The way she moved, confident and graceful, stirred something in him he wasn’t quite ready to examine too closely.
She was his rival, yes, but also something more.
A challenge, a counterpoint, a…possibility.
Shaking his head to clear it of such dangerous thoughts, Malcolm turned and headed back toward his house.
But even as they walked away from each other, moving in opposite directions, Larissa’s scent lingered, as if to remind him he hadn’t won yet.
CHAPTER 4
WHENLARISSA ARRIVED ATOPSunburst Mesa on the day Nick had appointed to discuss choosing the alpha, the atmosphere was almost carnivalesque, a stark contrast to the somber gatherings that had characterized Vincent’s reign.
Pack members milled about, their voices a cheerful buzz punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter.Some were setting up folding chairs, while others arranged tables laden with food and drinks.
That’s all new, Larissa thought as she cataloged every detail.Then again, this gathering serves multiple purposes.Yes, it’s about announcing how we’ll choose an alpha, but it’s also about healing.About reminding us what it means to be a pack.
She spotted Anders near one of the food tables, efficiently organizing the provisions.Conall and Quinton were engaged in what appeared to be a good-natured argument as they set up a canopy.But she didn’t see Malcolm anywhere.
As if summoned by her thoughts, Malcolm chose that moment to arrive.Larissa’s breath caught in her throat as she watched him climb the last few feet to the top of the mesa.The sunlight gilded his dark hair, and his movements were fluid and powerful, like a predator in his prime.
Stop it, Larissa chided herself, forcing her gaze away.He’s your rival, not your mate.
She busied herself with greeting other pack members, exchanging pleasantries and trying to gauge the mood.
Most of the wolf shifters she spoke to smiled and chatted with her.A few, particularly the older pack members, regarded her with both curiosity and wariness.Larissa made a mental note to pay special attention to winning over that demographic.
“Come on, everyone!I have a few things to say.”Nick’s voice echoed across the mesa, cutting through the chatter.
Larissa made her way to the front of the crowd, positioning herself where she could see both Nick and the rest of the pack.Malcolm’s presence off to her right tugged at her attention, but she kept her attention turned forward.
Nick stood before them, his stance relaxed but his eyes sharp as conversations died down to expectant silence.
Larissa picked up the mingled scents of her packmates—anxiety, excitement, and underneath it all, a lingering wariness that spoke of Vincent’s not-so-distant reign.
“I know you’ve all been thinking about the future leadership of our pack,” Nick said.“Both Malcolm and Larissa are capable candidates for alpha.After much consideration, I’ve decided the fairest way to choose between them is through a competition.”
Larissa’s pulse quickened, though she kept her expression carefully neutral.
Sarah stepped forward, paper and pencils in hand.“Each of you will suggest a category for the competition,” Nick continued.“Something that will demonstrate the qualities needed in a pack alpha.Write your suggestions down, and Sarah and I will eliminate any duplicates.Then we’ll draw four competition categories—plus a fifth to use as a tiebreaker, if necessary.”
As Sarah began distributing the materials, Larissa refused to look in Malcolm’s direction, focusing instead on the paper Sarah placed in her hand.
The scratch of pencils filled the air as pack members considered their suggestions, different expressions crossing their faces as they did so—some thoughtful, others almost mischievous.She wondered what challenges they might propose, what trials she would have to face to prove herself worthy.
When Sarah and Nick moved away to review the suggestions, the pack naturally broke into smaller groups around the refreshment tables.The smell of coffee and cinnamon rolls wafted through the air, but Larissa’s stomach was too tight with anticipation for her to eat.
“Nervous?”Conall asked, appearing at her elbow with Anders beside him.
“Calculating,” Larissa corrected, though they all knew it amounted to the same thing.
Anders snorted softly.“You would be.Already planning strategies for every possible challenge?”
“Wouldn’t you be?”she countered, knowing Anders’s pragmatic mind worked similarly to her own.
Across the mesa, she could see Malcolm chatting with Quinton and a few other pack members.His head was thrown back in laughter at something Quinton had said, the sound carrying on the breeze.Despite herself, Larissa found her gaze drawn to the strong line of his jaw, the easy confidence in his stance.
“He’s good with them,” Conall observed, following her gaze.“The younger wolves especially look up to him.”
