Page 20 of Rogue Games

If I fucked my little badass right here in front of them all, would they get the message to keep their comments, and their hands, to themselves?

I close my eyes, wondering why the thought of bending her over one of these tables, hair wrapped around my fist, and pounding into her, claiming her with a savage bite and a dramatic howl, suddenly seems like a fucking amazing idea.

Not just to my wolf, but also to the man in me who’s apparently turned feral just from being close to her again.

I only realise I’ve stabbed my knife into the table when Maya’s hand takes mine and gently unwraps my fingers from around it. A few drops of blood slide down the stainless-steel blade, and Maya subtly presses a napkin into my hand to stem the bleeding before any of the sensitive noses around us pick up the scent.

“Dean?” My sister’s tone is laced with concern, but I can’t reassure her now, not when I’m struggling to remain calm.

I beg my wolf to see reason about this crazy attraction to a walking bad idea, but he sits back on his haunches and lets me suffer. She’s not mine, but this is still the most powerful connection I’ve ever felt.

I’m just going to have to find a way to deal with it a healthier way than my father.

“Mangy rogues.” One of the contestants closest to the entrance spits out the words, and a wave of discontent ripples through the crowd as Wyatt passes. “Only good for fucking and hunting.”

My protective instincts kick into overdrive as Jamie’s features tighten, body language going stiff.

How dare they make my guests uncomfortable?

Before I know it, I’m back on my feet. My low growl steadily increases in volume and anger until the focus of the entire room is on me. Clinking a glass is probably the traditional way to begin a toast but I’m not in the mood. It seems way too cheerful.

“As you’ve all noticed, we have two additional entrants. Yes, they are from outside the current pack structure. No, I don’t care what you think. No, there is nothing in the rules to say they can’t enter. Yes, anyone who has a problem with that can leave my territory right now and forfeit their place in the games.”

I ignore the stunned look on Jamie’s face and continue staring down any shifter who looks like they have a strong opinion on the matter. The shocked silence tells me they’re still processing.

“They will prove that they deserve their place here tomorrow, just like the rest of you, or they won’t, and like anyone else, they’ll be out. It’s that simple.” Pausing for effect, I wait until that sinks in. Most of these wolves will be returning home tomorrow.

Maybe the rogues will be among them, maybe they won’t.

“I’d recommend concentrating on your own performance, rather than those around you. Winning by trying to get others kicked out isn’t really winning at all. It just makes you look weak and scared.”

There are still some shifters giving Jamie and Wyatt some deadly looks, their hatred for rogues shining through, but most have remembered what they’re here for and are at least pretending to have some manners. Just to make my lack of tolerance for any bullshit clear, I add one last reminder.

“Don’t forget the rules. This is my territory. If you piss me off, I’ll happily send you packing. And remember, someone is always watching.”

Jamie’s golden eyes burn into the side of my face, but I refuse to look in her direction to see if she’s dazzled by my no-nonsense attitude or just mildly horrified by my outburst like everyone else appears to be.

Taking my seat again, I stare out over the crowd and dare any of the wolves here to challenge me on this. There are some unhappy faces, clenched jaws and gritted teeth. They’re pretending to accept the rogues in our midst, but there will be problems. I guarantee it.

I’ll have to keep a close eye on this situation. Having them stay in the packhouse now seems like a genius move.

“She’s beautiful,” Maya whispers. “And she looks like a badass. The smart guys here are going to be fighting over her instead of the pack.”

Red mist clouds the corners of my vision, and my head feels like it’s about to explode. I want to rip the eyes out of every male that looks her up and down, and piss in the sockets. That’s how territorial my wolf is feeling.

Fuck.

Shoving back from the table, my appetite completely gone, I snatch up my drink, and down it in one. This is not me, and I refuse to let my head be turned by some woman who’s probably just here to cause trouble.

Excusing myself, I leave the ballroom without looking back and storm through the packhouse.

When I reach the large patio at the rear and burst outside, I’m grateful there’s nobody there that expects me to talk to them. I tip my head back and suck in a deep lungful of air, trying to push her tempting scent out of my lungs.

I can’t do this. I can’t lose control. This event is my one opportunity to show everyone that our pack is no longer led by a vicious tyrant and is safe to work with once more. Murdering any man who looks at a woman who isn’t mine won’t help me.

Closing my eyes once more, I reach out to my wolf. Again, he retreats and leaves me to face my problems all on my own.

Why the fuck did she have to come here, to my pack, and mess with my head like this? Everyone already thinks I’m unhinged, now I’m acting like it.

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