Page 11 of Bound to Exiles (Rejected Wolf Pack #5)

The pack surged after the two alphas like a wave. My heart pounded with a mixture of worry and fierce pride as Gage stripped off his shirt, revealing his sculpted muscles. Heat pooled in my core at the sight, and my desire echoed through my connection to all my mates.

Beside me, even Flint’s breath hitched as my arousal reached him.

I wondered if it was my fault, or if he was having a similar reaction to our pack alpha’s muscular body.

Early on, I’d assumed Flint was straight, but after he and Heath had experimented for my pleasure, I had to wonder if maybe he was beginning to question his sexuality a little, similar to the awakening Gage seemed to be experiencing with Heath.

The crowd formed a ring around Gage and Varden, putting them in a street lamp’s spotlight in front of the pack house. Heath and Zak flanked me with Flint at my back. My wolf approved of this formation, my mates ensuring that no one could use the cover of dark or this distraction to attack me.

Across the spotlight from us, Fern frowned, likely wondering what would happen to her plans if Varden won. My wolf chuffed at the ridiculous thought that anyone could defeat Gage.

Varden shifted first, his large gray wolf form bristling with aggression. My wolf tensed, ready to leap to Gage’s defense if needed. On the other side of the circle of light, Gage didn’t shift to fight him. Instead, he circled the other alpha, completely at ease in his human form.

“What is he doing?” I asked frantically through the Bonded link.

Heath grinned beside me, his eyes tinged with a wild gold, his wolf brought to the surface just like mine .

Heath answered out loud for the crowd to hear: “Pack law doesn’t require the alphas to fight in wolf form.”

I didn’t sense an ounce of doubt from Flint or Heath. They truly believed Gage would survive this, even without shifting.

“Let’s see if you have what it takes to be pack alpha,” Gage called to Varden.

Several subordinate wolves gasped audibly, their eyes wide with disbelief that Gage would face a shifted alpha in his vulnerable human form.

Pride swelled in my chest. Gage was putting on a show of dominance that would discourage future challenges.

“The Howling Echo does not stand on tradition,” Zak murmured to himself, repeating my earlier words.

I glanced at him, seeing his awe at Gage’s daring. Though I couldn’t sense Zak’s emotions through the Bonded link as easily as with my other mates, his growing respect for Gage was obvious in his eyes.

I looked around to gauge the crowd’s reaction. A few betas exchanged stupefied glances, their expressions a mixture of fear and reluctant admiration. Even some of the alphas who had been vocal in their opposition looked taken aback by Gage’s confidence.

“Is he insane?” someone whispered behind me.

“No one fights a shifted wolf in human form if they have a choice,” another murmured.

Motion from the corner of my eye refocused my attention back to the two alphas circling each other in the circle of light. When Varden lunged, Gage sidestepped, letting the wolf’s momentum carry him past. My breath caught, admiring his warrior’s grace and control.

The gray wolf spun and charged again. This time as Gage stepped aside, he caught Varden’s ruff in both hands. With a display of raw strength that sent desire coursing through me, Gage lifted the alpha wolf and slammed him to the ground.

A collective gasp rose from the onlookers.

Several of Fern’s allies took involuntary steps backward as their shoulders hunched, their instincts responding to the display of pure dominance.

One beta who had been particularly vocal earlier now lowered his eyes, his body language shifting from defiance to submission without conscious thought.

Varden yelped and lashed out with his claws, raking them along Gage’s arms and chest, but Gage held strong, undeterred.

He bared his lengthening fangs against the pain, but still didn’t shift.

My wolf snarled at the sight of blood on Gage’s skin, but he didn’t let up.

He pinned the struggling wolf, one hand still gripping his scruff while his knee pressed against his throat.

Gage was in full control now.

Heat flashed through my body, my arousal flooding the Bonded link. I wasn’t alone — Heath’s desire burned just as hot, and even Zak’s breathing had grown uneven beside me. The scent of our combined arousal would be unmistakable to any wolf nearby.

“Submit,” Gage growled.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Zak unconsciously raising his fingers to his neck.

The gesture sent another wave of heat through me, imagining Gage dominantly taking Heath from behind while he beckoned Zak closer, then caught his neck and gave the mage a fierce kiss.

The mental image should have shocked me, but instead, it felt right.

The gray wolf thrashed once more before going limp. He whimpered and bared his throat as Gage released him. After he stood, Varden shifted back, keeping his eyes downcast.

Varden remained naked and on his knees, his head bowed in clear submission, not daring to rise. The crowd watched the ancient ritual of submission in tense silence. After several long moments that reinforced his dominance, Gage nodded slightly, giving Varden permission to stand.

Only then did Varden rise to his feet, still keeping his gaze lowered as he addressed the crowd in a clear voice.

“I submit to Gage as pack alpha.”

Gage deliberately turned his back on the defeated alpha.

The message was clear to every wolf present: Gage was so confident in his dominance that he could expose his vulnerable back to a challenger he’d just defeated.

Several alphas in the crowd bowed their heads in grudging respect at the display .

“Now that,” Zak purred beside me, his admiration mingling with the heat still burning in our Bonded circle, “was a show of power.”

“Agreed,” I whispered through our mental link, unable to tear my eyes away from Gage’s blood-streaked chest. My wolf wanted to lick his wounds clean, to claim him all over again.

“That was an honorable fight,” Flint said to Varden as the defeated alpha pulled on his clothing.

He met Flint’s gaze briefly before averting his eyes. “I would rather follow our strong pack alphas into exile than bow to a council of weak betas.”

Gage smirked and clapped Varden on the shoulder. “You fought well.”

“Who else will challenge Gage for control of Frost Fang?” Heath yelled, stepping forward to raise Gage’s hand in the air like a champion of a boxing match.

Pride swelled in my chest at the sight of my mates standing together, powerful and undefeated. The crowd murmured, but no one stepped forward. All of the alphas kept their gazes downcast while the betas shared uneasy looks.

“Then spread the word and gather those who will come with us,” Gage ordered. “The Howling Echo and our pack followers leave at first light. Others can join us over the coming days.”

He stared at Fern, his dominance forcing her to avert her gaze instinctively. None of us said anything as we passed her. Through our bond rose Flint’s sadness at leaving his littermate behind again. I wished I could ease his pain, but some wounds ran too deep.

“Come with us, then,” I overheard Varden urging another alpha as we headed back toward our den.

“We’ll leave behind the keys to release the Moonblessed traitor from his cell tomorrow,” Heath called over his shoulder. “Don’t be surprised when he betrays Frost Fang, too.”

After we left the crowd behind, Heath slid his hand into Gage’s. Gage jerked in surprise, still tense from the fight.

Heath hastily stepped aside, then suggested, “You should shift and heal. Let us handle the rest. ”

Zak stepped closer to Gage, his eyes assessing the bloody scratches across the pack alpha’s chest and arms.

“Or I could heal those for you,” he offered, raising his hand where a subtle glow of blue magic flickered between his fingers.

Gage stared at him for a moment, his shoulders still tense. He glanced at me, and I gave him an encouraging smile, but Gage shook his head.

“I’ll shift and heal naturally.”

Hurt, disappointment, and rejection flickered across Zak’s face before it all vanished behind his usual confident smile. The ease with which he masked his true feelings behind a flirtatious facade troubled me.

With the crowd behind us, we all tensed at the sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel path alongside our den as we approached.

“I can’t believe it’s come to this,” Bretton’s voice greeted us as Flint reached the front door.

Gage acknowledged the loyal beta with a calm nod but his words were for us alone.

“I’ll trade places with Rowan. We’ll have a busy day tomorrow. Give Bretton the choice.”

Then he turned away, stripped down, and shifted.

“Will do,” Heath said before motioning for Bretton to follow us inside.

The beta stepped across the threshold, his voice brittle. “Should I stay behind and join the beta council?”

“Is that what you want?” Heath asked, taking a seat at the kitchen table facing the door.

“No.” Bretton sighed and sat down across from him.

“Get some rest, moonbeam,” Flint suggested, but I shook my head.

My wolf was too restless after witnessing the challenge, and emotions were too high. “I can’t sleep. Not now.”

“Need a distraction, love?” Zak gave me a slow, seductive smile, and Heath’s gaze snapped to him.

I smiled back but shook my head. What I needed was to run with my wolf, to feel the freedom of the forest before we left. Once Gage relieved Rowan at the jail, I knew my nature-loving alpha would run with me.

I squeezed Zak’s hand to soften the rejection. “What I need is a run. Care to join me and Rowan?”

Zak’s smile faltered. “Ah, not this time.”

I tried not to let my disappointment show. Why didn’t he want to run with us? I crossed the room to give Heath a kiss, then Flint, savoring their familiar tastes.

When I turned to Zak, he merely winked. “No pressure, my sweet.”