Read Online Blood Challenge by Kit Tunstall - Free Book Online

sometimes.”
    Ellie gave her a smile, but didn’t reply. What could she say to that, besides some useless platitude?
    “Ivan took Bianca as his mate.”
    “Had Victor died?”
    Golatia resumed her slow gait. “No. The Pack’s way of isolating themselves has led to less growth among our people. Fewer babies are born, and there are fewer possibilities for mates. Why, Lia is the fourth cousin of Rica, and everyone assumed she would be his mate, until…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “For some reason, we have more boys than girls born, which makes it even harder to find a mate. Sometimes, brothers or friends share the same wife.”
    “Fraternal polyandry,” Ellie said under her breath.
    “What?”
    “It’s called fraternal polyandry…rather, it is among brothers sharing a wife. I suppose it would just be polyandry when it involves friends.” She bit her lip as a disconcerting thought occurred to her. “Will Rica and Davinia mate someday?”
    “No. There can be no question about the paternity of the Alpha’s first son, since the first son is the successor, unless another male in the Pack challenges during the Succession Ceremony. The next Beta is usually the previous Alpha’s second son, but he doesn’t have to be his biological offspring. He only has to be claimed by the Alpha. Bianca and Victor already had Peter when Ivan joined with her, so it caused no conflict about inheritance rights.” Golatia’s tone lowered. “You do not like the idea of sharing him, do you?”
    She averted her eyes, although she knew the other woman couldn’t see her expression in the dark. She strove for a distant tone. “I don’t know what you mean, Golatia. It looks like we’re near your home.”
    The older woman cackled. “If you are looking for him, there’s a meeting tonight. You know the spot.”
    “Is there anything you don’t know?” she asked, with mingled exasperation and amusement.
    “Oh, this and that, dear.” Golatia stopped at her gate, pausing to hug her. “Thank you for the escort home.” She turned and shuffled up the walk.
    Ellie stopped by the gate, making sure Golatia made it inside. Her feet itched to run to the meeting, but her head was trying to caution her against it. She didn’t want to incur Rica’s anger again, after their hesitant truce. She tried telling herself it was none of her business.
    Golatia got to the porch and turned around. Her voice carried through the blowing wind. “They’re discussing you and Davinia at this meeting.”
    Ellie struggled to sound disinterested. “Really? I’m sure Rica will settle whatever problem there is.”
    The older woman cackled. “It’s already settled, Ellie. Call on me when you need a Guardian.” She pushed open her front door and stepped inside with surprising speed, not allowing Ellie time to question the strange statement.
    She turned and trudged across the square, telling herself she wasn’t going to spy on the meeting. She was still telling herself that as she passed Viggo and Davinia’s, making her way by memory to the clearing where the Pack met.
     
    * * * * *
    She took up position behind the tree she had used before, peering out with careful movements, determined not to attract Rica’s attention again. She looked down into the clearing, seeing a larger turnout even than at the last meeting. There were children present this time. It looked like they had packed more than two hundred people into the clearing. Was that everyone except Davinia, Golatia, and herself?
    There was an audible grumble of dissent sweeping the crowd. Whatever they were protesting, Rica didn’t seem to care. He stood resolutely in the center of the clearing, backlit by the roaring fire. Naked from the waist up, his skin shone with the sheen of perspiration, but he seemed unaffected by the heat. Viggo stood nearby, and he was shirtless and sweating. He looked nervous.
    “Don’t grumble like old women. If you have a challenge, speak it now.”
    The man