. Then I stood over him and snapped at his neck a few times until I saw the fear and fury in his eyes. Done stalling yet?

When I moved away, he struggled to his feet. You don’t have to be so intense.

Of course, I do. The Phoenix Pack is at stake. This is serious. I circled him as I spoke. The Alpha must protect the pack, just like the pack protects the Alpha. When there are tough decisions to be made, it lands on the Alpha. There’s much more to this role than bossing people around and having a big bank account.

I know that. Tanner bristled.

Angrily, I shook my head. If you understood this, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. You’d understand you’re out of your league. You’re no Alpha, Tanner.

Finally, he snarled and leapt at me, but I ducked and he flew past me, landed hard, and rolled. You can’t be the Alpha. He sneered.

I waited, prepared to respond. I knew what he thought and I was going to make him say it. Why can’t I be the Alpha, Tanner?

He glared at me. You’re a girl. Everyone knows the Alpha is a male.

I laughed, hoping it sounded as cool and confident when he heard it as it felt to me. See, this is where you’re wrong. I spoke quietly as I padded towards him, slowly closing the distance. The Alpha has never been a female because no female has ever fought for the position. Only now, I am.

You can’t. He glanced around nervously.

While we spoke, all the pups had snuck out onto the veranda above us. They watched with rapt attention. Most of them were so young, they probably didn’t know who was who. Oh, but my sisters did. Shelby stood there stoically. Lenoir had a hand over her mouth. For a split-second I wondered whom they were rooting for. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. I needed to concentrate. This fight was too important. There were no do-overs. This was winner take all, in every sense. We were deciding who would be leading the Phoenix Pack. Sure, someone else could challenge, but it was essentially unheard of.

Watch me, I warned.

Tanner raced toward me, but I side-stepped what would’ve been a tackle. He skidded to a stop several feet away. Immediately, he came rushing back towards me. He was scared and off balance. I intended to use this to my advantage. This time, as he neared, I leapt and knocked him off his feet. We rolled together. There was a flurry of snapping and gnashing of teeth. At one point I connected with his shoulder. I had fur in my mouth and the metallic taste of blood. He’d heal soon enough. He wouldn’t even scar. Still, I wanted him to remember. I wanted there to never be any doubt who was the stronger wolf, the better strategist.

Finally, Tanner made it to his feet. He limped slightly, suggesting I might have hit a muscle or nerve. With my head down and eyes trained on him, I waited for his next move. All the while, I heard his thoughts. Don’t lose to a girl. The pups are watching. Be strong. Be smart.

I laughed. Go on. I’ll give you a freebie. I’ll just stand here one time. Make it count. Save face.

His eyes widened. Then without considering if I was serious, he came after me, going directly for the throat. I almost admired him for the effort. Instead, I had to ensure he didn’t do any damage, intentionally or accidentally. Rather than panic, I tucked my head down against my chest, then twisted my head up under his. As expected, Tanner couldn’t hang on and I’d managed to turn the tables. We were a whirling, circling, mass of fur and snapping jaws. To an outsider, it seemed frantic and confusing Ah, but I felt controlled and determined.

He can’t beat me. I reminded myself, but knew he’d hear too. I fight to honor my father and mother, who lost their lives for this pack. I could feel him slowing, his intensity faltering. I fight for all females. An Alpha should be determined by strength and abilities, not gender. I nipped at his ear and he whimpered and drew back in surprise. I fight for the Phoenix Pack. We are battered, but not broken. We are down, but not out. Tanner stared at me incredulously for a split second and took advantage. I knocked him off his feet and went for his throat. Soon my teeth were biting into his neck. He struggled to get free, but I simply applied more pressure. Once again, I could taste his blood.

Tanner whined. Reluctantly, I eased up on my grip.

Say it, I urged. Say it and you can heal. We’ll be done with this nonsense.

They won’t accept you. His words sounded like a desperate plea.

They will. I glanced up at the pups on the veranda.

You’ll have to defend your position again and again until the day you die. Tanner gasped for air.

Maybe, maybe not. What say you? Want to be considered for a position as my Beta? I lay on the ground, still holding him, confident he understood I meant to remain that way for as long as necessary.

His eyes closed. I yield, Alpha.

I stood, released his neck, and stepped back. As soon as he was free, Tanner disappeared into the woods behind us. No doubt he hoped to lick his wounds and heal in private. Without thinking, I walked over to my clothes and shifted.

“Inside, pups!” I heard Shelby ushering them back into the house.

My cheeks turned pink while I struggled to pull on my panties and then my bra. When I glanced up at the veranda, Lenoir was glaring down at me. “What’s with the look, Lennie?” I frowned.

“Why’d you have to humiliate him that way? Why do you always have to run things?” She pouted and then stared off into the woods. “I’m going after him.”

“No, you aren’t. Let him be.” I slid my feet into my flip flops and then marched up the steps.

Her chin jutted out. “Says who?”

My brow rose. “Your Alpha. Get used to it. I’m a born leader.” Then I hooked my arm through hers and pulled her into the house.