Page 24 of Crossed Fates

But my brother had known it was out of respect for my elder.

A familial birthright.

One passing to me now after twelve years of being on my own. I stood before a pack I no longer knew. Beside my parents, who might not even want me here. Before a beta who had challenge written into his expression despite the fact that my brother had literally just died.

If he tested me now, he’d regret it.

I’d destroy him.

There’d be no compassion. I’d put him in the fucking ground.

Because taking me on the day of my brother’s passing was a death sentence to anyone who wished to interfere. My wolf growled in agreement, my need to run strong and overpowering my ability to think.

I can’t lead like this, I realized.I can’t walk out there and offer comfort when all I want to do is rip this damn house apart.

Someone poisoned my brother.

That someone had to pay.

But I couldn’t do that here. I had nothing to go on other than a meeting. And I wouldn’t be able to travel back to see it for another few days.

There was a funeral to plan.

A burial ritual I had to attend.

In honor of Tyler’s memory. In preparation for consoling the pack. In necessity of taking on a leadership role I’d never wanted.

I’m alpha now.The realization slammed into my chest, knocking the wind from my lungs.I can’t do this.It was never meant to be me.

Only, it was… and I’d turned it down.

And now they all hated me.

Or just didn’t know me.

Goddamn it.

I needed air.

I needed to fucking breathe.

I can’t do this.I managed to somehow unlatch my mother and hand her to my father, his blue eyes shrewd and narrowing into disapproving slits.

I just shook my head. I couldn’t handle his bullshit right now. It’d been too long since I’d let my wolf out for a run, and if I didn’t leave this room right now, I’d shift and rip something apart.

Tyler’s dead.

He’s fucking dead.

Because I wasn’t there.

Because I put my job before him.

Because I put my own pride before the pack.

No, that wasn’t fair.

It wasn’t right.