Page 50 of Alpha Games

“Sunflowers?” Fallon handed them over.

“None of your business.” I buttoned my black silk dress shirt. “Why weren’t you at the meeting today?”

“Is Aspen the only one allowed to hide in her room until this shit show is over?” My sister rolled her eyes, popping her earbuds in to end the conversation.

I inhaled the flowers, making sure they smelled fresh as I stepped into the elevator.

We should have brought her meat.My wolf sneezed.

Tomorrow,I told him. We’d win the hunt and give her a proper offering, one that I hoped would seal the deal when it came to our commitment.

But tonight, I was laying the groundwork and taking her on our first date where I’d clear the air. Start fresh by getting it all out in the open. Let her know that her papa would be safe in the morning andthere was nothing in this world that would ever hurt her again.

I looked around the empty hall as the elevator doors opened.

“Where are you?”I mind-linked Ivan.

“She was laying down and quiet,”he responded. I frowned. It was only 7 o’clock.“I’m getting the keys to the kitchen to check out those boxes.”

“Good.”I straightened my shirt collar, transferring the bouquet to one hand.“Check the video footage too while you have the time. I’ve got her taken care of for the rest of the night.”

I shook off my nerves, raising my fist to knock against room 623’s door, and hoped I wasn’t waking my sleeping beauty up.

21

Aspen

Ivan wasn’t guarding the door when I poked my head out. That was good. The big guy needed a break. Hopefully he’d take my advice and get an early bedtime. He was way too dedicated to this show.

I walked down the hall, deciding to go for it. Staying cooped up in my room wasn’t going to give me another opportunity to speak with Ranger. I never thought I’d be the kind of girl to pine over a male, but not seeing him all day after thesituationyesterday was making me nervous.

And I needed to check on Trenton to fulfill my end of the bargain with Alpha Derek. Molly wanted me to mingle more anyway. I was nothing if not a good little subservient wolf.

Who are you trying to convince of that?

Myself apparently.I stepped out of the elevator.

There was a whole nightlife I’d been missing out on. No wonder none of the other Alphas voted for me. All this time I thought the filming ended after working hours, but I couldn’t be more wrong.

Lunas walked through the lobby in high heels and slinky party dresses, clinging to each other’s arms. Through the windows I could see lit tiki torches by the loungers and the splash of water as one of the Alphas dove into the pool. Music was playing from the grand piano near the fireplace in the lobby. I thought it was only there for decoration. Louder basscame from the resort bar down the hall, pulsing tunes on a dancefloor. Everywhere I looked was laughter and life that I’d been missing out on.

I tugged the sleeves of my oversized sweater, debating heading back upstairs to change into something more flirtatious. But I knew if I went to my room, my bed would win and I’d chicken out.

Stealing myself for the awkwardness to come, I headed to the bar, trying not to step on anyone’s toes as I kept my eye out for Ranger. It was just my luck that I spotted Trenton first.

He was at the bar counter, perched on a stool, talking to Colton Penobscot and his sister Hillary. She wore a slinky black halter top dress and her long hair was pinned back, showing her perfectly sculpted muscular shoulders. Colton looked more relaxed, wearing a flannel button down and jeans like Trenton.

Colton looked up and I waved.

Trenton kept his back to me but tensed when he caught my scent.“What are you doing down here?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”I kept my teeth perfectly straight, still smiling as I made my way over to them. If it wouldn’t be considered rude, I’d have probably kept walking to avoid the pissed off vibes Trenton was pushing my way.

“Hey Aspen.” Colton returned my smile, scooting over a chair to give me room next to them. “We were just saying we never see you out at night.”

I stayed standing, resting my hands on the barstool. “Yeah, I get cranky if I don’t get enough sleep.”

Hillary laughed, looking to her brother. “You’re lucky Trenton doesn’t drag you out to these things as a buffer. I’d prefer more sleep too.”