Page 47 of Alpha Games

I looked at the black fabric blocking the view of the lobby, wishing wolf shifters had cool powers like x-ray vision. Enhanced smell, strength, healing, and hearing were boring.

I also wanted to fly.

“Have you two made plans for mating season yet?” Jay asked casually like the thought of what was to come didn’t have my heart thumping harder and my gut twisting with all kinds of nervousness.

I shook my head.

“Answer the question, Aspen,” one of the sound crew whispered.

I took a deep breath, channeling my inner diva, and gave Jay a little wink. “I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”

“That was perfect.” A camera zoomed in closer to my face. “Say it again.”

I repeated myself and tried the wink, knowing it looked even faker the second time.

“One last question.” Jay was grinning as if someone spiked his lemonade. “Does your papa approve?”

“Approve of what?” I asked.

Jay’s smile fell. “You said he had to approve of your match when we did the stage interviews during the Luna Trials.”

“Oh, right.” I laughed, thinking of how awkward that conversation would beifit ever happened. “I guess we’ll have to ask him what he thinks.”

20

Ranger

“I think you might be an idiot,” Aspen’s papa growled over the phone.

“I think you might be right.”

The conversation was going well. I couldn’t remember the last time I was spoken to this way and could see where Aspen got her spunk. For a low-ranking shifter, the gruff old wolf had some Alpha in him.

“She doesn’t know you’re planning any of this?” he asked.

“Not yet,” I said. “I plan to take her on a date tonight to let her know everything.”

“You look a lot smarter on TV.” He sighed. “She isn’t going to like this, especially not the part where you were snooping on her phone call.”

“I understand and I’m willing to accept the fallout.” I’d learned in my position that it was sometimes easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Things worked faster that way.

“Well I’m not going to be the one to tell her anything,” he warned. “I want no part of this drama.”

“I don’t expect you to, sir.” I tossed in the title honestly. He may not have been my superior, but I already knew he’d earn my respect.

“I still think you might be a dumbass, but if what you say about that rat bastard Alpha Derek is true, I’ll be ready to leave when your boys get here.”

“Thank you,” I said.

This was easier than I hoped. There was the sound of some liquid sputtering from what I assumed was a coffee pot in the background. “Don’t thank me yet. I know my granddaughter and she’s going to give you hell for this.”

“I fully expect that.” I relaxed back against the computer chair, excited to deal with her bratty side.

I’ve got ideas.My beast’s tail twitched.

I shut him out, ignoring the images and sensations he was sending my way out of respect for her grandfather.

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