Page 3 of Wilder Obsessions

“Yeah,” he trails off, looking around my custom motorcycle shop.I’ve got a few beauties on display for when my high-end customers come in.“You’ve been busy?”

“Something like that.People don’t realize a custom motorcycle builder’s job isn’t just tuning engines.I have a waiting list longer than the line at Halley’s.”I lean back against the bar, tapping my fingers in an anxious rhythm.

“Well, Black Thunder Motorcycles is the best in the state.Fuck, maybe the country.You need to hire more employees so you aren’t working your life away.”

“I don’t like people.You know this,” I remind him.

Kody chuckles, shaking his head.“You need to let go of that tension, man.By the way, there’s a fight tonight.Want in?”

That piques my interest.It’s been a while since I was in the ring, slamming my claws into some unsuspecting soul.The adrenaline rush soothes the anger buried deep within, if only for a little while.

“Who’s the opponent?”I ask, not that it really matters.I could kill any motherfucker who crosses me.It doesn’t always get that far, depending on whether the fight is to the death, and most of mine are.Why the hell would I waste my time on some pansy tap-out session if I can kill the beast?

“Draken,” he answers, making me snap my head to his.My brow furrows, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Does he have a death wish?”

“Apparently.He’s been running his mouth that he can beat your ass.”Kody raises an eyebrow, a sly grin forming on his lips.“He’s gotten the attention of the club bidders.”

That makes me bark out a laugh.Draken is a coyote shifter and a fool if he thinks his skills could ever compare to mine.“That little mutt thinks he can take me?He’s more delusional than I thought!”

“Hey, don’t sleep on the guy.He’s got speed, just be careful,” Kody warns as he helps himself to my liquor, then leans against the desk.

“Speed?Fuck, he’ll be greasing up the floor before I even break a sweat,” I remark, refilling my glass and feeling the spark of competition ignite inside me.

“Just remember, it’s not just about you out there.”Kody grins, lifting his glass in my direction.“You have a reputation to uphold.”

I nudge him with my shoulder.“Yeah, yeah.I know.I’m the wild card,” I smirk, but beneath it lies raw anticipation.

The city hums across all the walls of my shop, the night serenading the hidden beasts that walk among humans.I finish my drink and catch Kody’s eye.“When do I have to be there?”

“Midnight at The Gin Room.”He raises his glass, and I join him with my own half-full tumbler.“You’re going to smash his face so hard he’ll think he’s fighting a fucking freight train.”

“Always the best hype man,” I add, clapping him on the back.My mood lifts as the thrill of the fight floods my veins.Kody is the only one in this city who knows about my past.He knew I was escaping something dark when he found me on the streets that first week I got here.I was a mess, slumming it in the alleys, taking anything as long as it took the pain away for a couple hours.As much as I tried to push him away, he kept coming around, until he finally grew on me.I got cleaned up and started my own business, and I have to say, the money is top notch.He’s the only friend I have since leaving my old life in Colorado behind.

“Brothers, man,” he corrects, slinging the rest of his bourbon back.

The clock strikes twelve as we walk into The Gin Room, a rich upscale bar in the heart of the city.This place is known for its exclusivity, meaning only the wealthy can pass through those doors.Fortunately, my business affords me such luxuries.The first floor opens to a large, lavish bar tucked between private velvety, leather booths.Black marble covers every surface, making it gleam under the twinkling lights above.All of the handcrafted cocktails are served by well-dressed bartenders as the patrons mingle.A low thrum of music whisks through the room, sending a few couples to the dance floor.The atmosphere is sophisticated without being suffocating.This isn’t a bar I frequent for drinks, but when I do, the opulence is always impressive.

Instead of taking a right into the main floor, Kody and I make our way down a long corridor, then down the spiral staircase to the lower level.The dim lights strain to illuminate the throng of eager faces crowding the underground arena.The scent of sweat mixed with liquor and primal energy fills my nostrils.The roars of the crowd, a cacophony urging me to unleash chaos.I can feel my beast stirring, clawing at the human side of me, pushing for release.We needed this.

“Wilder, you made it!”a familiar voice calls out, and I spot Lena, a wolf shifter with a fierce reputation of her own.“You’re not backing out, are you?”She steps closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief.She’s a drunken mistake from a year ago, but that doesn’t stop her from pawing at me every chance she gets.

“I don’t back out of challenges.Now, where is this little coyote wannabe?”I smile, looking through the crowd for my next victim.

“He’s in the back, throwing a fit.He didn’t expect you to take up the offer.You rattled him more than you know,” she explains, her voice laced with excitement.Kody throws his head back in a laugh.

“Well, my boy needed to unleash some aggression,” he says and smirks.Lena’s eyes flare, thinking he means something more than a fight.Not fucking happening.

“Just the fight,” I add, directed at her, causing Kody to bark out another laugh.

“Come on, let’s get you checked in.”I nod, following him to the back of the room.We pass the ring where two wolves are fighting with no finesse.

“You know you could have your pick of anyone in here.Why not take Lena up on her offer?She’s dying for another sample of Wilder Black,” he hollers above the crowd.

“I don’t double dip.You know that.”

“Of course I do.Every chick in here knows.But that doesn’t make them any less determined to be the one to tame your beast.”He laughs, making me roll my eyes.He can joke all he wants but he knows I will never go down that road again.It’s not in my genes anymore.

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