Chapter 87 Uneasy Lies the Head
Dax slammed his fist into the wall hard enough to make the lamps tremble.
“A fight to the death?!” he snapped, spinning on Ryker. “How could you accept that?”
Ryker stood near the window, looking cold as he stared outside. “Because the Una’Rah was invoked,” he said calmly.
“What?! Are you kidding me? Samson just can't say a stupid word and you play along.”
“You know the laws of Ashvale. Once those words are spoken before a pack, it cannot be reversed.”
“That’s bullshit,” Dax shot back. “There has to be another way. Some loophole or some ancient clause you conveniently forgot to mention.”
“There isn’t,” Ryker replied. His voice was steady, but his jaw was tightly clenched. “It’s older than all of us. If I refuse, I look weak. If I run, I confirm everything Samson said.”
Dax laughed bitterly. “So you’re just going to let a madman drag you into the dirt because of ‘tradition’?”
“It is an ancient law in the entire werewolf territory. What kind of leader will I be if I nullify it?”
“You'll be a sane man who's outgrown such nonsense ancient bullshit,” Dax retorted.
Ryker folded his arms and leaned against the wall, shoving both hands in his pockets. “Samson knows exactly what he's doing. You can't even call him stupid.”
“No, but I might call you stupid for playing along.”
“Watch your words, little brother,” he snapped, and Dax laughed loudly.
“Isn't it crazy that you always remind me of my place whenever I try to speak some sense into you?”
“Must everything become a fight with you?! I have so much on my plate. Don't add to it!” Ryker snapped impatiently.
“Then act accordingly! This stupid law is going to affect the entire IronFangs, and it's not your choice to make alone.”
Before Ryker could answer, the door opened.
Rex stepped in, and she immediately noticed the tension between both of them. “Is this a good time?” she asked.
Dax shrugged. “How about you ask your dear Alpha?”
“It's fine. What do you want, Rex?” Ryker asked coldly.
She held her hands up. “I don't know what this is, but please don't drag me into it.”
Ryker sighed and rubbed his face. “I'm sorry. What's it?”
“The elders are asking for you,” she said to Ryker. “They’ve convened for the final decision.”
Dax scoffed. “You don’t have to go. Fuck the elders. Fuck the stupid man. Fuck all of them. This is your life and your pack. You have the final say.”
Rex shook her head slowly. “That’s exactly what Samson wants,” she said. “He wants Ryker to look like a ruthless tyrant who ignores the pack’s laws when they inconvenience him.”
Silence fell, and Dax began to finally listen.
Rex continued gently, “If he doesn’t respond, the pack will begin to question his every decision and command. You know how werewolves are when it comes to traditions. If he does as the elders agree, at least the rules are followed.”
“Whatever, I still don't think this is a good idea. There's another way,” Dax insisted.
Ryker exhaled through his nose, then nodded once. “I’ll hear them.”
He moved toward the door, but Dax stepped into his path.
“Whatever happens,” Dax said quietly, not even bothering to hide his anger, “Samson cannot win. Swear it to me.”
Ryker met his brother’s gaze. “My promise is to keep the pack safe and lawful.”
“That’s not what I asked,” Dax said.
Ryker didn’t answer. He turned and left, the door closing behind him with a final click.
“Did you guys fight again?” Rex asked, and he shrugged.
“It's not much of a fight if he keeps reminding me that he's the king and I'm just his little brother.”
“Come on. The Alpha means well. I know it,” Rex tried to explain, but Dax held up his hands.
“I don't care. It doesn't matter. I just need him to keep the pack safe.”
Moments later, Lyra stepped into the room.
Her face was pale, eyes bright with fear. “You have to talk to your brother,” she said to Dax urgently. “He can’t possibly do this.”
Dax ran a hand through his hair. “You know Ryker,” he said. “He doesn’t listen to anyone.”
“Then he’ll listen to me?” Lyra said and scoffed. “He will think I'm being too emotional.”
“You both should be getting well, not bothering over Ryker and his lily-livered choices.”
Rex cleared her throat, and Dax shrugged. “I just said the truth. We all know Ryker will do anything just to make the pack think he's a good leader. And that alone, in my opinion, is weakness.”
Rex didn't like the sound of it, but she wasn't ready to pick a fight either. “You know, being an Alpha is very different from being a normal pack member. Maybe if roles were reversed, you'd know why Ryker does the things he does.”
Dax couldn't reply to that, and Rex glanced between them. “I’m going to hear the council’s decision,” she said softly and slipped out.
The room felt heavier once she was gone.
“How are you doing?” he asked, looking deep into her eyes.
“I'm fine. The healers said I'll be ready to go back to war in a few days,” she teased.
“That's not what I mean. Are you really okay?”
She looked away, but he grabbed her hands. “This has nothing to do with you,” he said firmly. “Don’t do that thing where you carry everyone’s guilt on your back.”
She shook her head. “That’s a lie. Everything that’s happening started when I came back.”
Dax studied her. “Then why did you pack your bags?” he asked quietly. “Were you really going to leave?”
Lyra’s lips parted, then closed again. “Maybe.”
Dax’s voice softened. “When will you ever think of IronFangs as your home?”
She didn’t know how to answer.
The door opened.
Ryker stepped back inside.
“Ryker, how did it go?” she asked.
But he didn't reply and went straight to Lyra. “Did you really pack up to leave?”
She held her breath and looked down at the floor.
“I see,” he said coolly. “You’re eager to get rid of me, then.”
“It’s not like that,” she said quickly. “I was trying to avoid all this. The fighting and the bloodshed that will surely come—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Ryker interrupted. “The challenge stands.”
She looked up sharply. “What do you mean?”
“The council has scheduled the fight,” Ryker said. “Tomorrow.”
The word hit her like a blow.
“Tomorrow?” Lyra whispered.
“Yes,” he said. “Tomorrow, I’ll fight to defend my place as Alpha. Or die trying.”