Page 24 of Alpha Games

The boulder moved another inch.

I was going toearnthat rose from my mate.

And then I’d win the favor. Use it on that pretentious little prick. Take what was owed. Get my mate and my pack the hell away from this show.

A camera drone buzzed by my face and I smacked it away, growling as I shoved my shoulder into the heavy boulder and moved it again.

Sweat matted my fur and my arms were shaking as the boulder rocked backwards. My boots dug deeper into the earth as I struggled against the massive rock. Another push and it caught steady, holding still on even ground.

My vision doubled with my wolf’s as we saw the finish line marked with chalk up ahead.

Panting, I dropped my hands to my knees and turned to look over my shoulder. John was coming up behind me. There was a dirt trail through the grass outlining how far I’d come. A quick count showed all the other Alphas were moving their rocks now.

I grinned through my fangs, turning back to the boulder. It wasn’t over yet. Hundreds of nights in the ring and I’d learned the hard way that you don’t quituntil the final bell. All those nights spent fighting. The challenge was ingrained and beaten into me.

I was going to win.

But this time, there was someone watching.

The thought of Aspen looking down from the cliff gave me the strength to push the stupid fucking boulder again.

11

Aspen

The noon sun beat down on my head as the wind continued its assault on the mountain cliff. I knew I should go inside the tents and spend time with the other females. I kept forgetting the reason I was here. To get Trenton through the Alpha Games. I’m sure that also included helping him find a mate or at least convincing a few of them to give him a chance.

But I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the valley below.

He was the first across the mud pit obstacle, maneuvering the treacherous suspended ropes like he was playing on the monkey bars, and he was leading the pack of Alphas in pushing those giant boulders up the hill. They had one final challenge after this one and I couldn’t help but chant for him under my breath.

Ranger was going to win.

My wolf howled her approval, already deeming him a worthy mate.

And while I wouldn’t go that far, there was a burning in my chest and my stomach was twisted in knots, needing to be here to cheer for him.

It was physically painful to look away and force myself to find Trenton. He was a few paces behind Ranger, struggling with his own rock. Trenton looked like a child from this angle while Ranger was a glorious beastly male.

The rose had gone limp and sweaty in my hand. I wasn’t sure why I was still clutching to it. There wereplenty more inside the tents along with food and water and chairs.

“Luna, why don’t you come get something to eat?” Ivan scared the crap out of me with his deep voice. I hadn’t realized he was still outside.

“I’m fine,” I lied.

He had the decency to pretend not to smell it. “I can’t go inside unless you do and I’m thirsty.”

“Why didn’t you say something earlier?” I cried, rushing back to the tent and shoving at his massive frame. “Get out of the sun. I’ll get you a drink.”

Despite his grumbling protests, I slipped over to the coolers and grabbed us each a bottle of water. He watched me check the seal on mine with a nod of approval and we both cheered, tapping the plastic bottles together as the tent blocked us from the wind.

Inside the tent were a few screens facing round tables and plastic chairs where the events of the course were being shown as if they weren’t happening in real life below us. At the back were rectangle tables loaded with cut deli sandwiches, bags of chips, cookie trays, and bowls of fruit.

“I’ll taste test some lunch for you if you’re hungry,” Ivan spoke low enough that the shifter females around us could barely hear over the video feed and wind whipping at the flaps of the tent.

“It’s alright. I’ll grab some chips.” I nudged him forward. “You get something to eat though.”

“Aspen! Over here.” Fallon waved as I plucked a bag of chips from the counter. Hopefully Ivan would eat and take a break. I wouldn’t have made him stand out there if I knew he was still on duty and watching me.