Page 83 of Alpha Games
I glanced at the clock, seeing the rapid countdown. Two-minutes thirty-seconds were left in this round.
A few gasps later, he staggered upright. “Agreed. Had I known you were only here for your slut of a mother I’d–”
I punched him straight in the throat, standing over him as he gagged and fell to his knees. “I’d be very careful with what you say. I’m well within my rights to challenge you the old way and erase your title. My beast is inches from taking over.”
Say when.
I brought my elbow down just as Chad rolled away, scrambling to his feet.
“You fight dirty.” He wiped the drool from his mouth. “They said you were nothing but a scroungy street mutt. I’ll have to make sure we get our rabies shots after the show.”
I knew he was goading me, trying to get me to react rashly and misstep. So I didn’t take the bait. I wasn’t fighting dirty. If anything, I was going easy on him compared to how I’d grown up fighting in the ring. Things were different for shifters.
We were born to draw blood.
Cheering rang out around us. The other Alphas surrounded the cage. I didn’t realize they’d all stuck around to see the fight. Risking a glance over my shoulder, I saw the empty seats where Aspen and Fallon had been.
A fist connected with my cheek, pulling me back to the fight.
I knew the rules. It didn’t surprise me that breaking one led to Chad making contact. But damn. That was a good hit.
Emboldened now, he charged forward.
I met him with a rapid succession of uppercuts into his torso. He doubled over. I grabbed the back of his head, crushing my skull into his face.
“You’ll pay for this,” Chad yelled as blood gushed from his nose and poured over the mat by his feet. The cheers of the other Alphas grew louder. I took a step back out of instinct, waiting for the referee to give a reprimand.
No one came.
I looked around, realizing we were in the cage by ourselves. Even the camera teams were gone, leaving drones hovering above us instead.
“Mixed blood son of a bitch in heat,” Chad was growling as he half-shifted. His jaw elongated and claws extended as fur broke out on his skin. “You’re no real Alpha.”
His beast was taking over. The Alpha in him reacted to the challenge. To the threat. I’d planned to end things before it got this far. Before we lost control to our animalistic instincts.
I can handle him.My wolf snarled, trying to tear out from my human skin and finish this.
I held tight, not letting him free despite the howls of the Alphas encouraging bloodshed and calling to my beast.
Chad kept coming. His massive arms strengthened by his wolf grabbed for me.
I ducked and recovered to ready my stance. Chad turned clumsily, charging.
A roundhouse kick to the side of his head sent him flying backwards. He hit the mat before my toes touched it again. I walked toward him and nudged him with my foot. Chad didn’t get up.
The Alphas roared for my victory.
I checked the clock. Thirty seconds remained on the countdown. Twenty-five. Twenty…
Where is the ref to call this?
Breathing heavy, I made a full circle. The Alphas were still howling and pumping their fists. Bloodlust from the day had riled all their beasts. Itwas John that caught my attention, breaking away from the crowd of males and sprinting toward the resort.
And that’s when I heard the helicopter blades.
Panic seized my heart as I took off running. I threw open the door to the cage and chased after John.
“Fallon! Ivan! Beau! Answer me!”I pushed out with my senses, trying to get a read on them, but there was so much panic and confusion everywhere. My pack was in the woods, coming closer at my distress, and I searched for the connection with my sister, finding it silent.