Page 65 of Midnight Moon
“Asher? Are you going to answer me?”
His nostrils flared. I thought he’d continue to ignore the question. Instead, he said, “The Wilds Pack alpha is not ready to be mated, but he will do what is required for his pack.”
Without another word, Asher closed the distance between us. He brushed my shoulder as he walked by, then continued on to the clearing where others waited for our return.
I knew I should follow him, but my bare feet were stuck to the leaf-littered ground.
Unless I was mistaken, Asher just told me I might be mating a male who wanted nothing to do with me.
Chase pretty much told me the arrangement was politically inspired, but damn…
Resolve to find a way out of this situation burned brighter, fueled by my embarrassment.
I was freaking Blair Hemmings, future alpha of the Summit Pack. I was not some bargaining chip for a no-name, pack leader to earn a place among our race.
And I’d be damned if I let him, or anyone else, think otherwise.
Eighteen
“Ah, this is so nice,”Stephanie said from across the hot tub, submerging her bikini-clad chest into the steaming water. “Way better than being bored back home.”
Stephanie and her stepmother had arrived late last night, long after the second game ended. My best friend met me for breakfast this morning and, upon hearing today wouldn’t be a competition day, dragged me to Billings and booked us appointments at one of the local spas.
Despite my objection, I spent the better part of my afternoon being pampered. A fresh pedicure softened my heels after my barefoot adventure through the forest, and my toenails and fingernails gleamed with smooth, neutral polish.
Following our Swedish massages, Stephanie and I were given access to the spa’s water therapy room, which included a sauna, steam room, and hot tub. My best friend decided we would relax in the latter while I filled her in on everything that had happened since I’d left Colorado.
“This is nice,” I admitted, albeit a little begrudgingly. I’d really wanted to stay back and prepare for tomorrow’s game, but Stephanie wouldn’t hear of it.
That’s the trouble with knowing someone your entire life; they knew you too well.
It hadn’t taken Stephanie long to realize something big happened during the capture-the-flag game. She demanded answers, and I told her what I could.
She knew Asher fell into a pit, but I didn’t tell her about the silver net. I shared how a wolf tried to attack me, but Asher intervened before it could.
It felt wrong, but I kept my word and stayed silent about the rabid shifter. I, also, kept Asher’s theory about a sorcerer’s involvement to myself.
It was hard to keep secrets from Stephanie, mostly because she could read me like a book.
Fortunately for me, my best friend chose to focus her attention on the Asher parts of my story, completely ignoring the rest.
I continued, “Thanks for convincing me to come.”
“No problem.” Stephanie dipped her head below the water, unbothered by the high temperature. She came up, smoothing her hair and squeezing the water out of her braid, and added, “But, just so you know, I can think of a more fun way for you to relax. If you know what I mean…” She waggled her eyebrows.
“For the tenth time, no way.”
Stephanie pouted. “Why not? Asher is super hot, and he is clearly into you. You should go for it.”
“First off, he’s not into me. Second, he’s the enemy.”
“Oh, please.” Stephanie rolled her eyes. “He’s your competition, not your enemy. And he’s definitely into you.”
“Are you forgetting the fact he’s trying to win the Alpha Games so I can mate his alpha?”
Even if there were an attraction between us, Asher’s duty was to his alpha. That wasn’t exactly a great starting point for a potential romance.
“That doesn’t mean he’s not interested,” Stephanie pointed out. “Plus, I’m sure his alpha would back off if you and Asher were a thing. They just want an alliance with our pack. It doesn’t matter which of the Wilds shifters you mate with.”
