Page 66 of Alpha Games
As much as I wanted to agree with her statement, I didn’t think she wanted to hear it.
“You’re mad.” I stayed where I was, lower than eye level so she was looking down at me. Everyone watching would know without a doubt who my pick was if it hadn’t been obvious before. It was aposition no Alpha would put himself in, placing her above me. But I wasn’t that much of a pompous prick to not think my mate deserved the pedestal I’d placed her on. My wolf didn’t mind either.
We can lay on the ground at her feet if she stops looking at us that way.
“Tell me why I wouldn’t be mad.” Her words were sharp, but her tone was losing its bite.
I didn’t want her to give in this easily if it meant losing that spark. “I was going to tell you everything when you agreed to go on our date tonight.”
Her jaw dropped in outrage.
Real smooth.My wolf panicked. We hadn’t planned to go through with the date situation after everything that happened last night. Now she was looking at me like she couldn’t decide if she wanted to punch or kiss me.
Aspen pressed her lips together to stop her laughter from spilling out. “You’ve really got that big dick energy on lock down.”
I shrugged and if my muscles flexed a little as I did, it wasn’t completely my fault. Anatomy wasn’t something we could always control. “Would you rather it be small?”
“Depends on how well you can use it.” She smirked.
My wolf howled his approval at the challenge, begging me to move closer and stake our claim. I raised my blood crusted hand, intending to rest it on her knee, and hesitated above the clean cloth of herpants. I was going to stain her. Taint her. This sweet and feisty girl. She was so perfect, so fragile. So pure.
Someone tried to take her from us.
I put my hand possessively on her thigh.
I’d bought these clothes and I’d buy her new ones if she needed them. She was mine to ruin.
“I’m assuming that’s a yes on our date tonight?” I arched a brow.
“I guess I’m trapped.” Her tongue was in her cheek as she folded her arms, leaning back against her chair, but the fiery spark lit up her honey brown eyes. “Don’t you have a hunt or something to win, Alpha?”
*
She knew everything and she was still giving us a chance. I stood onstage, beaming with pride that had nothing to do with my win today.
“Coming in first place is Ranger McCaw with a two hundred pound, eight-foot male mountain lion,” Jay Renfro announced.
I scratched the stubble on my jaw, casting a quick glance to Aspen while everyone around me cheered. Her face shone with approval as she clapped.
For the first time in as long as I could remember, my beast felt satisfied.
Jay Renfro crossed the stage, wearing a three-piece suit that looked ridiculous next to all our bloody and bare chests. But I’m sure that had something to do with the image the show was trying to portray. We were all beasts on display in human form.
The show host stood next to me, but turned his dazzling smile to the cameras. This was it. The moment he gave me my favor. I glanced over my shoulder, seeing Chad Tulia leaning against the stage poll and looking at his phone. I’d done it.
In just a few minutes, this would all be over.
Tonight, I’d take Aspen on a date and we’d be on the road first thing in the morning once I ensured the Tulia Clan paid my pack back for all the damage they had caused.
“As winner of the traditional hunt,” Jay Renfro spoke louder for the audio team, “Mr. McCaw has earned the right of picking his opponent in the fights tomorrow night.”
My beast started growling and I held tight to my control of him, wondering if I’d misheard. That wasn’t the plan. I’d won a favor. A request. Not another fucking challenge.
I wanted to take Aspen home.
“Cut,” the director called as Jay walked off stage. I’d missed the last of his closing remarks as I searched for Aspen’s face in the crowd. She was still smiling. Still clapping for me.
My chest tightened.