I sensed the choking fear that plagued my mate. The shifters around us bickered and argued. Jeb's people formed a protective line in front of him, daring any to cross it. Feeling another set of eyes on me, I turned to Branson, and our gazes collided.
"Don't," he whispered sadly. "Please."
How couldn't he see that we no longer had a choice?
I cleared my throat, wishing my vocal cords would suddenly snap and save me from what I was about to say. "I volunteer as Alpha."
Chapter Nineteen
Hollister
I closed my eyes. My breathing sounded loud in my head, and though there was more than enough noise around me, I could hear only my shuddering breaths. Each inhale a prayer, each exhale a plea.
All went unanswered.
Not even I had suspected this. But, I realized now, that was because I'd been able to imagine the depths these monsters would sink. They didn't care about their people; they cared about power.
The only thing Glendon Walker wanted was his son as Alpha. Whether Aver ended up hating him in the process was of no concern. This hadn't been about Aver for a very long time.
"He volunteers!" the first of the cries began, spilling into the night like dawn, chasing away a night of darkness.
"Aver Walker volunteers as Alpha!"
Glendon Walker didn't even have the decency to hide his smirk, but Jeb wasn't nearly as pleased. I guessed they'd never told him he was just a pawn.
"The decision is done. I have my Alpha's acceptance here, sealed until it is to be read at midnight." He lifted a scroll bound closed with a wax seal.
"And midnight is when this will go into effect, unless we have a better option for our people." Glendon gestured to where I stood with Aver. "Do we, son? Do we have a better option for our people?"
I wanted to tear his eyes out and make him eat them.
Aver kept a tight hold on my hand, but I wouldn't leave him now. I hated every second of this, but I'd also watched it all happen. This wasn't what Aver wanted.
His hold never loosened as we stepped through the crowd, people parting before us to make a direct route to the stage. We stood furthest from Jeb, near Julie, who smiled sadly.
"I didn't know. They kept this plan from me until right before this meeting. I voted against it." Her voice trembled with emotion.
"I know you did." Aver used his free hand to clap her shoulder. He squeezed reassuringly. "This was always going to happen."
That didn't sound correct. This wasn't like the fate that had bound us; this was all due to meddling. We stood where we did because of greed. Not destiny.
Aver caught my eye. His green gaze glittered, asking me to do one thing. Trust him.
I didn't want to. I wanted to fight. I wanted to bring down hellfire and vengeance. I wanted the Elders to hurt like they'd hurt so many others. But my alpha was asking me for trust, so I remained silent. I remained by his side. I had faith in our love and in him.
I didn't cower when we turned to face the crowd. I held my chin high.
"The Elders must decide!" John Walker yelled, remaining on Jeb's side of the platform.
"Of course, brother," Glendon replied. "Majority rules, as was decided earlier today." He angled so he addressed both the stage and the crowd. "My son, a true Walker alpha, has volunteered to lead us. Is there any who oppose?"
"I do!" Jeb barked.
If I didn't hate Glendon so much, I might have enjoyed the derisive stare he sent Jeb's way. "Any who officially belong to this pack at this moment? Does anyone meeting that criteria oppose?"
"I do!" John snarled. He might have given up on ever seeing Wyatt or Nash standing where Aver was, but he wouldn't let go of the promise of power.
"That makes one Elder opposed," Glendon said smoothly and turned to his mate. "Dear?"
Clarice hadn't looked at me once and still didn't. I could only assume the next plan those two had was to get rid of me. They could try. She folded her hands tightly in her lap and spoke with a soft, gentle voice that in no way matched the soul within. "I vote in favor."
"Julie?" Glendon barely glanced her way.
Julie's face crumpled. Her heartache was like a physical thing, weighing her down. But, she lifted her head, finding her sons in the crowd as she said with a clear, loud voice, "I vote in favor."
Glendon floated on the high of victory. His wide smile bared every one of his teeth, but I saw only fangs. "Then it is decided. Thank you, Jeb and the El Paso county pack, for offering to help in our time of need, but your services won't be needed after all." His voice boomed over the crowd.
Branson, Wyatt, and Nash stood tall among the rest, each of them fighting the urge to run. Aver must have asked silently for their trust as well, and it was only that trust that kept them from bolting.
Glendon stood beside his son and lifted his arm into the air. "Welcome your new Alpha, my son, Aver Walker."
The shifters pointed their faces to the sky and howled. Each was still in their human forms, but their howls combined, merging and harmonizing into a single unified sound. The warbling note was eerie but also hopeful. These people had been toyed with tonight, dangled over a fire as bait. But now, their savior was here. Aver. The Alpha.
"Do we need to wait until midnight before I am to take control?" Aver asked stiffly to both the pack and Elders.
"As current Interim Alpha, I don't see any reason to wait," Glendon replied, stepping back while waving his arm in a sweeping gesture in front of him. "You are in control. Lead us."
"Remove the outsiders from our territory," Aver commanded.
Instantly, a group of shifters, Tyrone included, jumped forward. The outside shifters must have known they were up against unbeatable odds because they left with only a slight scuffle.
Jeb screamed threats over his shoulder the entire time. Even when they'd disappeared to the front of the house, his screams echoed. "My Alpha will hear of this disrespect! He will not let it pass unchallenged!"
A group stayed with them to escort them off the territory while the rest returned. The excitement in the air was palpable. These people were ecstatic, and for a second, I couldn't hate what had happened, not when so many lives had been improved so rapidly.
That excitement didn't extend to the other Walkers. They stood huddled, mates tucked behind them as they faced the others. They wanted to run, but if they did, their family would never be the same. If they abandoned one of their own now, there wasn't any going back from that.
Tyrone took his place beside Paul, who at least had color in his face again.
"Talk to your people," Glendon murmured eagerly. "Reassure them."
"I know how to lead," Aver snapped.
Glendon's mouth tightened, but his gaze dropped with respect. "Yes, Alpha."
Aver stepped forward, continuing until the two of us stood on the very edge, looking out at the sea of anxious, hopeful faces. Aver took a deep breath. "I bet we never thought this would happen, huh?"
The conversational tone made it seem like they were sitting down for a chat. He didn't sound anything like how his father had, with that over-exaggerated boom. Aver's words were quiet and unassuming, like a true leader. A few in the pack chuckled.