An Alpha's Choice (Talon Pack #2)(8)

Ryder, though a good Heir from what Finn could see, wouldn’t always remain an Heir. When Gideon and Brie had a child, the firstborn son would become the Heir when he was old enough, unless something tragic happened like it had in Finn’s case. Actually, with the way the moon goddess had changed the dynamics ever so slightly with his family, their firstborn son or daughter could be the Heir.

When Finn had been forced to carry the bonds of Heir, he’d altered the timeline of when the next round of power would be exchanged. His siblings were all becoming the next in the hierarchy far too young. He knew it wasn’t his fault, but he couldn’t help but blame himself. But with the changing of the guard, the Redwoods were in a special position where they had a former set of power holders who were in the same shape and at the same endurance level as the current ones. It only made them stronger.

It was different for the Talons, he knew. They’d had the change of the guard through pain and blood because Gideon and Brynn’s father had been a tyrant rather than an Alpha. Finn didn’t know everything, but he knew it had been bad. Maybe one day Brynn would tell him the extent of what had happened so he’d be able to help.

He almost froze again.

No, he wouldn’t be talking to Brynn about that. She wasn’t his mate. She wasn’t even his friend. She couldn’t be, not with the attraction they held for each other and the lack of ability to do anything about it.

Finn cleared his throat, aware the girls had started talking about something else when he’d been lost in his own thoughts. It wasn’t unlike him to do that when he was in the company of those he trusted, not when his mind went to the darkness of his past more than it should, but he didn’t like it. He wanted to live in the present, only he couldn’t cut those ties.

“Good, you guys are here,” Kade, Finn’s father, and Alpha of the Redwood Pack said as he made his way into the room. He strolled toward them, his hair still messy from whatever he’d been doing upstairs with Melanie. The strain around his eyes wasn’t easy to see, but Finn had spent his whole life studying his father to ensure one day he’d become the Alpha he needed to be. The past year had been hell on all of them, but the Alphas had borne the worst strain. They had to balance the line of politics and war, and yet ensure their Pack felt safe within the den wards. It wasn’t an easy task, and as time moved forward, Finn wasn’t sure the task would be possible.

“Uncle Kade,” Brie said with a smile. Kade opened his arms, and Brie stepped right into them. Some of the tension in the Alpha’s shoulders eased, and Finn held back a smile. Sometimes, Finn wasn’t sure Brie was aware of what she could do with her submissive nature, but right then, he had a feeling his cousin knew exactly what she was doing. After all, she was married to an Alpha.

Kade pulled away and ran a hand through his hair. “We’re not bringing in everyone today, just a few of us since Gideon agreed not to bring his whole Pack onto our land. That means it’s pretty much the few of us in this room. We’ll let the others know what we come up with, and frankly, won’t make any new decisions without them, but we still need to talk.”

Charlotte frowned. “Then why am I here? I mean, not that I mind being included, but I don’t hold a title in the Pack. I’m just me.”

Finn snorted. “There’s nothing just about you.”

She grinned at him, a rare true smile.

Kade snorted. “You’re here because you’re part of our future generation, and you’re best friends with Finn. He might need you after the talk we have today.”

At that cryptic statement, his father left the room, presumably to go to the meeting area where Gideon would show up. Finn stood there, his eyes wide. “Why would I need you, Charlotte? What the hell is going on?”

He looked toward Brie, who winced. “What, Brie?”

“I don’t know everything, but you know this isn’t the first meeting we’ve had, right? There are plans being set it motion, and whatever happens today, know that I love you and will support you no matter what.”

A sense of foreboding slid over his skin. “Brie.”

She shook her head. “I can’t. Come on to the back. The others will be in the room by now. I wanted to come through before the actual meeting because I miss you guys and I’d rather be here as family first before I’m the Alpha’s mate.”

She took Charlotte’s hand and made her way to the back of the house, leaving Finn there, speechless. The strength she held constantly surprised him, though he knew it shouldn’t. It would take the strength of a thousand dominant wolves for a submissive wolf to handle and mate with an Alpha. Brie had that reserve of strength in spades.

Finn took a deep breath and moved toward where the others were gathering. His mind tried to follow the path where his father would lead him, but he couldn’t think clearly. Not when the exotic and floral scent that was the woman he couldn’t have filled his nostrils, sending the human half of him into straight lust. Jesus, he couldn’t think with her around, couldn’t breathe. It wasn’t a mating bond—that much he knew—but that damned itch wouldn’t leave him the f*ck alone.

He rolled his shoulders, begged his cock to keep down, and walked through the door to the meeting room.

There she was.

All dark hair and bright blue eyes. Her strong cheekbones stood out, her jaw set as she met his gaze. Hell, she hated him, and he didn’t know why. He hadn’t done a thing to hurt her, and yet it looked like she wanted to snap his spine.