Page 107 of Luna Trials
It was too much. It was not enough. A crashing wave of desire and need. I couldn’t think clearly. My head was spinning.
All I knew was that he was mine.
My wolf howled in triumph and I swear on the Goddess his own beast howled in response.
I could hear it in my bones. In every fiber of my being. Ranger lifted me back to my feet to stand, never breaking our kiss, and I couldn’t let go either.
Now that I’d tasted him, I wanted more.
Catcalls and whistles filled the ballroom and I broke our kiss, shoving Ranger back. My chest heaved as I looked into his eyes, feeling the cameras on us, the lights blazing above, and hearing the cheers from the other contestants.
My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach from the knowledge of what he’d–what we’d–done.
And the arrogant asshole just smirked at me. “Guess I’ll see you in the Alpha Games, beautiful.”
*
Knowing it was the last time I’d enter the elimination room filled me with a numb sort of detachment. It’d only been a couple of weeks, but I felt different than the woman who’d first come here. I was still angry. But now I was angry enough to prove I belonged and that no one was going to scare me off this stupid show.
The other twenty-two contestants took their seats. One of the PAs checked my microphone and I made my way to the front row, ignoring the whispers. At least I could weed out the contestants who hadn’t tried to poison me with the way they accused me of hurting Opal. It was the silent ones I made sure to stare directly in the eye, letting them know I was looking.
“Hey.” Fallon sat down beside me as we waited for the makeup team to finish their touches on Jay. “So… You and my brother.”
The memory of the kiss last night flushed my cheeks and warmed parts of me that still ached long after the music died down and the ballroom cleared out. I laid awake tossing and turning, trying to make sense of what was happening to me.
I think I had an idea, but it wasn’t the time to flesh it out.
“It was just for the cameras,” I assured her, still trying to reassure myself.
“Sure it was.” Fallon smiled and got comfortable in her spot beside me. “We’re going to have to be careful now, okay?”
I turned to ask why, but Molly clapped her hands and called for our attention.
Jay Renfro took center stage on his mark. The lights dimmed. And the director yelled, “Action.”
37
Ranger
Blood splattered against the rich earth as I shook off the brass knuckles on my fist. Claws were easier to clean and handle, but I sort of liked the theatrical effect when their eyes widened at seeing the antique device.
“We didn’t have to do this the hard way.” I squatted down so I was eye level with the tiger shifter who was struggling to right himself against the pine tree. “But you wanted to play games. I don’t like to play games. So I’ll try this one more time and then I’m done playing. The cheetah does not owe you another dime. His debt is paid in full. You and your boss can crawl back to the litterbox you came from.”
The tiger shifter squinted up at me through a swollen eye. I waited. He finally nodded.
“That wasn’t so hard.” I helped him to his feet and even brushed off his suit jacket.
He wasted no time in running back to the resort parking lot where Beau and Foster would be watching to ensure he met no one else before heading down the mountain.
Mattox stood with his arms crossed, leaning against a tree. “Since when do you play with cats?”
“Since my mate picked up a stray with a gambling problem.” I cleaned the brass knuckles onthe dirt and tossed them over for Mattox to catch. “Everything set up?”
“We’re running a perimeter sweep now, but we’re not the only team in these woods. I told you we should have gotten here sooner.” Mattox pocketed the knuckles into his jeans.
I grabbed his shoulder, giving him a little affectionate shake. “It’s good to see you too.”
“Admit it. You missed us.” He punched my arm as his goofy face split into a grin.