Page 33 of Rogue Games

“That’s not the point.” I snap sulkily. “She’s up to something.”

“Good thing you don’t care about her then, or you’d be really annoyed.” I ignore the way Maggie smiles when I scowl at her. “Especially since you’ll have to watch the competition descend into chaos because you’ve made it impossible to get through.”

Shit. I did do that.

“It’s not impossible, it’s just Impossible to get through alone.”

Because no alpha is an island, and they’re going to learn that firsthand today. Without family and friends to support you, this job will chew you up and spit you out.

“Go. Shift and run back. I’m going to stroll back and enjoy the walk. You have potential future alphas to torture.” Maggie waves me away and lifts her gaze to the sun pointedly.

I do need to get back, and fast, so I can explain the event rules before they set off into the course. Not to see Jamie before the race begins.

Our new intrepid participants are about to learn the importance of teamwork. The hard way.

16

JAMIE

I didn’t sleep a wink. Or at least, that’s what it feels like as I drag myself out of bed and into the bathroom to freshen up for the day ahead.

A pair of stormy grey eyes kept disturbing my dreams. Even when he’s not here, Dean Reynolds is consuming my thoughts. Scowling, I’m furious at myself for reacting so strongly to a man I don’t even trust.

No ghosts, he says. But I don’t buy that for a second.

Just because my wolf has the hots for him doesn’t mean I should forget what I came here for. I want Wyatt to win the competition, yes, and it’s true it’s not safe being a lone female rogue, but those aren’t the only reasons I entered. I have questions I want answered, but I doubt Dean will tell me anything. He’s too stubborn, and he’d have to stay in the same room as me for longer than five minutes for that to work. But maybe I can find someone else who will.

First things first though, I need to make sure I get through the first round and can stick around. I decide to put last night behind me. Dean didn’t kick me out, and hopefully, I didn’t humiliate myself lusting after the intense alpha.

Toothbrush hanging out of my mouth, I’m pulling out something comfortable to wear during whatever cruel trial they have planned for us today when there’s a soft knock on the door. I sniff, but I can’t scent anything with toothpaste filling my mouth.

Maybe it’s Lynn. I could always ask her about the former luna. She might know something about what happened to her, especially if she works closely with Dean.

Pulling open the door, I’m about to invite her inside, when a wave of masculine scent almost floors me. It’s not Lynn standing on my doorstep, it’s Dean. His damp black hair hangs across his forehead, and his chest is bare. From the flush on his cheeks and the tiny mud splatters dotted across his tanned skin, I’m guessing he was out for a run. A long, hard one.

I want to reach out and touch him, but instead, I clasp my hands behind my back, unsure how to react after last night. Are we back to alpha and competitor?

When the toothpaste in my mouth starts to burn my throat, I remember what I was doing and leave Dean standing there while I run to the bathroom to spit. When I emerge, Dean’s already invited himself in and is closing the door quietly behind him.

We’re all alone.

His scent floods the bedroom. I thought this space was huge before, but with Dean’s big frame seeming to fill it entirely, it feels claustrophobic now. He takes his time revealing the reason for his visit while I stand there awkwardly and wait as his eyes scan every surface, looking for what, I don’t know. Finally, he returns his attention to me, his expression unreadable, but the tension in his shoulders tells me this isn’t a friendly chat.

I fold my arms across my chest, suddenly very aware that I’m braless under my oversized T-shirt. Thankfully it’s long enough to cover my lacy underwear, but barely. Tugging at the hem, I try to pull it further toward my knees, and as I do, Dean’s scorching gaze travels up my bare legs to glare at the strip of fabric blocking his view. His chest rises as he breathes deep, waiting a beat or two before exhaling slowly.

“I came here to apologise for last night,” he starts, ignoring my request. “I got carried away.”

My wolf is crushed. I have no idea what she expected. We seem to have wildly different expectations of how this was going to go.

“Dean, I know the dance was just for show. You don’t need to worry about me getting the wrong idea and acting butt hurt.”

My wolf has her own opinions about the handsome alpha, but I’m not going to admit that to him.

I climb up awkwardly to sit on the mattress, attempting to keep my dignity intact while also getting some space from this man, who seems to have sucked all the oxygen out of the room.

“I get it. I’m a rogue. Your pack is probably giving you shit for even talking to me. It’s no big deal. I’m used to it.”

Dean regards me curiously as I shift up the bed toward the pillows. He takes a step toward me, but his silence makes me nervous, so I continue to ramble as I scooch further away, aware my unguarded breasts are now jiggling with each move I make.

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