Page 21 of Forged Alliances
As Dax met the man’s eyes, understanding dawned on him as to why the Tribe would choose this trial. This wasn’t a free-for-all for any bastard setting their eye on his territory and people. Truth be told, anyone with a home wouldn’t fight as fiercely as those who were at risk of losing theirs. These battles would test his stamina and strength. They would also reaffirm his commitment to his pack and his willingness to last under the hurdles that came with leadership. Dax nodded, grabbing his pint and slamming it back as his mountain lion rumbled in response to the oncoming threat. He would defend the members of Silver Springs with his life—for them, he would endure.
The rest of the Tribe finished their pints, a chorus of gulps and the clatter of empty glasses as the bottoms slammed against the hardwood table. Sierra’s gaze hadn’t strayed from him, a curiosity in her eyes drawing him in. He’d been fighting for his place in his family and his pack for the entirety of his life—one more week wouldn’t break him. What he wasn’t used to was the solid support Sierra provided even when she didn’t say a damn word. All too quickly he’d come to see why her pack would follow her to their deaths.
“We’ll head out to investigate the pipe bomb issue involving your brother Drew, and then tomorrow morning we meet at the contested land for the first challengers,” Navi said. Her chair squeaked against the floor as she stood. At that, the rest of the Tribe rose with a couple of glances and nods in his direction.
“Thanks, Jess. I’ll see you at the matches,” Sierra said as she leaned in to begin grabbing the empties. Dax jumped in to help, and a second later Finn joined them. As fast as they’d arrived, the Tribe members wasted no time in exiting, their movements as silent as the predators which marked them. The moment the door clicked shut, all their sheer power departing, tension deflated from Dax in one quick sweep. He wasn’t the only one. Both Finn and Sierra lost the sharp edge to their movements.
“Now I get why people fear those fuckers,” Finn broke the silence of the room as he dragged the first batch of the glasses to the sink. “I’ve never met that sort of rugburn-raw intensity before. How do you know one of them?” he asked, casting a glance to Sierra.
Sierra shrugged. “Met her when I was younger, before I left Philly.”
Finn nodded at Dax. “Sucks about the whole tournament you’ve got to go through to earn your place.”
Dax’s brows lifted in surprise at the sympathy from the Red Rock who’d bared teeth at him mere days ago. “Just have to tangle with a mess of shifters out for blood. No biggie, right?”
Sierra’s lips turned up with a smirk. “Sorry, kitty cat. You might be outclassed. You’re talking shifters in the prime of their condition—full fighting capacity.”
Dax’s jaw clenched on instinct. “And I’m not?” He kept his voice as bland as possible even though the lion in him roared at the slight. Before his temper slipped, he caught the twinkle in her eye and put the pieces together. She goaded him on.
“All I’m saying is you need a couple of new moves if you’re going to take on other alphas in the region,” she said with a casual shrug.
“If you wanted to jump me, darling, all you needed to do was ask.” A broad grin rolled to his face.
Finn snorted and tossed his hand in the air. “I’ll let you two flirt in peace. Catch you guys bright and early—no way in hell I’m missing the fights.” The wolf shifter strolled out of the place post haste, his long strides carrying him far, fast. Not like Dax blamed him for vacating the premises. He’d be lying if he said the weight of his attraction to Sierra wasn’t as fluid as beer in a bar.
Sierra glanced his way, her gaze scorching. He couldn’t help the way he rose to attention at the mere sight of her, at the way the two of them stood in this tavern with no interruptions. The idea of hoisting her on the bar and fucking her into oblivion dominated most of his thoughts, since the troubles looming on his horizon would multiply if he gave them the chance.
“If you’re rusty on your techniques, we could spar at my place.” She trailed her fingertips along the tabletop as she spoke. Dax’s brows lifted because for the life of him, he couldn’t tell if she meant actual sparring or the between-the-sheets action that revved his engine right now. Her gaze pinned him on the spot, freezing the smile on his lips. “Before you spout some smartass line, I mean sparring. If you’re going to be fighting all week, you’d better be prepared, and I’ve got the lowdown on most of the beaters in this area.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you cared,” he drawled, leaning against one of the pillars. “Consider me flattered, Kanoska.” Not like he was lying there. That she’d spent time and effort on a screw-up like him in the first place meant more than she could ever know.
“Don’t think I’ll take it easy on you just because you have a pretty face,” Sierra called as she sauntered to the door, swinging her key ring around her finger with a jangle. Dax watched the sway of those hips, nearly salivating as he pushed off the pillar and hurried to follow. Despite the way she railed at him, she had to know she was driving him to her place with no ride home. If anything would test his resolve to keep the bond from turning into a noose around his neck, this would be it.
Those lithe legs for his freedom, apparently.