Page 10 of Alpha Games
“Welcome to the speed dating portion of the Alpha Games.” Jay stood in front of the cameras, using the cherry trees as a backdrop.
A few of the women whistled while I fidgeted with my hands in my lap.
Jay winked for the cameras. “In today’s episode, the roles are reversed. Our hunky Alphas will have five minutes with each Luna contestant to get to know them and have a chance of winning over their hearts. The bell will ring when it’s time to switch seats. Without further ado, I give you the Alphas of season seven.”
I was starting to get annoyed of the production cue cards. We got it.
We were supposed to clap.
I joined the applause, straining to get a better look from my table at the back of the gardens as the Alphas paraded down the path from the woods. My wolf was still pacing inside me, agitated and uneasy.
“You’re going to do great,”I mind-linked Trenton, being the perfect cheerleader as he strutted like a peacock down the line.
A shadow fell over my table and the breeze blew my way, raising bumps along my skin.
Finally.My wolf settled down with a content sigh as I gazed up into the dark brown eyes that haunted my dreams.
He pulled out the chair and rolled up the sleeves on his hunter green shirt, taking his time as my heart thumped hard against my ribs. The bell rang and Molly called out, “Five minutes on the clock.”
Ranger’s lips quirked to the side as he took his seat. “Did you miss me, beautiful?”
6
Ranger
She looked so prim and perfect sitting there in the lazy afternoon sun with her ankles crossed under the pleated folds of the white summer dress. Her pink lips were parted in a breathlessOand her scent warmed as her heart beat faster.
I made a mental note to have the cheetah shifter pack the dress to come home with us. One day, I was going to bend her over while she was wearing it.
Aspen blinked up at me with big brown eyes as I adjusted myself under the table and leaned back against the too small chair. My wolf let out a long sigh and relaxed for the first time today.
“Do you have questions for me?” I nodded at the page she had in front of her, trying to give her something else to focus on. Her pulse wasn’t slowing. I could hear it. Touching would help ground her and soothe her worries, but I kept my hands on this side of the table to give her this experience.
Speed dating.
It sounded ridiculous.
I enjoyed taking my time.
“Questions. Right.” She coughed to clear her throat, staring at my lips. “What do you like to do for fun?”
“Let’s not start with that one.” I smirked. After the way she reacted when I brought up the safe word conversation the other day, I didn’t want to toss her straight into the deep end. I knew how to ease women into this life if they wanted to try it. Though I was having trouble recalling a single submissive’s face after meeting Aspen.
“That’s a safe question.” She frowned, looking to her list.
I smiled, knowing it wasn’t. “What doyoulike to do for fun?”
Her cheeks flushed as she glanced up at me and I had the sudden irrational urge to kill something if her idea of fun was anything like mine. I knew it was a double standard though so I kept my beast in check.
“I’m boring.” Aspen’s gaze flitted to the direction of the cameras. “I like my sleep and reading books and hanging out with my papa.”
Her bottom lip quivered when she said the last bit and I held my hand in a fist so I didn’t reach out to brush my thumb across it. My body wasn’t usually this reactive to stimuli, but this wasn’t a normal mating pair I was learning.
“Tell me about your papa. You speak of him fondly.”
Aspen sighed. “He’s the only family I have left. He runs a trap line for the pack and prison so he’s sort of a lone wolf except for me and a few drinking buddies. We don’t have much, but he never let me suffer while I was growing up. A mountain liongot his leg last summer, surprising him when it leapt from a tree, and it still hasn’t grown back. I worry so much about him.”
My beast started growling when tears filled her eyes. “Give me the shifter’s name and I’ll take care of it.”