Chapter 2

SELENA’S POV

“The fucking bastard!” I muttered for the millionth time since I learned of Thane’s death. “Even in death, he has brought me nothing but stress and bad luck! Fuck!!!”

It’s been six months since Thane, the Alpha of Iron Claw Pack and also my mate, was found dead in a random motel room in what has to be one of the most embarrassing deaths ever for an alpha.

Being found naked with your heart missing from your chest, that was just the worst. And of course, I was the one dealing with the fallout.

“Well, like I said,” a voice said behind me. “We just have to take it one step at a time.”

I turned around, and sure enough, Carisi stood there. He was wearing a leather jacket and fitted pants that were ripped at the knees. He leaned against the wall as he stared at me. Carisi had been Thane’s right-hand man and top General in Iron Claw. And with his death, and me as his mate, I took over leadership of the pack. Now, Carisi was also my top General.

But then, I didn’t really have a choice in the matter because never in a million years did I ever imagine I was going to take power.

“I didn’t ask for this, Carisi,” I said as I looked away from him and walked across the room to where a full-length mirror stood. “I don’t want any of this.”

“We don’t really ask for anything, Selena. That’s fate, fate makes the decisions, and we just go along. Besides, you always knew this could happen when you chose to mate with an alpha. If he died, leadership automatically shifted to you; that’s how it’s always been done.”

“Oh, please, I didn’t choose this. I was claimed by Thane. It wasn’t my choice.”

“Well, we’re here now. And we have to deal with the shitstorm that’s coming our way.”

Carisi was right, a shitstorm was coming our way. Thane had been dead for all of six months, and all through, the pack had been hanging in the balance. I had to keep control of my wolves and keep them in check, even though many of them didn’t believe I deserved to be in power.