“Are you okay with how it all turned out?” Fallon asked. Aspen screeched as the marshmallow caught a flame and hurried to blow it out. She smiled in triumph at me.

  I returned her smile, feeling silly. “Why wouldn’t I be? I won more than I ever expected.”

  “I’m glad to see you happy, brother.” Fallon grabbed my shoulder, using it to stand up. “Ivan says he’ll finish sorting through the security footage by the morning so we’re good to get on the road. Guess we’ll leave without seeing the fight to the end.”

  I stared at the cackling fire, feeling the challenge call to a darkness within me. “Are you okay with how this is turning out?”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” Fallon arched an eyebrow. “I like Aspen and she’s good for you. She’ll be good for the pack.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  Fallon stood, studying the fire. “Mom would’ve never wanted us to get revenge. This was something we decided we needed, but we’ll find another way. And I’m sick of this show. Tell me it’s not strange that they denied your favor and set up a cage fighting event instead. Something is fishy. I want to leave before we get caught up in a mess.”

  I nodded, knowing my sister was right. “Is the mystery wolf you were running with the other night coming back to McCaw with us?”

  She clenched her teeth and growled. “No. Leave it alone.”

  “Are you sure?” I started to tease, realizing I had to drag this out. “Because–”

  Aspen’s gasp drew my attention.

  “So basically Crowley, the Alpha of Tulia Pack’s younger brother, was running drugs throughout the west coast and getting shifters hooked,” Mattox was explaining. “He hit a lot of the outskirt packs, getting locals addicted, and then to save the town,” he air-quoted with his fingers, “Tulia’s Alpha would swoop in buying up small mom-and-pop shops and liquidating shifter run business to increase their companies holdings.”

  “How does this involve Ranger?” Tears sprung to her eyes as she looked to me and Fallon. After everything we’d been through, I couldn’t stand to see the pity on her face. I rose to intervene, to stop the conversation, but Mattox kept going without sensing me.

  “His mom owned a diner in Canyon City and after she slipped down the ketamine rabbit hole, she lost the business and ended up on the streets. They moved to Portland and she died about a year later.” Mattox felt me standing beside him and looked up. He was an honest shifter. I knew he wasn’t gossiping just to run his mouth.

  But my beast growled anyway.

  Aspen stood, putting herself between us and protecting my Beta from my reprimand. “And then what happened?”

  I sucked in a slow breath, not wanting to talk about this right now. Not when everything between us was so new. She bit her lip, turning those tear-filled eyes up to me. Ones that begged for my darkest secrets.

  “And then Ranger got dragged into the fighting circuits with half the other kids suffering the same fate we did,” Fallon explained as she came to stand beside me. “He paid back our debt and got us out of the slums, taking over the McCaw Pack when the old Alpha wouldn’t clean up the streets from Tulia’s influence.”

  “That’s why you came here.” My smart mate was piecing it all together. “Revenge for your mother and for the rest of your pack. You were hoping to get a favor from Chad that would make Tulia Pack in debt to you?”

  I nodded.

  “Does he know what his uncle and father did?” she asked.

  “What they still do.” Fallon sighed. “We’ve had to hear for years about how Chad is being groomed to take over the family business. You can’t possibly understand how frustrating it is to listen to them talk about it and not being allowed to legally stop them when they have the government in their pocket.”

  “And the show took away the favor which is what Ranger was banking on,” Mattox added from somewhere behind Aspen’s back.

  Even if I wanted to explain this to her myself, they were all so eager to get it out that I had no choice but to let them. They said I carried the weight of this burden, but I wasn’t the only one.

  “So why are you leaving without at least kicking his ass?” Aspen folded her arms over her chest as she stared at me.

  The male shifters around us chuckled.

  “Because it doesn’t matter anymore.” I smiled at her spunk. “And the show changed the rules. If two Alphas fight, it could be considered a traditional challenge as our beasts might take over for dominance.”

  “That means you’d take away his position as heir to the Tulia Pack and would have to submit to his father until he handed over the reins.” Aspen’s brain was always working. It was fascinating to watch. “But you don’t have to kill him.”

  I don’t?

  Aspen saw the question in my eyes. “No, you don’t. You have more control than anyone else I’ve ever known and I barely just met you. You can embarrass the Tulia Pack, show how weak their future Alpha is on TV, and plant the seed of doubt in the pack’s minds by kicking his butt and letting him live.”

  “This is diabolical.” Fallon grinned. “I love it.”

  “It’s better than nothing.” Mattox stood to the left of my mate, giving her his strong side in respect to his Luna. “You were always in it for the long game. We can mess with their heads until we find a way to take them out for good.”

  I ran my hand over my jaw, weighing my options. “We’re pushing this too close to the coming full moon and start of mating season. I’d prefer to have you all back on McCaw territory where I can keep you safe.”

  “It’s one more day.” Aspen pouted. The rest of the pack moved closer, cheering her on in mumbled agreement as she stood up to me. My little brat was coming out to play. She blinked her long eyelashes, challenging my beast. “And I don’t want to leave until you make that asshole pay for what he did to my future pack.”

  The shifters surrounding me turned their faces to the sky and howled. My pulse thrummed to the ancient sound of a challenge as the flames of the fire danced in Aspen’s eyes. My beast was onboard, not wanting to back down. He would prove himself to his mate.

  I grabbed Aspen by the waist and kissed her deeply in front of our pack, trying not to worry that I was taking too great a risk now that I had something this important to lose.

  29

  Aspen

  “This is a collect call from Holton Penitentiary. Do you accept charges from: What is wrong with your phone?”

  “I accept.” I kept my phone plugged into the charger on the bathroom counter, positioning it just the right way so the cord would slowly give it some juice, while Jesse continued to curl my hair.

  “Dude!” Clara screamed over the phone. “I forgive you for not answering. I’d be busy too after what I saw happen at the hunt when Alpha Ranger bowed at your freaking feet. Is this like official, official now? I wonder if he can bribe the courts to get me convalescent leave for the wedding.”

  “I’ll try to figure something out.” I smiled. Hearing her word vomit again was soothing. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it until I didn’t hear it every day. “But I don’t want to ask too many favors. He already moved my papa away.”

  “Oh we know.” Clara lowered her voice. “Derek was pissed. He almost made it so we couldn’t watch the show, but he knew there’d be a riot so he caved.”

  Jesse yanked on my hair as I doubled over laughing, pulling me back upright.

  “Ouch.”

  “Are you alright?” Clara asked.

  “Yes.” I glared at my stylist in the mirror. “Something is wrong with my cat today.”

  Jesse hissed at me.

  “As much as I want those details, I have a feeling we’re talking about different things. Don’t tell me the stylist is your new bestie. I will literally shank a bitch.”

  “Bring it,” Jesse leaned over to growl at my phone.

  Clara started yipping. “Watch your back, pussy. I know people who will take your 9th life.”

  “Guys, stop.” I slid my phone over to check the time and messed up the charger. Frustrated, I started playing with it again. “Ranger will be here any minute. I have to go with him to the fights.”

  “Okay. Remember canines stick together and I’m your best friend. The position isn’t open to–”

  My phone died.

  “I am so sick of this freaking thing.” I tossed it over toward the back of the counter.

  “Why don’t you just ask Ranger for a new one?” Jesse grumbled.

  “Seriously, what’s gotten into you today? Did something happen at home?” I asked as he finished pulling up half my hair into the curled pony and pinned it with the clip.

  “Nothing.” His eyes flicked to the open door. “Wear your tennis shoes. It’s a hike up to the fighting ring.”

  *

  Beau was on duty standing outside my door. He used his keycard to let Ranger inside. I finished shoving the rest of my own clothes into my duffle bag. Jesse was packing up the rest later because apparently, I didn’t have the right garment bags for transport.

  “Are you ready?” Ranger’s deep voice curled low in my belly, teasing me with promises of what was to come. First, we were heading downstairs to watch him beat the tar out of a spoiled rich kid–which made Ranger hotter if that was possible–but last night was only a teaser and I couldn’t wait for more. He kissed my shoulder, waiting for an answer.

  Him and his bossy words rule.

  “Almost.” I bit my bottom lip, leaning back against him as I checked my phone. Damn it. It still wouldn’t power on. I’d wanted to send a text to my papa and make sure he was doing okay.

  “That charger isn’t safe.” Ranger growled as he looked over my shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me you needed a new one?”

  “At this rate I’ll probably need a new phone,” I huffed, trying the magic position again which seemed to be the only spot it would work.

  Ranger lifted the device and stilled, staring at it intently. It was a few moments of weird silence until I slowly looked up at him and realized he was speaking through his mind-link. “Most of my pack are iphone users. No one has a charger for this. But we’ll pick one up at a gas station for you later tonight.”

  “Don’t do that,” I said.

  “Do what?” He put my phone back on the counter, giving me his undivided attention.

  I shifted nervously under his intense gaze. “Don’t bother the pack using your Alpha bark for me and my stupid issues like a phone charger. They have better things to do.”

  “First, any issue you have is now a vital pack concern.”

  I growled in frustration, about to tear into him, when I saw the teasing glint in his eyes.

  “And second, I never use an Alpha command unless it’s necessary to protect life or limb.” Ranger held out his arm for me to take. “Now if you don’t mind, I have to fulfill a demand from my Luna. She’s a bossy little brat.”

  *

  I was anxious to hear from my papa and learn how the trip was treating him. The stupid phone situation was really getting on my nerves. But I pushed away thoughts of myself, hanging onto Ranger’s arm as we stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby.

  Today was about… my mate?

  It was still strange to think this was happening and I hadn’t figured out if I’d take him up on the offer to delay for a few seasons or not.

  Though the offer was one of the reasons I didn’t mind playing the part of arm candy for this little bit. I could look like an accessory as long as I knew where the balance of power really laid.

  The camera crews were already set up and filming. Lens were quickly turned our way. Everyone wanted to get an interview in with Ranger, but he walked past them with an aloof attitude I’d never be cool enough to pull off.

  I knew I was in over my head being alongside a shifter like him, but the way he held me close to his side was empowering. Like maybe I did belong here after all. Or at least I would, once I learned how to walk in heels so I’d be taller than I was. Thankfully, I’d taken Jesse’s advice and worn my tennis shoes today. Beau flanked us, keeping a distance away so as not to blow his cover. I hadn’t seen Ivan this morning, but the big guy was working on some tech stuff and finishing up a report.

  Fallon joined us by the pool with her signature to-go cup of coffee already in hand. If I spent more time with her in McCaw Pack then I wondered if I’d be able to sneak in some decaf options. It was crazy to think how fast my life was changing and all the possibilities that were coming with it. I clung to Ranger’s arm, basically hanging on for the ride as we hiked up the hill to where an octagon shaped platform sat with chain link walls surrounding the ropes.

  It’s silver and iron. My wolf bared her teeth at the pulsing power coming from the metal cage as we walked past it.

  I felt sick to my gut, but Ranger and Fallon didn’t seem to mind.

  “Isn’t that deadly?” I tugged on Ranger’s sleeve.

  He looked to the cage with a tired resignation on his face. “Not really. It just hurts a lot to get thrown against it. But it keeps the viewers safe.”

  We reached the tents where the rest of the contestants were already milling about, eating finger sandwiches and sipping lemonade. I’d eaten earlier once Ranger had personally taste tested room service and I didn’t plan to eat or drink anything again until we left the resort tonight.

  “Big day today,” Chad called out to Ranger, not bothering to stand from his table as his cousins and the Fraziers sat beside him.

  My whole body tensed as my wolf started growling. Ranger tightened his grip on my hand in warning. I glanced at Fallon and then at Ranger, wondering how they looked so calm as they walked over to Chad’s table. I wasn’t a great actress. I didn’t think I could do this.

  “Ranger,” Edith purred, batting her eyelashes at him. “We’re excited to see which poor little wolf you pick to fight today.”

  Kill this bitch.

  I bared my fangs.

  Ranger turned me around, gathering me in his arms as he kissed me in front of everyone and stole my breath away. He pulled back, leaving me dazed, and touched me on the nose.

  “Behave,” he whispered.

  I nodded, biting my tongue. I’d try to do as he said.

  Edith was flushed as she turned to Lilith. “Have you seen Meghan yet?”

  “I haven’t. Scott said something about her staying in the room.” Lilith leaned closer to Chad, showing him her phone. He wasn’t paying attention to her though.

  An amused expression was on his face as he studied the way Ranger held me to his side. I couldn’t believe I’d thought his smile was charming once. It was slimy. That of a politician.

  I shivered in disgust.

  “Alright gentlemen, we need you all to come to the stage,” the production assistant called out using a megaphone. I glanced around, surprised Molly wasn’t here. Her voice could project on its own. Not all the Lunas were there this morning either. The guys had all arrived though and were lining up.

  “Don’t get into trouble.” Ranger kissed my forehead as he pulled out a chair at the table.

  “You either.” I smacked his butt for good luck, giggling when he growled at me.

  Edith made a gagging noise, scooting closer to her sister and taking Chad’s empty seat.

  Fallon and I turned around in our chairs so we could watch the guys line up for the cameras.

  “He looks good up there,” I said, admiring how at ease Ranger seemed next to the other Alphas.

  Fallon was ripping at the lid on her cup. “I don’t like this.”

  “He’ll be okay.” I put my hand on her shoulder to show support. I’d never seen him fight before and maybe I should’ve been more nervous if his sister was. But I’d seen his confidence in other areas and couldn’t believe he’d struggle with anything.

  “It’s not that.” Her gaze was focused on the cage. “This feels wrong. It reminds me of the old days when he was the main event.”

  I swallowed down the lump in my throat at hearing the pain in her voice. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how rough it was for them growing up like they did. “I wish things were different.”

  “Me too.” Fallon sighed, taking a sip of her coffee. “But hopefully tomorrow is the first day of the rest of our new lives.”

  “Cheers to that.” I bumped her raised fist as Jay walked onto the platform. The cue cards came out, reminding us to be quiet.

  Filming was about to begin.

  30

  Ranger

  “The end of the Alpha Games is upon us and what a competition this has been. Hearts were stolen, blood was shed, and the finale promises to be…”

  I tuned out Jay Renfro’s superfluous speech, tired of these games. It pained me to realize most of what we saw on TV was five-minute clips filmed between hours and hours of waiting. I’d never be able to see a movie the same way again. So much time and effort went into media you could consume in a passing glance. It was insane.

  The Alphas around me shifted as we stood under the warming midday sun waiting for Jay to finish a full take of the introduction speech for the last episode of the Alpha Games portion of Mating Season. In front of us where Jay was being filmed was the fighting cage designed from the nightmares of my youth.

  Except I wasn’t some hotheaded prepubescent pup anymore trying to prove myself to the new trainer of the week. There were no referees placing side bets and trying to throw my fight. I wasn’t beholden to the bookies’ flavor of the night. Fredrick was dead. I was a grown ass Alpha who had no need for the circuits. Once upon a time, I’d thought I would drown in the violence of the ring. But I’d survived and I’d become so much more.

  I turned my attention to the tents instead where Aspen and my sister sat watching. My mate. The little spitfire who’d challenged me in front of my pack. They were in love with her now. She had the same piss and vinegar mentality that made the inner circle I’d grown up with and appointed to leadership positions. Most of them would’ve liked her knowing she’d come from more humble roots, but when she refused to leave without forcing me to exact some sort of retribution, she sealed the deal.

 

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