Ace stands frozen, Jun's words ringing in his ears.
Kieran.
The name alone stirs a complicated mess of emotions inside him.
Kieran, the arrogant, stubborn Alpha. The one who had rejected Ace's worth time and time again. The one who had hurt him, intentionally or not.
But also_ Kieran, the leader. The rightful Alpha of their pack. The man Ace had followed for long, respected, even when it frustrated him. Looked up to.
This is not about them, but the pack, the wellbeing of the werewolf world.
And now, he was in trouble.
Ace tightens his grip on the strap of his bag, his mind warring with itself.
Would it be so bad if Kieran lost?
Would it be so bad if someone else took his place?
Ace exhales sharply, his jaw clenching. Yes, it would.
Because no matter how much he is mad at Kieran, no matter how much anger lingers between them, the truth is undeniable: Kieran is the strongest Alpha.
The pack needs him.