36

Aspen

Trenton and I stood in line on the red carpet waiting our turn to be filmed for the entrance. I could sense Ranger somewhere behind us, feel his dominant power tugging the fine hairs of the back of my neck, but I refused to turn around. No one was talking to us anyway. It seemed the rumor mill was already churning. I bit the inside of my cheek, drawing blood.

Somehow, I managed to walk gracefully into the convention center which had once again been transformed. Opulent chandeliers hung suspended from the rafters and a ballroom floor of marble had been erected over the past few days. Tables with white linen lined the outside of the dance floor with candles burning low in glass vases. Potted roses in full bloom decorated the darkened corners and a full bar sat at the back wall.

The cameras were rolling.

Trenton’s wolf was vibrating just under his skin as I stood on my toes to press my lips against his cheek for the photo op. He left, heading to the bar, as I found my labeled table among the twenty-three of them. There should have been twenty-four. Only three of us would be going home tomorrow since Opal was already gone.

Opal would have loved this.

Soft music played from a string quartet, low enough for the audio team to pick up the conversations from the microphones attached to our evening wear. Everyone looked beautiful. Dressed to impress.

I took another deep breath, plastering a smile on my face. Fallon’s table was directly across the ballroom from mine. She stood elegantly in a violet dress with shimmering overlay and black boots, looking like a dark fairy princess. Something twisted in my heart, knowing I might not even be able to trust her.

Or any other candidate in this room.

One of them could be the reason Opal was lying in a hospital bed. And I’m not sure I would have eaten a cupcake, but that ultimately could have been me. Whether it was meant as a message or a real threat, I didn’t know. But I’d been so naive. So blind.

What I did know was that none of these candidates scared me. And I wasn’t going down without a fight.

Once the cameras finished filming the entrances and the candidates found their tables while the Alphas headed over to the bar, Jay Renfro took his place in the center of the ballroom. The lights dimmed lower as the spotlight shone on him.

“Welcome, viewers, to the final portion of the Luna Trials and tonight’s main event. The lovely candidates have one hour to engage with the Alphas to mingle and steal their hearts before the dancing begins. At the end of the night, all Alphas will mark their choices for the top three Lunas to enter Mating Season. But you, our voters, will have the final call on who makes it to the top twenty.”

There was a soft round of applause as the production assistant walked around with the cue card, telling us what to do. I clapped, not making a sound.

“Now I have the unfortunate job of letting you know that Opal from Morganton Pack will no longer be a candidate this season due to a terrible accident.”

Tears blurred my eyes at the mention of her name, but I held my chin high as camera two turned to film me.

“But the show must go on,” Jay picked up the tempo. “I know you’re all as excited as I am to see who wins our Alpha’s hearts tonight. Without further ado, I give you the Luna candidates from the 7th annual Mating Season.”

The music started playing again as the cameras panned out and spread around the room. Jay made his way over to the bar. My eyes narrowed as I spotted Trenton off to one dark corner.

“Remember what I said. It’s time to act.”

“On it.” Trenton sipped his beer as he walked over to shake Jay’s hand. I could only hope he’d come up with a good conversation without me coaching him. Alpha Derek would be proud. I was actually going to help his son.

Just as soon as I passed these trials.

I let my gaze drift around the room, sizing up the Alphas that walked away from the bar with their drinks in hand. I caught the eye of Colton Penobscot and smiled demurely as he headed my way.

“You clean up real nice,” he teased in his northeastern accent as he handed me a flute of champagne.

“So do you.” I took a sip, looking him over slowly to show my appreciation.

He cleared his throat and thrust out his hand. “We haven’t gotten a chance to formally meet. I’m Colton.”

“Aspen.” I shook his hand as the cameras rounded my table. “Nice to meet you. What’s Maine like this time of year?”

“A mud pit.” Another Alpha joined us at my table. I struggled to place where he was from.

“Tucker Jones.” He smiled a dimpled grin that seemed right at home with his mess of curly blond hair. “From upstate New York.”

“Northeastern boys.” I laughed as the champagne bubbles danced on my tongue. “You two smell like trouble already.”

Colton ran a hand over his beard, circling me like prey. “You ever been up to Maine?”

“Not yet.” I held my ground and winked. “It’s on my bucket list though.”

“What else is on your bucket list?” The scent of applewood and peaches made my wolf sneeze as a third Alpha crowded in. Brett Frazier, Cindy’s cousin, from the state of Georgia had polished black hair as shiny as his loafers.

I took a step back, giving the men more space, and put on my teacher hat–the one that could command a room of hardened criminals.

“Travel is a big one.” I set my champagne glass on the table. “I haven’t left my pack territory much and it’s always bothered me to teach about the world when I haven’t seen it all myself.”

“We’ve got to getcha to Maine then,” Colton said.

“And to New York,” Tucker added.

“Nah. She’s a west coast girl.” Ranger stepped right into the circle. My wolf gave a happy little sigh.

Finally.

His dark gaze regarded me above the glass of scotch he sipped and he wore an evil little smile. Just his presence had the other Alphas taking a step back.

Damn it.

I turned to Tucker, ignoring Ranger like I would an unruly student. “I would love to visit New York too.”

Tucker nodded at me, looking to Ranger, and I tried not to seethe as he said his goodbyes. The other two Alphas followed soon after and the camera team left with them.

“Can I help you with something?” I asked, trying not to let him get under my skin.

“You look beautiful.” Ranger pulled out a chair and sat, crossing one suited leg over the other and loosening the top button on his shirt. “Did you dress up for me?”

The audacity of this alpha-hole.

I forced myself not to drool at the way his body fit into the black silk shirt and the dangerous humor in his eyes as he sipped his scotch. His black slacks were bunched around the pockets, stretched across his massive thighs, and the outline of his cock drew my attention, reminding me of when it was pressed against my stomach this morning. We matched for some reason, as if this was meant to be.

It is. My wolf panted.

I growled. “No. I dressed up for me.”

Ranger smirked. “Then when I undress you, it will be for me.”

Heat swirled low in my stomach and my core tightened. I turned away from the beast. If he wanted to sit there, fine. But I had a room to work and a promise to fulfill.

Trenton was across the room talking to Keshia with a group of other Alphas and she was laughing at something he said. Good. Two camera teams were circling around them. Perfect.

I caught the attention of Landon North who was strolling away from Edith’s table. I raised my hand, waving my fingers. He waved back, changing course as he headed my way.

With my game face on, I extended my hand. “We haven’t officially met yet. I’m Aspen.”

Landon smiled while biting down on his bottom lip. “I’m–”

“Nope,” Ranger’s deep voice rumbled. He didn’t even stand from his seat.

Landon dropped his hand, peeking around me. “Sorry, Ranger. Didn’t see you there.”

He was gone as quickly as he came and this time, I couldn’t hide my frustration.

I spun to face Ranger, hating how relaxed he looked. “Will you back off?”

“Never.” He rolled up his sleeves, exposing those thick forearms I’d dragged my nails down earlier. “Not until I get you out of here.”

“I… Can’t... Leave,” I bit out through clenched teeth as tears threatened to blind me. I couldn’t let them fall. Jesse would kill me if I ruined his makeup. “Now go away before you mess everything up.”

Ranger stilled. All traces of humor left his face and he narrowed his gaze. Never in my life had I felt the power of an Alpha this strong swirl around me. It froze me to the spot, demanding I bend the neck, promising bad things to those who displeased him.

I didn’t care.

“Tell me what I don’t know,” he commanded.

But this wasn’t some fairy tale. The big, bad, scary wolf wasn’t going to swoop in and chase all of my problems away. Nope. This was show business as Molly said.

“Why don’t you tell me what I don’t know?” I scoffed, staring down at him and throwing his words from this morning back in his face. “Information goes both ways.”

Anger flashed in his eyes but that was the only tic I could see. His face remained impassive as he sipped from his scotch.

A warm hand caressed my shoulder, drawing my attention away.

“I don’t care what Ranger says. He doesn’t get to keep you to himself tonight of all nights.” Chad smiled a mischievous grin that promised a good time. “Dance with me?”

No. “Sure.”

Chad swept me out onto the ballroom floor before Ranger stood from his seat.

I stumbled a bit on the stupid heels, clinging to Chad’s arm as I laughed nervously. “It’s a little early for the dancing to begin.”

We had the whole open floor to ourselves and the quartet continued to play. Chad was lithe and graceful despite his massive size and I let him lead, swaying to the beat. His scent was pleasant enough. Sort of a mixture of leather and spice. Still, it made my nose itch.

“Someone’s got to get the party started.” Chad was still smiling as he placed his warm hand on the small of my back, switching the steps to a simple rumba. “Besides, they want to join us.”

Sure enough, the camera teams had fanned out and caught us on video as we made our way around the empty floor. Chad twirled me and I managed to balance on the heels as he guided me back to his arms again. The melody was sweet and a few of the contestants watched us wistfully. As we changed places, I saw Trenton take Lilith’s hand and lead her to the dance floor.

She wasn’t my first choice for him, but the cameras followed, giving him more screentime which was what we needed. I was going to have my work cut out for me in the Alpha Games helping to showcase his personality that I’d always found… lacking.

“You’re a great dancer,” Chad said as more couples joined us on the dance floor.

“Thanks.” I smiled, glancing over to where Ranger stood in the shadows of my table watching. “My papa taught me.”

“Where did he teach?” Chad’s hand laced through mine, drawing my attention back to him. His skin was softer than I realized.

I laughed. “He wasn’t a teacher. Not unless you count having me stand on his toes as we danced around the kitchen lessons.”

The memories of my childhood overwhelmed me then. I could see in perfect clarity the strong shifter my papa was and how each year had aged him as he lost my gram, and his son, and pieces of himself. He deserved to live the rest of his life in peace.

Chad spun me again and I was caught by a different hand. This one rougher and more calloused as his heady woodsy scent enveloped me. My steps faltered and I planted my fingers against Ranger’s strong chest to steady myself.

“No.” Ranger shook his head. “No one else gets your memories.”

The endorphins from dancing were making me lightheaded as I looked up into his intense eyes. “You don’t get to–”

Ranger dipped me and I gasped. His hand trailed up the exposed skin of my back, cupping my head as I caught my breath.

“For the cameras, right?” He growled.

“What are you–”

Time seemed to stop as he closed the distance between us, waiting for the beat of a heart and staring into my eyes. There was a question there. A hesitation I couldn’t handle. It made me uneasy. He was waiting. For what?

And then he kissed me.

There was nothing gentle about his lips as they parted mine. It wasn’t soft. His kiss was possessive. A declaration. A claiming. I tried to push back, but my stupid fingers got tangled in his hair instead as I nipped at his lip.

His dark laughter filled me, rumbling from his chest and sending fire through my veins. He sucked on my bottom lip possessively and then captured my mouth again. I gasped as I breathed in his breath and tasted the richness of his masculine essence that called to a depth within my own soul.

It was too much. It was not enough. A crashing wave of desire and need. I couldn’t think clearly. My head was spinning.

All I knew was that he was mine.

My wolf howled in triumph and I swear on the Goddess his own beast howled in response.

I could hear it in my bones. In every fiber of my being. Ranger lifted me back to my feet to stand, never breaking our kiss, and I couldn’t let go either.

Now that I’d tasted him, I wanted more.

Catcalls and whistles filled the ballroom and I broke our kiss, shoving Ranger back. My chest heaved as I looked into his eyes, feeling the cameras on us, the lights blazing above, and hearing the cheers from the other contestants.

My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach from the knowledge of what he’d–what we’d–done.

And the arrogant asshole just smirked at me. “Guess I’ll see you in the Alpha Games, beautiful.”

*

Knowing it was the last time I’d enter the elimination room filled me with a numb sort of detachment. It’d only been a couple of weeks, but I felt different than the woman who’d first come here. I was still angry. But now I was angry enough to prove I belonged and that no one was going to scare me off this stupid show.

The other twenty-two contestants took their seats. One of the PAs checked my microphone and I made my way to the front row, ignoring the whispers. At least I could weed out the contestants who hadn’t tried to poison me with the way they accused me of hurting Opal. It was the silent ones I made sure to stare directly in the eye, letting them know I was looking.

“Hey.” Fallon sat down beside me as we waited for the makeup team to finish their touches on Jay. “So… You and my brother.”

The memory of the kiss last night flushed my cheeks and warmed parts of me that still ached long after the music died down and the ballroom cleared out. I laid awake tossing and turning, trying to make sense of what was happening to me.

I think I had an idea, but it wasn’t the time to flesh it out.

“It was just for the cameras,” I assured her, still trying to reassure myself.

“Sure it was.” Fallon smiled and got comfortable in her spot beside me. “We’re going to have to be careful now, okay?”

I turned to ask why, but Molly clapped her hands and called for our attention.

Jay Renfro took center stage on his mark. The lights dimmed. And the director yelled, “Action.”