Declan shook his head. "I don't have it. It's not a guarantee just because you come from an older family. Alpha Borns are really rare. They are usually bigger, stronger, smarter, faster, and more charismatic than their peers."
Meryn looked up at her mate. "Are you one?"
Aiden nodded. "Yes. It was one of the reasons Edward Carthage tried so hard to kill me. He knew it was simply a matter of time before I took over as Unit Commander."
"Byron?" she asked.
Aiden grinned and shook his head. "No, he's just that good."
Meryn scowled. "I miss him."
Aiden pulled Meryn into his lap. "I know baby. We'll see him soon."
Ellie looked over at Demetrio. "How did you know he was Alpha Born downstairs?"
Demetrio tapped his neck. "He used something we call the Alpha Voice. He can command the respect and obedience of those around him. For that very reason, Alpha Borns are coveted. They are given every opportunity and the finest education. It is almost a given that they become the leaders of our people."
Grant gave a harsh laugh. "Finest education? My father didn't believe a warrior needed to know how to read. I was illiterate until I came here. Aaron Culpepper on Level Six taught me how to read. Hell, I ate nothing but the kebobs, meat pies, and sandwiches for weeks after I got here because I didn't have the manual dexterity to use a fork after having lived as a wolf for twenty years. Does that sound like a glorious leader to you?" The room was quiet as everyone seemed shocked at his admission.
"Actually, it does," Meryn answered.
Grant's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"
Meryn held up her hand and lifted one finger. "You survived on your own when you were a kid, in like real freaking nature, for decades." She held up a second finger. "You taught yourself how to fucking walk, talk, and read. Do you know how smart you have to be to do that?" She lifted a third finger. "You went through hell and came out a kickass warrior ranked third in a pillar city. Not to mention, you did all this to save your mom, so yeah, that sounds like someone I'd listen to, unlike those douchebag Founding Family members that lick each other's assholes."
Aiden rested his forehead against the back of Meryn's head to avoid looking around the room. Elizabeth giggled as Adora stared at the small woman.
Demetrio chuckled. "That, young lady, is absolutely right."
"How did his father miss the fact his own son was an Alpha Born?" Elizabeth asked.
"I do not think he did, my love," Gavriel answered.
"He knew?" Grant asked no one in particular.
Aiden nodded. "I believe he knew you were Alpha Born and seized the first opportunity to drive you away. If he had waited much longer, you would have been too strong and integrated in the pack. Like Carthage, he knew you would take over as Alpha as soon as you came of age. He probably didn't want to give that up."
Demetrio stood. "By our laws, I will need to report to our local packs here in the Southwest that we have an Alpha Born living amongst us. I'm sure they'll have no problem turning over regional leadership to you and combining packs."
Grant's mouth dropped open. "No," he whispered. He shook his head repeatedly. "No. I don't want to lead. I don't want to be like him. I just want to stay a unit warrior."
Adriel looked at Grant with sympathy in his eyes. "This is something you are born to."
Magnus nodded. "I have been struggling for so long trying to do the best for the city, only to discover so much talent in my midst. We could really use someone like you leading and protecting the local packs."
"No," Grant repeated.
Demetrio looked down at him, confused. "But you're an Alpha Born."
Grant stood, chest heaving. "I'm a monster that spent my formative years fighting tooth and claw in the wild. I never learned the human concepts of family or love. Trust me, Bolivar, I am the last person you want as a leader."
"If he doesn't want to lead, he shouldn't have to," Meryn chimed in.
"It doesn't work that way baby," Aiden replied.
Declan looked torn. "Grant..."
"No. I will do my duty as a warrior, but I will never lead." With clenched fists, he strode from the room.