Page 29 of Alpha Games
This was not how wolves should act. It was the way of cowards. The weakest destroying the strong. Those who were last attacking the wolves further ahead. It was this politically correct world now. This show. The humanized version of what packs should…
A rough hand landed on my shoulder.
“I know what the rules say.” John inhaled deeply, still trying to catch his breath. “And I don’t care. I owe you a favor and I’ll state that as my boon request.”
The snarling of my beast eased as I shrugged him off. “I won’t accept it. You won fair and square. Get what you came here for and I’ll take care of mine another way.”
“Are you sure?” John stood beside me as more of the Alphas came crashing through the finish line.
I clenched my jaw, nodding.
I’d lost.
That’s all there was to it.
“Ranger?” My name was a sweet question on the breeze and I turned to see Aspen standing there. Her brown eyes were blown wide with hunger and she trembled, clutching a limp rose to her chest.
My beast stopped pacing, stalking forward to collect his prize.
He hadn’t lost a damn thing.
13
Aspen
My body thrummed with anticipation as Ranger stalked toward me like the predator he was. I should have gone to check on Trenton, but I couldn’t force my feet to move.
He was a shifter. He’d heal.
Ranger didn’t have to save him.
I’d screamed when I realized what he was doing, putting himself in danger to rescue Trenton as those javelins peppered the earth around them. I hated this show and their complete disregard for life, knowing they’d do anything to increase the ratings.
Even now, the cameras circled around like vultures trying to squeeze out a few more action scenes between the contestants arguing over something down the line.
But Ranger ignored them, coming to me.
He’d saved Trenton and given up his lead.
Why would he do that?
For us.My wolf sighed dreamily.
Saving Trenton was not my first choice for a romantic gesture, but I wasn’t dense enough to not think it was sweet. Alpha Derek might not agree. I’d have to deal with that later. Right after Ranger stopped looking at me like I was his next meal. Adrenaline and testosterone pulsed from him, mixing with his heady Alpha power and making thehumming anticipation in my core spread throughout my limbs. The pull of his pheromones was magnetic. Intoxicating. Dangerous.
So very dangerous…
“Is that for me?” His deep voice had taken on a husky tone that made my beast purr as Ranger motioned to the rose in my hand.
I looked at it too as if seeing it for the first time. I’d ruined another one. The stem was bent and the petals wilting from being out in the hot sun.
Roses were stupid anyway.
I raised my chin. “Maybe.”
Ranger bit down on his lip like I’d said something funny. “It’s a sad excuse for a prize, but I’ll take it.”
“I didn’t say yes.” I held to the destroyed rose. “You can’t just take whatever you want.”