Page 8 of Bubblegum Pop

“I bet you guys are so busy pumping those irons to make-up for your tiny dicks, eh?” I said. “I can’t even see any bite marks under all that muscle. I guess omegas take one sniff and drop you.”

His face instantly twisted into an ugly scowl. “You smell like fucking fruit; you haven’t got anything on me.”

I barked out a laugh. “What do you think pretty omegas prefer? Wet paint or passion fruit sweeter than honey. Work it out, moron. You’ve got nothing going for you.”

“Zeus,” Apollo sing-songed quietly, his warning filled with amusement that fluttered around him. But his fingers still shot to my lower back, calmness pulsing through the bond, relaxing me. I could feel Odin taking notice from behind us as well.

Stan growled up at me. “How can you call yourself World’s Strongest Alpha when you’re bending over, taking it from a little bitch like him?”

I was trying to keep it contained, but no one, fucking no one, insulted my mate.

Anger burst from me the instant the words left his mouth. Yeah, Apollo fucked me every now and then, and it was fucking awesome. There was nothing like sharing the love.

“Interesting.” Apollo arched a brow, letting his aura seep out as his thumb kept up his soft strokes. “Because there’s nothing about any of you three that says ‘alpha’.” My gorgeous mate gave him a once over. “I’m surprised they even let you compete with an aura that weak.”

I picked up Apollo’s baton, pride beating between us as I grinned, baring my teeth.

“Bitch, you couldn’t even take me one-on-one. You need your pussy-ass girlfriends to come and help you.” I flicked my eyes to the other two alphas. “Poor you.”

I loved pissing people off like this. Odin and I won the tournament because of our strength, not our shit-talking, but I was a winner at both. I’d take this guy on to defend my title. I could stay level as long as Apollo was beside me.

Until Stan reached out and grabbed my mate.

I didn’t even think. Before he had a chance to wrap his fingers around Apollo’s arm, I swung my fist, slamming straight into Stan’s jaw. He shot backwards into two guys hanging out behind him, crashing to the floor, breaking a stool as he fell with a crack and a thump.

People jumped out of the way, shouting as they went, while a few looked on in mild interest. It seemed like the kind of place for fighting.

“Back the fuck off!” I growled, keeping my arm firm on Apollo. There was no way I was letting anyone near him. He was mine.

Odin’s energy pulsed through the shared bond. I could already feel him moving, but people were crowding in too closely. The twin bond let me sense where he was at all times, and it felt better to have my brother at my back.

I had to get Apollo to safety. I couldn’t let him get hurt. He might be our pack lead, and he could handle himself, but my raging instincts were cranking up to the max. Annihilate the fuckers and protect Apollo. That was all that was beating through me.

Pud reacted instantly, his fists flying, smacking me in the shoulder and knocking me back. Apollo yelled out in surprise as I accidentally crushed him against the bar. I didn’t need to hear the snap to know he’d broken his arm. His pain echoed in my own arm, and I grit my teeth at the sting. It wouldn’t affect my movements, but knowing my mate was injured kicked my instincts into overdrive.

I needed to protect him. My pride as an alpha demanded it.

I shoved myself forward, leaping for Pud, my fist laying straight into his stomach. With my back to Apollo, I could feel Odin pushing through the crowd to reach us. He’d stay with Apollo, and I was enjoying the thrill of the fight too much to stop.

Barton had a go, and even though his swing was shit, he still landed a shot near my throat. Choking fiercely, I backhanded him before he could make another move. It fucking hurt my knuckles, but it was satisfying how he staggered back, clutching his cheek.

I bristled, loving that, even with a broken arm, Apollo was horny as fuck as I fought for him. Odin and I won because of our sheer strength and determination, but it was also to make Apollo proud.

“Zeus!” Apollo screamed, fear thundering through our bond like a terrible storm. I just had time to spin around as the world suddenly slowed.

Horror drenched me as Stan jumped, a leg of the chair he’d splintered stuck between his palms, arms above his head, aiming straight for me.

All I could do was raise a hand as he flew towards me. There was nothing I could do. My gaze fled to Apollo, praying he was okay. He gripped the bar top, eyes wide, colour draining from his face.

Panic blasted through me, and it wasn’t mine.

There was a roar, my brother’s voice pounding around me as he flung himself in front of me.

All I saw was the alpha’s arms thrust forward before Odin’s back hit my chest, and we both stumbled to the floor.

I gasped, wind beaten out of me, pain exploding in my face. I thought I’d been hit.

Sandwiched between the beer-stained wooden floor and my brother’s thick body, I groaned. Odin slid off me, his back on the floor, and my head turned, landing on his face.