SEVEN

Xander

WE'RE HEADING DOWN to ringside, and the energy in the building is crazy. The crowd's wardrobe ranges from torn jeans and flannels to suits and cocktail dresses. Regardless of what they're wearing, most are several drinks in and are either clamoring their way toward the ring or one of the exits, filling the arena with indiscernible chatter and boisterous voices. The ring is filled with camera crews, lights, and microphones, all of which are being shoved in Jimmy's smiling, bruised, and bloody face as he stands with one arm around Micky and the other hugging the title belt against his torso. He's also got a hell of a mouse forming above one eye.

Even with the high energy of the arena, a wave of tiredness manages to crash down on me. My gaze flicks up to Billie, who is leaning against an inside corner of the ring, arms crossed over her chest, head tilted to the side as she listens to Jimmy answering questions.

She and I have shared energies in the past through gifting, bonding, or using mine to heal her, but tonight was different. I had assumed, based on Ethan's conjecture (he's not one to assume), that pulling from Wilhelmina would be similar to pulling from him or Jax. When I pull beta energy from either of them, the strength and concentration are at the same level as mine. I merely need to use some of my energy to inoculate theirs, initiating the energy transformation from beta to alpha.

? I used the same approach with Wilhelmina, and it worked... to a point. Her source of shifter energy appeared in my mind as I expected, like a green glowing pool, but when I siphoned a small amount off like I've done with Jax and Ethan in the past, the power shot through the bond and slammed into my chest as if I'd been blasted with a shotgun. It temporarily shorted out my own shifter energy and threw me back from the force. After experiencing just how overwhelming her power was, I chose to cautiously play around with it, so to speak.

Where mine is like a viscous liquid, hers is like a liquid that, when pulled apart, can hold a malleable form. Feeling a little hesitant and unsure, I decided to send some of my alpha waves toward DuFraine and his alpha in the corner to see what would happen if I pushed against his with more force. I could press and bump up against it, but I couldn't actually penetrate it. That meant I needed to use her power, and only her power. Unlike Alessandro, I'm not a royal, and therefore twining our energies together, if that is even possible, would... shit, it probably would weaken her power.

? I visualized slowly drawing a drop of her power from the pool that was now inside me and watched in fascination as that drop elongated and pulled more from the pool, like warm taffy. Once the rope or thread formed, it held a loose shape, and I was able to loop it like a garden hose.

Then on another one-minute rest, I sent my alpha waves out again. I don't think this was necessary, but it made me feel more confident with what I was doing, like I was laying down a path for her energy to follow. Everything also needed to be precise. When Billie and Alessandro dismantled my father's alpha coercion, based on what I know now, it was like cutting through a fishing net—a large target with several weakly linked pieces to slice through. With alpha healing, the target is small and strong, a fishing line made of Kevlar. Once I located his line with my alpha waves, I let her energetic rope flow over mine and intercept it. I knew when it started working because it sent a kickback through the bond like the reverberation you feel in an axe's handle when chopping wood. Then I kept cutting and sawing, holding on to the steady vibration until finally it dropped. Then I nearly dropped with relief and mental exhaustion. It worked, though.

Ethan and Jax are at my back one on either side, eyes scanning the area. I didn't expect them to act like this down here, but then none of us anticipated encountering shifters either. We're following Marcus and Jake, with Brandon, Enzo, and Dom behind us. My eyes focus on the wolves, who are wrapping up their own interview just outside of the ring.

My teeth grind as anger breaks through my exhaustion. What the fuck are shifters doing participating in the human world in this context? This kind of involvement could easily risk our discovery by humans, especially with how they've been exploiting their powers. As soon as they see us, they throw a couple of hard glares our way before tucking tail and running.

Ethan leans over and whispers in my ear, "I texted Alessandro about the situation and gave him DuFraine's name and about the two wolf-shifters with him." I jerk a nod, glad he's taking the initiative. He continues, "He responded and said he'd look into him and his crew. Should have information for us by tomorrow afternoon." Ethan pauses, then snorts. "Wants us to tell la mia stella he hopes Jimmy wins, and is looking forward to hearing all about the match."

I grunt out, "Good," refusing to let myself get worked up over the idea of him and our mate socializing, let alone think about what any of this means or the fact that more shit will be thrown at us. We can't discuss any of this openly at the moment, and going blindly after those shifters would only draw more attention. And who knows what we'd find. We don't know if there are only three of them or if they're part of a larger group, which could put not only us but also our mate and her human family in a dangerous situation. The shifter community is not lenient when it comes to exposing ourselves to humans. Best to just stay alert and wait for more information.

My eyes are drawn back to our mate, who's jumped down from the ring and is now ecstatically bopping up and down while hugging all of The Den. A smile sweeps over my face as I let her enthusiastic happiness become mine. When we get close, she whips her head toward us and bounces over, squeaking, "He did it! He did it!" Then she launches herself at Jax, who readily squats down and catches her with open arms.

He brings her into a swaying hug, tight into his chest, and laughs. "It was freakin' intense for my first boxing event. Like, edge of my seat, yea!"

"Right?" she exclaims and gives him a firm peck on the lips before he puts her down. She bounds over to Ethan, and he bends down to grab her by the ass. She takes hold of his neck, and he rises up with her wrapping her legs loosely around him. The sharp slap of his hand smacking her bum is quickly followed by her squeaky yelp. He bites her lips and growls, "We gotta talk about these booty shorts, my love."

"He and Enzo almost got in a fight while protecting your honor," Jax informs her, leaning in close to both of them.

Her eyes go wide, and she claps a hand over her mouth mumbling, "Like, seriously?"

Ethan's fingers dig into her ass cheeks. "Yes, seriously. Tell me you're not wearing them tonight," he states more than asks, pulling the flesh of her ear through his teeth.

Billie's legs squeeze around his waist, and her lips clamp shut to stifle a moan from releasing. She rubs her cheek against Ethan's before pulling back and asserting, "Hell no! Jeans and boots for tonight." Blushing she pouts, "I know they're short, but it's tradition. I didn't wanna fuck with it."

"Can't imagine Micky and Jimmy like you wearing them," Ethan grunts while letting her down. She gives him a half shrug, then tentatively steps over to me, knowing we have things to discuss.

I do not like being put in a position where I know she could be harmed or weakened and have to step aside. Makes me feel conflicted as her mate and alpha. She's so willing to risk herself and deal with her own pain in order to ease someone else's.

I go to take hold of her face, but she shakes her head and gives me an adorable scowl. "No." Fastening her hands onto my shoulder, she demands, "Up. I want up."

"Oh, you do, do you?" I half grin, bending down and belting my arms around the back of her upper thighs, pulling her up into my torso. Her arms and legs firmly wrap around me, and she buries her head into the crook of my neck, taking several deep inhales. Warmth swirls in my chest; I love how she's seeking out comfort and security in my arms. In all our arms. And I do the same to her. Breathing her in, feeling her soft skin under my lips and cheeks, I nuzzle into her neck.

Billie releases a long exhale, and my skin tickles under her warm breath. She murmurs, "I'm sorry, Alexander. I know I pushed you into it. I really can't express how much what you did means to me, though."

I nuzzle deeper, kissing and licking her neck, while my hands grip her flesh, finding comfort in the feeling of her body, whole and healthy in my arms. "Yeah, you did," I lowly reply, pulling my head back from her warmth and nudging her cheek so she'll look at me. She brushes her nose against mine before reluctantly facing me. Her green and now one icy-blue-green eyes meet mine. Inhaling, I give her a kiss and exhale. "I understand where you were coming from. But you are the most important being to me, and you put me in an uncomfortable, conflicted position." She nods, and I take another kiss from her, nipping her lip lightly, while my voice is anything but light. "You'll be eating another sandwich and having your first beta power share lesson tonight." I hitch a brow. "Before we go out."

She leans back in my grasp and holds my determined gaze with wary eyes. Not liking how far away she is, I bounce her higher in my arms, pitching her forward. Her legs tighten around my waist. Keeping her eyes on mine, she presses her lips against my lips and purrs, "Yes, Alpha."

Orange blossoms and a rock-hard cock from the purr of two words.