Toxic

“And if you lose?” asked a male voice to my left.

I didn’t bother turning my head. I kept my eyes locked on the big guy. “If I lose?” I shrugged. “Not going to happen, but if it does, then tell you what, you can all pack up and go home to hide in your caves, or dens, or wherever you park your furry asses when you’re not acting like obstinate children.”

And with that temper firing comment, I pivoted on my heel. I could feel the burning stares boring into my back as I strutted out to await my challengers.

I hoped there were several as I had a lot of frustration to work out.

Why is it I’m the only one who grasps that we need to come together now and prepare for the coming invasion?

Speaking of preparing, I stripped off my coat and blouse, leaving on only my black sports bra and stretchy black jeans. I enjoyed the feel of the cool evening air as it brushed over my skin, its touch hardening my nipples. I kicked off my boots, my bare feet providing a better grip on the paving stones of the courtyard.

People filed out, mostly shifters judging by the smell, but I also sensed some of my brethren, too, come to watch their general wrangle the animals back in line.

I stretched and warmed up, not truly a necessary act, but it helped focus my thoughts-well, one thought-win. I didn’t bother listening to the whispers rising from the huddled alphas. They could strategize all they wanted. I didn’t intend to lose.

“Come on. I haven’t got all night,” I called out, impatient at the delay.

The herd dispersed to ring the open area I’d chosen for the fight, and the battle for power began. They threw the minor alphas at me first. I yawned as I batted away their feeble punches. I didn’t even grimace as they rained blows on me. Heck, I didn’t even waver. When I’d felt they’d had enough time to take me out-unsuccessfully-I dropped them with a single blow and placed my bare foot on their throat.

After the fourth borderline alpha, I laughed aloud. I could see their plan-tire the vampire so that when the big guns came at me, I’d lack the strength to take them out.

Idiots.

I took care of the first round with ease. The watching crowd stopped jeering and instead glared at me with angry stares. “Ready to concede yet?” I asked.

Growls and booing catcalls answered me. Thus did the next round of attacks start with a tougher bunch of alphas. They were wiser to me by now and circled me cautiously before darting in to attack. I took them down with well-aimed kicks and blows. Several even shapeshifted into their animal forms with no success. I beat them all.

A light sweat covered my body, and my blood pumped fluently from the exertion. Nothing like a good workout to feel better.

My frustration mostly abated-and now being worn as bruises by the losers-I smiled at the last alpha standing, the behemoth from inside.

“Okay, big boy. Get your ass over here for a beating so I can be declared champ.”

“Cocky bitch,” he snapped. “Just because you beat them out doesn’t mean you’ll be able to take me. The leader position is mine.”

“Then I guess you should have done something about it before I had to butt in. Too late now. I’m not putting up with any more shit. You said the last one standing gets to be leader. Well, that’s you or me big guy, so let’s see how your pretty muscle does against little ol’ me.”

The massive alpha’s posture screamed pissed-off and despite my threats, he stalked towards me, stripping as he came to show off impressive musculature. Unfortunately for him, though, he wasn’t a match for my strength- actually neither were my brethren, including my queen. The only beings that actually came close, and recently surpassed it, were the daemons.

I smiled at the approaching alpha and bared some teeth. I couldn’t resist taunting him some more. “So did you want me to let you make a good showing or just get this done?”

He didn’t reply, just gave an inarticulate cry of rage and charged at me, his body rippling into that of a grizzly bear-a huge one with massive freaking teeth. Such a predictable move.

I met his charge without changing shape. I tackled his immense furry body, my momentum tumbling us to the ground. My hands wrapped around his throat and squeezed. He thrashed, snarled and snapped his teeth at me. I snarled and gnashed my teeth right back. The furry body shifted into something with skin. The behemoth’s hands came up to pry my hands from his neck. He also used his weight to roll our position until I lay under him.

I smiled up at him. “I know you like to be on top, but…” I rolled us again so that I ended up straddling him. “I prefer to be the one in charge.”

I finally allowed him to feel my full strength, my hands pinning him helplessly. I prepared to mark him, something I hadn’t done with the others. But with this stubborn fellow, I needed more than just a victory. I needed his loyalty. Putting myself in charge of the clans was all well and good, but I needed someone they’d actually listen to who could relay my orders and ensure things were done my way.

The alpha’s eyes widened as he caught my intent. He struggled fiercely beneath me, his body bucking as he attempted to throw me off. I clamped my thighs tighter and leaned in for a bite.

He bellowed in rage as my teeth punctured the skin of his neck. His wasn’t the only one crying out. A furry body came flying out of nowhere only to get batted down by someone who’d entered the ring of our battle. Intent on taking some of the alpha’s nourishing rich blood-which most vamps wouldn’t eat because they said it tasted funny-I ignored whomever came to my unnecessary aid. Truthfully, a whole football team could have tried to tackle me and I would have still kept my grip on the bearshifter’s neck. No one came between me and my food.

The body under me softened, and when I felt the erection poking at me, I knew he was mine. I gave one last suck, then released him.

As I stood, a familiar scent drifted past my nose and my most recent attempt to cure my frustration was washed away in an instant. I ignored the urge to turn and look at him. I had more pressing business to attend to.

The shifters surrounding my makeshift battleground fell silent. Shock and disbelief shone in their faces.

“Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me?” I gazed around, but nobody would meet my eyes. “Then I hereby declare myself leader of all the clans for the upcoming battle.” I could sense their misery at my words, their shame. I took a little pity on them. I’d gotten what I wanted, control of their clans. Now, I would give them back a bit of dignity. “Because of my many duties both now in preventing the incursions and the upcoming battle, I have decided to choose one among you to act as my lieutenant. You will obey his orders as if they came from my mouth or face my punishment. Rise Ursic.” My servile bond with the werebear gave me many things, including his name, and the fact he liked Chinese food.

His eyes still looked about somewhat vaguely, but at my proffered hand to help him up, he shook off his daze and bounded up.

“Ursic, as my lieutenant, I place you in charge of the clans in my absence.” I turned my gaze to the crowd. “Does anyone wish to contest his right to act as my second?”

As expected, the appointment of one of their own to lead them-after me of course-placated them to a certain extent. More so when Ursic, with a roar no fully human throat could utter, bellowed, “Death to the daemons.”

And that quickly I went from being surrounded by hostile shifters to back slapping ones.

I made sure my bafflement at their abrupt change in attitude didn’t show in my face. But I couldn’t stop the flush of heat when a familiar voice whispered in my ear. “We need to talk.”

Leaving the now celebrating shifters, I strutted away from Rafe, not even sparing him a glance. A part of me feared if I did I’d forget why I’d kicked him out of my life in the first place.

Stubborn man, his long stride caught him up to me and I forced myself to look ahead instead of to my side where I could sense him-and even worse, smell the unique aroma that tickled my hunger and wetted my panties.

“Go away,” I muttered.

“Not until you hear me out.”

“I am not interested in your excuses.” I also don’t trust myself not to jump your body and take what I want. Although, on second thought maybe I should. The idea had merit for not only would I assuage my lust, I’d discover if my touch was toxic to his kind. But stupid me, I didn’t want to kill him which I didn’t understand. Was I growing sentimental in my old age?