Chapter 57 The threat

Chapter 57 The threat
Jeremy's POV

We both turned to look at him.

Benjamin's eyes moved to Margaret first. Just for a second. That dark smile still sitting on his face.

Then his gaze fixed on me.

Heavy. Steady. Like a man who had already won and was just waiting for the other person to figure it out.

"I'd go now." Margaret said.

She stood up. Smoothed her dress. Didn't look at either of us. Just walked away. Fast. Head straight. Like she wanted no part of whatever was about to happen.

I almost called after her.

Almost.

But I didn't.

Because Benjamin was already moving. Taking the space beside me like it had always been his. Like everything around here had always been his.

We stood for a long moment.

The couple that had been giggling at the far end of the garden was gone now. The two she-wolves had disappeared. Just us. Just me and my dead brother standing in the afternoon sun like this was normal. Like none of this was insane.

I spoke first.

"I have been thinking Benjamin."

"Have you now." He didn't look at me. Just looked out at the garden. Relaxed. Arms folded dramatically.

"Why do you really want the Alpha position back?"

He turned to look at me then. Slow. Like the question almost amused him.

"Because it was always mine." He said it simply. Like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I was supposed to be on that throne. From birth. From the very beginning. I was supposed to be the one they all bowed to." His jaw tightened slightly. "But I was foolish. Young and foolish. And I handed my birthright to you on a platter of gold."

"I didn't ask for any of it Benjamin."
"More reason I need it back." He said immediately.

"That's not how this works—"

"Then tell me." He turned to face me fully now. "How does it work Jeremy? Because from where I'm standing it looks very simple. What is mine should be returned to me. That is how it works."

"You can't just walk back in here after years and demand a whole pack like it's a borrowed coat."

"Why not?" His eyes didn't flinch. "Give me one good reason why not."

"Because this pack has people in it." I said. Firm. "Real people. Families. Children. Warriors who have bled for Lakewood. You can't just take that and hand it to someone who—"

"Someone who what?" His voice dropped. Quiet. Dangerous. "Someone who was murdered by his own brother? Someone who was betrayed? Someone who went over a cliff and still crawled back? You know I could do this the other way.... By now you should be dead If I want you gone. But for some reasons chivalry is not dead with me." He leaned forward. "So choose your next words carefully little brother."
I held his gaze.

"Do you even care about them?" I asked.
"The pack. The people inside these walls. Do you care even a little?"

He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he smiled.

And that smile told me everything before he even opened his mouth.

"And what do I care." He said. Flat. Like he was commenting on the weather. He moved closer. Lowered his voice to almost a whisper. "What concerns me about how the pack takes it. What concerns me about their feelings. Their little families." He tilted his head. "I only care about my birthright Jeremy. Not some pack."

The words landed like stones.

And just like that. Every question I had been carrying was answered.

I had told myself maybe he had changed. Maybe years away had softened something in him. Maybe underneath all the madness and the blade on my throat there was still the brother I remembered. The one who used to laugh loud and teach me how to hold a sword.

But no.

Benjamin didn't care about Lakewood before.

He didn't care about Lakewood now.
And he never would.

"You know what your problem is?" I said quietly.

"Enlighten me."

"You keep calling it your birthright. But a birthright is not just a title. It's not just a throne and a name." I looked at him. "It's responsibility. It's those people you just called a bad word. It's waking up every morning and carrying them. All of them. Their safety. Their future. Their children." I shook my head. "That's what being Alpha means. And you have never once in your life wanted any of that part."

Something flickered in his eyes.

Just for a second.

Then it was gone.

"Pretty speech." He said softly. "Really. Very moving." He slow clapped twice. Lazy and mocking. "Did you practice that or did it just come to you?"

"Benjamin—"

"No no." He moved closer, two steps from closing every possible space between us. Rolled his neck slowly. "I think you've said enough. And I think deep down you already know exactly how this ends." He looked down at me. "I'm sure by now you have your answer. Whether you transfer the position to its rightful owner." He paused. "Or whether you fight me."

I said nothing.

"And I'll give you a small piece of advice." He moved again. Now closing every breathing space between us. Eye level. His voice dropping to something almost gentle. "You already know what the second option looks like. You already know what I'm capable of. So think about it carefully." He held up one finger. "Annual werewolf night. That is when I want my position. Handed to me. Properly. In front of everyone." He tilted his head. "And in return I will make you one of the council. You'll still have a seat. Still have a voice. I'm not completely heartless."
He took two steps backward.
Smiled.

"Or." He spread his hands wide. "Ignore everything I just said. And see what comes after."

He turned immediately after saying that and walked away. Unhurried. Hands in his pockets. Like a man on a casual evening stroll.

I watched him go.

My jaw locked. My chest burning with everything I had swallowed in the last ten minutes.

The Annual werewolf night.