Page 30 of Midnight Moon
“We were detained.” Asher’s chilly tone brooked no further comment. He and Chase stopped walking before they bumped into the empty table in front of them.
Chase glared around the room while Asher asked, “What did we miss?”
Alpha Kurt bristled at Asher’s curt manner. I wasn’t sure if he was going to challenge his behavior when he replied, “The first game is a hunt.” The Badlands leader also explained the point system of the games.
Asher nodded along. When the alpha finished his explanation, he said, “Understood.”
Alpha Kurt waited for Asher to say more. When he didn’t, the Badlands alpha moved his attention to the other shifters in the room.
“All competing shifters will meet at the eastern edge of our pack lands, bordering the forest edge, before sunrise. Arrive late, and you will be disqualified. Any questions?”
When no one said a word, Alpha Kurt and his packmates stepped away from the podium. They disappeared to the private rooms located off the hallway behind the fireplace.
Conversation resumed around the room.
Without stopping to think about what I was doing, I hopped up and rushed over to Asher and Chase. Vaguely, I heard my father call my name. I ignored him.
The Wilds shifters glared at anyone who looked their way, but their hostility visibly cooled when their focus landed on me.
“Blair,” Asher greeted.
I gave him a nod, but my attention was on Chase. “What happened?”
It was subtle, but I noticed him tense. “What do you mean?” He cracked an easy-going smile, but I wasn’t falling for it.
“Your face.” I motioned to his bruises. “And your arms. What happened?”
Rather than answer, Chase turned to Asher. The two shared a long look. It seemed like they were having a silent conversation.
Seconds later, Asher met my questioning stare. “What’s wrong with his face and arms?”
My mouth popped open. “Are you kidding me?”
Asher kept a blank face.
I shook my head, appalled by whatever joke he was playing. “Well, for starters, he looks like he was someone’s punching bag for their morning workout—Hey!”
Before I could finish, Asher grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the nearby exit. If others noticed my forced departure, they did not intervene.
Asher tugged me behind him. Chase followed. I didn’t resist, but I seethed at being manhandled.
Asher released my arm once we were outside, and the hall’s door closed.
I closed the distance between us and jabbed my finger into Asher’s chest. “What the hell? You didn’t need to drag me out of there like a dog.”
It was a miracle my pack didn’t see. If they had, no doubt they would’ve run after me and put Asher in his place.
Asher captured my hand before I could jab him again. My pulse spiked. “I apologize. I didn’t want to continue our conversation with so many watching.”
I could understand that.
I ripped my hand away. “Well, next time, just ask me to step outside. Okay?”
The corner of his lip twitched. “Okay.”
I crossed my arms and pretended to rub away the morning’s chill. When, really, I was trying to hide the pleased shivers his almost-smile sent through my traitorous body.
“What’s going on?”
