Free Wolf Bite by Heather Long Page B

masculine authority and wasn’t limited to that of a mated pair. Me-Maw ruled her family and her mate died many years before. That she had outlived him was something of wonder. “Oh, and there are Enforcers, outside of all pack structures who do not answer to any one Alpha. They’re like the Feds to the Hunters local cops.”
    She liked that analogy, because it fit.
    “So you understand the basic foundation,” he said, contemplation in his tone. “Wolves are, by our nature, social.”
    Yes, she was very well aware of that fact.
    “Even humans have a social pecking order, wolves are just a little more direct about it. The structure of pack allows us to be together, to offer protection for the vulnerable amongst us and to maintain our laws. We need structure, particularly among the dominants.” None of this was news to her, but Mason’s husky voice taking on an almost teaching cadence? That was kind of sexy.
    “The rule of an Alpha is for life. He or she may only be replaced in one of two ways. Natural selection or surrender.”
    “Natural selection? Death?” She couldn’t suppress her shiver and Mason caught a sheet to drag up and wrap around her.
    “Yes, natural or violent.”
    “Someone challenges the Alpha. They win, they become Alpha.”
    “Yes.” Mason nodded. “If they lose, they die. To challenge means one feels ready to lead or at least that you will not follow any longer. An Alpha cannot afford to leave a challenger alive.” Darkness crowded in his words. His father had challenged Toman.
    Toman had killed him.
    Rubbing her cheek against him in sympathy, she whispered, “What if the Alpha dies from natural causes?”
    Another long pause. “That has only happened once in recent history and it’s a time of deep social unrest within the pack. When an Alpha is beloved, even when he is in failing health, those who are strongest around him will band together to keep him safe.” His voice softened further. “It matters little if he doesn’t possess the physical capabilities of protecting them any longer, his wisdom and love are for the good of the whole pack, so those who are strong will not challenge his leadership. When he passes, the dominants will reassert themselves. Those who contend for leadership will fight—not always to the death, but sometimes. The last one standing, the one who engenders the most loyalty, he or she will become Alpha.”
    “You’re talking about Serafina Andre.” Tales of the Delta Crescent Alpha’s rise had been gossip fodder for weeks in Willow Bend. Serafina’s father had ruled the pack and had been much revered and respected, even from afar. His death had been a cause for mourning and, while the child of an Alpha didn’t automatically inherit, Serafina was one of the dominants that banded around her father in his last days. After his death, she’d ultimately beaten every challenger.
    “Yes.” Was that a hint of a smile in his voice? She wanted to look up and see, but she didn’t dare interrupt him as long as he was in a sharing mood. He hadn’t yet gotten to the Lone Wolf part.
    “So that’s natural and violent. What about surrender?”
    Mason sighed. “Some Alphas recognize when the time has come for them. Perhaps they are tired of leading or their leadership has not helped the pack or any of a number of other reasons. They may handpick a trusted second to challenge them. They fight, the Alpha submits, surrendering their control of the pack.”
    “And the challenger doesn’t kill the old Alpha?”
    “Usually. The surrender is enough for the pack. Sometimes out of kindness, if the older Alpha seems to have gone mad or is ailing. It is usually a decision made between the Alpha and the second when they are told to challenge him. Either way, a new Alpha is selected and all the dominants must swear to him.” A bloodless passing of the crown seemed almost too reasonable, yet most of the wolves she’d grown up with were too interested in caring for those