Chapter 6 Brandt #2
That last comment was from Joshua, the “leader” of a group of bears I was sure planned on challenging me.
“I’ll tell you why,” he continued, stepping forward in the middle of the room and demanding attention.
“Because it’s time for the Callaghans to step aside and allow a more competent family to lead you all. ”
“Your family?” someone else asked sarcastically.
Joshua growled and tossed a glare at him. “Perhaps, yes.”
“What happened to Dixon?” Zane asked, ignoring Joshua’s attempt to stir up the crowd.
I stepped down into the living room. Derrick followed, and Bo and Brennan closed in on my flank. “He was murdered. Left outside this house skinned and beheaded.”
“What the fuck,” Zane growled.
“Who did it?”
“We don’t know for sure—”
“There was a note with a single wolf print on it,” Brennan cut in. I glared at him, but he ignored me. “We’re already investigating.”
“Do you really think the Tik’a pack did this?” Elizabeth spoke up, showing me that she had a lot of potential as a strong mate.
“No,” I said.
“Bullshit,” Joshua shouted over the top of me. “They kill two of us in a week and leave a fucking note, and you don’t think it’s them?” He turned back to the rest of the clan. “We need to end this. Now!”
Many members, more than I would have liked, started to cheer. Emma walked over to my side and rested her hand on my back. It was the encouragement I needed to stay strong and focused. “Now is not the time to start a war in our backyard,” I said.
“War is already here,” Joshua yelled. “First, your father and now Dixon. Who’s next?” Again, he faced his supporters. “We need an alpha who will protect us at all costs. Not try to negotiate with murderers.”
Bo sauntered over and stood right in front of Joshua. The tall man looked down at him in surprise but didn’t move. “I nominate Brandt Callaghan to the position of alpha.”
“I second,” someone said.
“And I nominate Joshua Housten to the position of alpha,” Zane spoke with confidence, but his eyes held fear when he met my gaze.
“I second.” Joshua’s mate, Eliza, said.
I ground my jaw together but tried not to react. “Any other nominations?” I asked.
People looked around the room, waiting for someone else to step forward. But it was obvious relatively quickly that no one dared enter this contest.
Brennan cleared his throat. “As per tradition, a nominee must have ample support to participate in this challenge. Please choose.”
I moved to one side of the room and Joshua to the other.
One by one, each bear stepped in the middle and then took their place by our sides.
The division was about what I had expected.
My father had made some of our members angry with his restrictions and rules, and those bears decided it was time for a new face of leadership.
But one bear surprised us all. Julia, Joshua’s daughter, was one of the last to go.
She had spent a lot of time with me and Emma over her teenage years.
And as she wavered from side to side on her feet, struggling with her decision, I felt as proud of her as a father would.
She was coming into her own, and she wanted to make her own decision.
The fear was written all over her face, but then she straightened her shoulders and joined my side of the room.
Some couldn’t hide their gasps, and Joshua didn’t even try to hide his growl. “Get over here,” he commanded.
“No,” Julia said with a shaky voice. “I choose Brandt for alpha.”
“Get. Over. Here.” Joshua’s skin rippled with his grizzly.
“I won’t,” Julia whispered.
“She’s allowed to choose on her own,” I said. “Every single one of us has that right.”
Again, Joshua growled, a feral sound coming from his human mouth. But he didn’t argue. If he was going to be alpha, he needed to show that he would uphold our traditions.
Three more bears chose, and then Emma stepped forward. “No way!” Joshua objected. “She is not a part of this clan anymore!”
Emma visibly cringed, and my bear jumped into my throat. “She is my mate.”
“She left you.”
I stepped forward, only seeing red, but Bo and Brennan each grabbed one of my arms to stop me from tearing into Joshua right now. “She is my mate.”
“It’s okay, Brandt.” Emma held out her hand. “You know where I stand.”
“No!” I shouted. “You are a part of this clan, and you will be allowed to choose.”
“If she chooses, I will fight you right now,” Joshua challenged. He bared his teeth, showing me how serious he was.
“Sounds good to me,” I growled. The bones in my arms started to twitch, readying themselves for a change. This was not the way a challenge was supposed to happen, but I didn’t care. I wanted to kill Joshua for his attack on Emma.
“Brandt, no!” Emma stayed in the middle of the room but only faced me. “This is not the way to do this.” Then she turned to Joshua. “I support Brandt.” With that, she walked away and disappeared into the hallway that led to the bedrooms.
Joshua had the nerve to laugh and I almost lost it again. But Bo held me tight, and when Brennan left my side, Derrick took his place as my restrainer.
“The challenge will occur in two days. The place is to be determined by the challenger. Joshua?” Brennan asked.
“The clearing on the west side.”
Brennan nodded. “The challenge for Alpha will take place at Rainbow Meadow in two nights. It is only to occur between Brandt and Joshua and will go on until someone succumbs or until death.” Brennan shook his head before continuing.
“By rules of the clan, no one will interfere without the penalty of abolishment.”
Everyone nodded, fully understanding the importance of this challenge. The clan was evenly divided, which didn’t bode well for those left on the losing side in a few days. But that would be yet another task the alpha would have to deal with.
“Dixon’s funeral will be announced as soon as we deal with the sheriff’s office.”
His tone implied that we were all dismissed, but no one moved until Joshua finally decided to leave.
He brushed past me, nudging my shoulder like a schoolyard bully.
I didn’t react even though Bo and Derrick were ready to hold me back again.
Joshua was taller than me but I had more muscles. And my bear was bigger.
As everyone finally left, only Julia and my closest friends remained. “Brandt, can I stay here the next two nights?” she asked.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said.
“He’s not going to let it slide,” she whispered.
My stomach twisted for her. I was fortunate to have been raised by a father who disciplined only when necessary. It was rumored that Joshua beat every single one of his children into submission. And I had no doubt that’s how he planned on running our clan.
Tammy stepped up and wrapped her arm over Julia’s shoulder. “You know what? Why don’t you come to stay with me? I have a spare bedroom and just got a new comforter set.”
Julia smiled, and I thanked Tammy for the save. Of course, I wouldn’t mind Julia staying here, but that wasn’t the best idea given the alpha challenge situation. As I watched the two of them leave, a new round of dread tore up my stomach. “This is going to get ugly,” I mumbled to Bo.
“You shouldn’t worry. He’s a brawler. You’re a smart fighter. It will be over before it even begins.”
I could only wish I had that much confidence right now. “Where’s Emma?”
“She went for a walk,” Derrick said.
I didn’t know how he knew that exactly but the fear that she wouldn’t come back suddenly stabbed at my bear. “I should go find her.”
“No,” Brennan said. “We need to work on finding out who’s killing our people.”
“Well, you seem to have an opinion,” I snapped.
“I don’t think it was the Tik’a pack, but I don’t know who else it might be.”
Rubbing my hand through my hair, I shook my head and cracked my neck. “Fine,” I grumbled. I’d work with Brennan now and find Emma in a little bit.