Lindley blocked his path. “You aren’t going anywhere. Our asses are staying home, yours included.”
“I wasn’t asking for permission.” He narrowed his eyes as irritation boiled in his veins. Fucker needed to let him pass. Now. Before his animal ripped out of his skin and tore into anyone stupid enough to stay in his path.
“Ease up,” Trent ordered.
Rhys turned to him, cruel expression on his face. Fuck orders. Fuck alphas doling them out. Fuck keeping himself on a tight leash. None of it mattered in the end.
“Are you going to stop me?” he snarled.
Uneasy silence swarmed the air. Rhys knew he should back down. Lower his eyes and expose his neck, even if submitting chafed his inner beast. For the good of the pride, he tried to tell himself, but the words sounded weak and hollow in his own head.
He didn’t give a shit that he challenged Trent. He didn’t want the top position. He just wanted to fight.
Trent grimaced after a moment. “Fine. Go,” he growled, eyes glowing with his inner beast. “Don’t expect us to come running if you get skinned alive out there.”
The man didn’t move.
Fucking alpha games. Rhys brushed past him, knocking him into a stumble with his shoulder. The growl that tumbled out of the man grated on his lion. The beast wanted to whip around and demand he make the noise to his fucking face.
Rhys stomped for his truck instead. Jaw clenched, he hauled himself inside and jammed his key in the ignition before swiveling his head to take in the surprise passenger crowded against her door.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he said, voice thick and full of gravel. His hands tightened around the wheel, turning his knuckles white. With the fury coursing through him or to stop himself from reaching for her, he didn’t know. His blood was already up and she smelled so fucking delicious. “You should go, little cat.”
Sage dragged down a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m just following orders.” Her voice shook, but she still lifted her eyes to meet his. Almost as tightly as he gripped the wheel, she clutched the carving he’d given her. “We’re not supposed to leave alone, remember?”
Fuck. Fuck. Rhys let off a gritty purr. Brave woman with a core of fire. The alpha backed down under the threat of him ripping the pride’s peaceful little existence to shreds, but here she was, locking her knees against the storm he wanted to unleash on the world.
He didn’t deserve her. None of them deserved her.
Rhys sped off the ranch before she could reconsider.
Chapter 11
What the hell was she doing?
Sage stared at the trees flashing on the side of the road. The breaks between the tall trunks strobed the light in a way that made her want to close her eyes, but she didn’t dare. Not with Rhys growling up a storm right next to her.
The man threw off dominance like crazy. Her lioness itched to get closer and scratched to make an escape, switching with nearly every rise and fall of his snarl.
She breathed through it. Somehow. Not like there was any changing her mind as they barreled down the road.
He needed someone to stand with him the same way he offered to stand with her. She just didn’t know how to be that person when her instincts wanted her to turtle inside herself and never, ever dare stick her head out again.
In no time at all, Rhys slowed and pulled into a rough, muddy parking lot where a handful of trucks waited for their owners to return. Defiant Dog, though there wasn’t a sign advertising the name of the bar.
She’d never stepped foot in the joint, but she’d heard its reputation. The hole in the wall was a rough place meant for the wild shifters who lived on the edge of enclave territory. The males in the pride didn’t like taking their mates there, preferring to visit the bar in the middle of town for any joint outings.
Was it any wonder? The ramshackle building didn’t look much different than the dens back on the ranch. Same general shape, anyway. Much more run down. She wouldn’t have been surprised to learn it got its start because some old enterprising ranch hand got tired of working in the sun, squatted in a rancher’s hut, and served up rotgut to the poor souls who passed his way.
“Why are we here?” she asked softly.
“Because...” Rhys’s low growl died completely. He frowned straight ahead and rubbed the heel of his hand over his heart. “Because a lot of bullshit can happen with me locked in a cage and you sitting with a bunch of strangers. This is safer.”
Safer, maybe. But not calm. His agitation was still off the charts. “Are you going to get into a brawl?”
He leaned his head against his seat and rolled his eyes to her. “Maybe.” His lips took on a wicked curve with his answer. “Does that bother you?”
Sage toyed with the lioness carving and refused to meet Rhys’s look. “A little.”
“Why does it matter if it’s here or at the fighting ring?”
“There are rules there. No one is going to get killed. You’ll be stopped if it goes too far.”
“Hector keeps a rifle behind the bar, and he’s a good shot.” Rhys kicked his door open and dropped to the ground.
Sage snapped upright and tracked the man marching for the door. He spun around, eyes full of challenge, and she was out of her seat before she could even think. “What do you mean he’s a good shot?” she asked, trailing after him. He shrugged, but didn’t answer. “Rhys? Has he shot you before?”
Despite what he said, she was almost certain the fighting ring would be a safer place. Especially when he swung the door open and she stepped into a thick wall of rank, dirty air and aggression.
Sage stopped in the middle of the doorway to let her eyes adjust to the dim light inside. Two
