We arrive back at camp, and I know immediately that something is wrong. Rafael's second in command, Matthew is waiting for us, and he looks anxious.
"Something's happened," he says.
"What?" Rafael asks. "What's wrong?"
"It's the old alpha. He's refusing to accept the results of the challenge. He wants a rematch."
"He can't do that," I say. "There are rules. You can't redo a challenge unless..."
I trail off then. I know in this moment what's happening, and it's the last thing I want.
"Unless it's a fight to the death," Matthew says, finishing my sentence.
"No," I say. "No, that can't be it."
But it is. If the old alpha doesn't recognize Rafael as the rightful alpha, then he'll have to kill him. And if he doesn't...
I can't think about it. I don't want to think about it.
"It doesn
