She threw her arms up and used the last of her energy to jump when the ground ended.

The dive into the water was more similar to a belly flop. Icy coldness wrapped around her body as she sank under the surface. The river’s current shoved her deeper.

* * * * *

Lorn kept to the corner of the room while he sipped his third beer. It left a bad taste in his mouth but at least it was cold. His father met his stare from across the room and held it.

Anger still plagued Lorn over their earlier discussion and he didn’t attempt to hide it. The older man finally shifted so they weren’t looking at each other any longer. It was a small concession that he’d won the contest of wills.

“Hey.”

He didn’t glance at his brother. “Enjoying the festivities?”

Lavos inched closer until their shoulders touched. “No. You look miserable.” Regret laced his voice.

“Never apologize.” He meant the words. “I’m glad you found your mate.”

“You just wish it hadn’t happened yet. I’d lie and say I felt the same, but she’s mine. I have to claim her. I would have already done it but you know those Lycans. They’ve got some strange customs. She’s got to pay respects to her alpha and their elders before she can leave to come live with me. I can’t wait to introduce you to her. She’s a sweetheart.”

Lorn pushed against his younger brother, a show of affection. “I’m happy for you.”

“I never doubted that.”

They both watched the newly mated couple sway when they stepped out into the center of the space cleared for dancing. The way they melted against each other and the love they shared wasn’t lost on anyone within sight. Guilt swept through Lorn at the resentment he felt once again.

Lavos took a deep breath but when he spoke, it was a whisper. “You could take him, Lorn. I’d forgive you. He couldn’t force you to follow tradition if you took charge of our family. Now would be the time to do it. You don’t have to mate some stranger.”

Lorn’s guts twisted. “Ladius wouldn’t accept his loss in status without making me kill him,” he admitted. He glanced at their father again but the other man was involved in a conversation with another clan member. “I do love him. I hate him as well, but he is our father. It would also break our mother’s heart and soul. She might not survive his death.”

“I know. I feel the same way. That’s the sad part. He’ll never modernize his thinking. All of the firsts are dinosaurs.”

Lorn didn’t agree. The first-generation VampLycans had founded the clans. Rules had been agreed upon and stuck to by the elders. They lived by honor—with one exception. Decker bent the rules—and created new ones—to suit his needs and desires. It sickened Lorn.

“The other clans are different,” Lorn pointed out. “We just got stuck with this one.”

“Thanks to our father, and ones like him, deciding to toss in with Decker. They’ll never let go of the past. Every single elder in this clan has listened to Decker’s bullshit for far too long. Old ways are better, according to him. He’s wrong.”

“It’s how Decker and his cronies keep control of the younger generations.”

“You shouldn’t be forced to take a mate.”

Lavos held his tongue.

“It’s not fair.”

“Life isn’t,” he muttered, taking another sip of the beer. “It’s just the way it is.”

“It’s time for you to leave the clan.”

Lorn turned his head to stare into eyes darker than his own. “I can’t.”

“Yes. You can. I’ve given this a lot of thought. There are two of us. I wasn’t groomed to be first son but I know your duties. Do you think I’d fail?”

“It’s not that.” He frowned. “You’d do well.”

“Then why stay? You’re going to be miserable if you allow our father to determine your future by picking your mate. Flee, Lorn. I’ll protect the weaker ones for you. I’ve watched you do it for years. They aren’t your responsibility.”

“It would be the worst thing I could do right now. Decker put our entire clan in danger.”

“That shit he pulled wasn’t expected but it works to your advantage. Think about it. His enforcers are too busy protecting his ass to care about what you do. You won’t have to worry about them tracking you down now.”

“I knew this day would come,” Lorn admitted. “Decker became too greedy not to make mistakes that would come back on him.”

“It shocked me. I knew he was crazy but not outright stupid. He usually does things underhandedly but that shit was blatant as fuck. I mean, to flat out attack another clan the way he did?”

“He got too arrogant.” Lorn glanced around to be sure they couldn’t be overheard. “Have you thought about the future of our clan?”

“Always.”

Lorn drank his beer, his gaze roaming the room to make sure no one drew too close without their notice. “Two things will happen. Either Decker will somehow regain control if he can find a way to bargain for his life with Lord Aveoth, or our clan will have no leader.”

“I’m hoping for the latter if those are the only two options. Everyone is doing well without Decker and his most brutal enforcers. I know I don’t want them to come back.”

Lorn hesitated and then faced his brother. “I spoke to Velder. He called.”

His brother paled. “When did this happen? Why did he contact you?”

“I snuck away to meet with him and a representative from each of the clans yesterday evening. Some of our people have expressed interest in leaving. They don’t feel safe here anymore, and they no longer want to live in fear.”

“That would tear our clan apart.”

“I know. That’s why I can’t leave.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m going to challenge Decker for leadership if he returns, or step up to take his position so our people have stability now that he’s gone. All the clan members we like will stay here if Decker and his supporters aren’t running things anymore.”

Lavos frowned. “It doesn’t have to be you.”

“Who else is strong enough to hold this clan together? These are our family and friends.” He turned his head and jerked his chin to the left. “The toughest male besides me is Nabby.”