Page 31 of Rogue Games

The girls from earlier have their heads huddled together, whispering in delight in a far corner. But there are others, far less happy, muttering about how disgraceful it is for an alpha to be dancing with a rogue, and throwing poisonous looks my way.

“He’s so dreamy, isn’t he?” Ava muses, suddenly appearing at my side. I rest my hand on her arm to steady myself and give my head a little shake to clear the fog. “I’ve never seen him enjoy himself like that before. Maybe the games will be good for him.”

I stare after him as he disappears through the door without looking back. I’m struggling to get a handle on Dean, the only thing I can say for certain is that he’s not what I expected. I just can’t tell whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing yet.

“I've seen it all now.” Someone hisses behind me, and I’m brought back to reality with a bang. I’m a rogue. He’s an alpha. One dance doesn’t change anything.

“Does she think spreading her legs will get her through?”

Fuck, is that what everyone’s going to think? That I got in by sleeping with the event organiser. Bristling at the notion, I ball my hands into fists and make for the exit. I don’t need to be on anyone else’s radar, I just need to get through the first round.

He’ll take what he wants.

Was that a threat or a promise? I should be scared after having a dangerous alpha warn me like that. What he could take, with ease, is my life.

I should be eternally grateful to still be free, let alone be able to compete tomorrow, but I’m not. Frankly, my wolf enjoyed that way too much. She didn’t want it to end.

He’s not this nice guy, I remind myself. He’s simply trusting the qualification round tomorrow to do his dirty work for him. That way, he doesn’t look like an asshole for kicking me out. Well, he better be prepared to be seriously disappointed, because he’s not getting rid of me that easily.

Humiliation burns within me as I feel the dampness between my thighs as I walk. I’m in danger of making a fool of myself, and of losing sight of why I’m here. As I edge through the crowds gathered around the dance floor, I can hear the whispers following me.

Why is Dean dancing with her?

Who does she think she is trying to bag an alpha?

Huffing out a shaky breath, I convince myself that my reaction is obviously brought on by having the hands of any handsome man on my body, not specifically him. Not him. It’s just been too long. I’m starved of affection and reading too much into it.

On unsteady feet, I walk back into the hallway, my body jittery from adrenaline dumping into me mere minutes ago. I come to a stop outside his office, replaying what happened earlier. It takes me a moment to realise that he’s left the door open.

This feels like a trap. It’s too good to be true. I hold my breath and listen for the sound of his footsteps, but there’s nothing. Not wanting to push my luck and get caught being up to no good twice in one evening, I quickly scan the room for anything easily accessible or promising. I need clues, ones that I can preferably get without having to leave my scent all over his things. Lifting papers with a letter opener left on the edge of his table, all I see are registration forms for the event. There’s nothing here that wouldn’t belong in any office.

Groaning in disappointment, I tap my nails on the desktop and drop into Dean’s chair, before it dawns on me what’s wrong. It’s stiff and barely smells like the man himself. Without him here to flood the room with his scent, this place doesn’t carry his scent at all.

Because this isn’t really his study.

Which means he has a secret office somewhere else. And I need to find it.

15

DEAN

Sitting out on the bluff, legs dangling over the edge, I sweep a handful of pebbles over the side, watching them tumble down the sheer drop into the churning river below. The sun is beginning to rise over the distant hills, bathing my land in pale yellows, and turning the floating fluff from the cottonwoods into dancing orbs of light.

I lean back on my hands and turn my face up to the sun, letting its weak rays caress my skin. It’s quiet and peaceful out here, a stark contrast to the riot of emotions inside me. Today is going to be a long day. I’m going to need all the chill and zen I can muster. It’s not something that comes naturally to me.

And it definitely wasn’t coming to me last night as the feeling of holding Jamie in my arms stirred a longing deep within me that I’m not so sure I want to resist. A woman is the last thing I need in my life right now. The pack is the only thing I should be focused on. That, and getting through the games without killing someone.

“You’re ruining my alone time,” I whisper as a pair of slim legs enter the periphery of my vision, before dropping down to join mine hanging over the cliff.

“Pretend I’m not here then.” Maggie leans closer and rests her head on my shoulder.

“I’m a wolf. That’s not going to work.” I relax a little. My stepmum’s quietly reassuring presence has always helped keep me on an even keel. We sit here, saying nothing, just basking in the golden glow of the morning sun, and each other’s company.

“Maya was here earlier,” Maggie says quietly, and I nod. “She seems happy. Being mated has eased her pain.”

I close my eyes, knowing Maggie would love to see me with someone. She thinks it will help me move on. But I don’t think sharing my darkest secrets with someone else is going to magically erase those wounds.

Maya doesn’t remember our Mum as well as I do, being younger when she died, but she knows she missed out on having her in her life. The flattened grass beside where I sit, and the faint trace of her scent lingering tells me she stayed for a while too. Thinking. Wondering what could have been done to prevent her death.