Page 14 of Challenged Mate
I was so busy staring at the window display of a children’s boutique, I didn’t see a trio of males step into Chase’s path.
Kayla placed a hand on my arm, drawing my attention. Seeing the tight skin around her eyes, I followed her gaze and watched the three males approach.
Chase stopped. His chin lifted.
Immediately, I knew the guys were trouble.
I took each of them in, surprised to realize I recognized the one on the left. He was at the airfield when I arrived in Alaska. I believed his name was Orin.
The other two males were unfamiliar, but a quick sniff confirmed they were shifters. The group formed a three-person V. The one in front had dark blond hair, and his features reminded me of Chase. The third guy was shorter and stockier with a head of dull brown hair. All three of them were buff—like most male shifters.
“Morning Chase,” the one in front said with a voice that sounded like he smoked too many cigarettes. “I see you’re giving our guest of honor a tour.”
His gaze traveled to me. The way his eyes ran over my body reminded me of how Summit Pack ranchers examined their cattle. I didn’t like it. Not at all.
“Stanley,” Chase greeted with a bite. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“No.” The male—Stanley—continued to assess me. His nostrils flared. “Me and the boys caught a whiff of some potent magic on the breeze this morning, and we couldn’t resist the urge to seek out its source.” He gave me a pointed look.
My forehead creased.
Is he talking about me?
I fought the urge to ask the question aloud.
Instead, I maintained my best resting-bitch-face and forced myself not to fidget under his scrutiny. My wolf growled, demanding I not show any sign of weakness or unease around this guy. I listened to her. Something about him rubbed me the wrong way.
“The last thing Blair needs is to meet the pack assholes,” Kayla snapped.
I could barely contain my surprise. Kayla seemed like such a bubbly person—delivering such an insult seemed out of character.
“Now, now, Kayla bear. No need for name-calling.” Stanley shook his head with mock disappointment. “We’re all entitled to interact with the female who will become our pack’s next alpha-mate.” He reached over to a potted plant sitting in front of the children’s boutique. With a wave of his fingers, a pale purple flower bloomed on the leafy plant.
Magic.
Stanley plucked the flower, then extended his arm past Chase’s torso, holding it up for me to take. “It is an honor to meet you, Blair Hemmings. My name is Stanley Monroe. If you need someone to show you a moreexcitingtime, I’m your guy.”
I blinked. Was he hitting on me?
That’s when I realized who he reminded me of.
Tyler Kerr, the former Coastal Pack heir.
Growing up, I’d had a huge crush on the bleach-blond shifter. With his tan skin and luminescent eyes, he’d made me swoon. But then I grew up.
Just before the final match of the Alpha Games, I’d learned the Coastal Pack had allied with rogue sorcerers. They’d promised the Coastal Pack victory in exchange for Mother knows what.
Unfortunately for Tyler, even with the help of his magical allies, he wasn’t strong enough to defeat Asher. And he paid for his arrogance with his life.
Looking at Stanley, seeing the same arrogance shining from his gaze, I was instantly wary.
“Don’t be an idiot, Stanley,” Chase growled, shoving the guy’s hand down—the flower still in his grasp. “Our alpha will have your balls if you so much as lay a hand on her.”
Stanley snorted. “Unlike our alpha, I don’t need unbreakable Alpha Game rules to secure a mate. I would only touch Blair with her consent.”
Inside, I grimaced.
I barely managed to keep the emotion from my face.
