Page 31 of Frenzy
Courtland looked over at me, and his eyes conveyed what he was thinking as clearly as if he’d said it. We’d been together so long, we didn’t actually need words anymore.
If anything happens, you know what to do.
I snorted.If you lose to this geriatric old fuck, I will laugh my ass off as they put you in the ground.
He gave me the finger, but his lips twitched. Soon, he’d shut down completely, turn into the cold and emotionless Alpha he needed to be. Still, Court’s eyebrows drew together. Oh, we were going to have serious silent conversations. His eyes flicked to Pryce, who’d insisted on being here, and Bonnie, who was holding his hand.
Ah, we better have this conversation out loud. Stepping closer, I shook my head. “They’ll be fine, man. She’s lived here forever, has Radic, and people love her.”
Court sniffed. “I don’t like it. If it goes bad, or he gets lucky, try to convince them to leave with you. I don’t trust that there won’t be repercussions for choosing the side they did.”
I nodded, because I knew he wouldn’t focus until I promised. He nodded back, and started to unbutton the crisp white shirt he was wearing. Only Courtland would wear a business suit to a death match. He wore that shit like some men wore Kevlar.
One of the old Alphas who made up the Legion Generals—stupid fucking name, by the way—stood and walked into the middle of the arena. Actually, it might’ve been Joshua, who I’d gone to see with Radic the other day. He seemed alright; some of those old fucks had to go though, and soon. They were literally killing off their species with their prejudice.
“As you will know by now, there has been a challenge to the leadership of the Manix. The other Legion Generals and I have met with the contender and have decided that his claim is valid. Both parties have been given the opportunity to relinquish the challenge, but both have refused. The winner of today’s challenge will be Alpha General.”
There was an indistinct murmur of voices that traveled around the arena at Joshua’s words, but no one protested. That was interesting in itself.
“The winner will be by submission or death. No weapons, though shifting is permitted. The person who leaves this arena victorious will lead our species into the future.” His words weighed heavy on the crowd, and he turned to nod toward us, before indicating the Alpha General should enter the ring as well. The Alpha General shucked his clothes, shifting as he entered the ring.
I had to admit, he was more impressive in this form. He was a big fuck, probably bordering on seven feet, and I could understand why the people of Maxton had sat on their asses for so long. I still wasn’t worried though. I’d seen Court’s Beast in full killer mode. He’d obliterate this guy.
Court’s face was impassive as he slid off his dress pants, folding them neatly like he had all the time in the world. Completely uncaring that he was standing mostly naked in front of hundreds of people, except for some tight boxer shorts—because no one wanted their dick out in a fight.
I mean, I wouldn’t be ashamed of being almost naked either in his position because the man was beautiful. He had a long, sleek body, like a competitive swimmer or something. Broad across the shoulders, muscular right down to the V of his hips. His skin was flawless, and honestly, he made my mouth water. Judging by the scent of lust in our small group, I wasn’t the only one.
I looked over at Pryce, who was curling and uncurling his hand like he wanted to reach out and touch. As down as I was for that, Courtland needed his head in the game. I was used to his shift, but there was an audible gasp in the crowd as his Beast unfurled from the body of the man.
I stepped up close, though he towered over me by at least a foot and a half now. “He favors his right. The man has a slight weakness in his left knee that probably carries over to the Beast. Get it done so we can go home, Court. Don’t play.”
The Beast gave me a feral grin, his fangs so sharp they almost cut his slightly thinner bottom lip. Courtland might be cool as fucking Siberia, but the Beast inside him was anything but. I had no doubt in my mind that this overgrown armadillo/cat/hyena hybrid thing that they called a Manix was going to paint this arena with blood before he was done and relinquished control back to the man.
“I mean it, Court. We need these people to respect you, not have PTSD every time you’re within a ten foot radius.”
He snorted. “I’ve got it, Beta. I’m in control.” Yeah, now it was my turn to snort, but the Beast was done with the chit-chat, swaggering into the center of the ring like it was already his domain.
Joshua looked between them both, and I could tell he wanted to shift too or get the fuck out of dodge. I’d suggest the latter. He indicated they should face each other in the arena. “May the best Alpha succeed to lead the Pack,” he announced, then hotfooted it back to his seat. Smart Manix.
The arena fell completely silent as the two Alphas circled each other. The scent of Pryce’s distress was tickling my nose, and I looked over my shoulder to see that Radic had come to bracket his other side, Bonnie clutching Pryce’s hand so tightly it was hard to tell who was supporting whom.
I put both hands on the railing that ran the length of the arena and watched. The two Alphas stared each other down as they circled, the amount of Alpha power radiating off the two of them intense. I had no doubt that half the arena's inhabitants would be on the ground, baring their throats before the end of the fight.
The Alpha General looked tense, his body strung so tightly that it was making his movements almost jerky, whereas Courtland looked entirely relaxed, like this was just another day. I could tell that was pissing the Alpha General off too.
“Aren’t you going to attack, reject?”
I almost laughed at his taunt, because if this fool thought he could taunt Courtland into anything, he was sorely mistaken. Courtland ignored his words, continuing to stand there completely nonchalantly. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he started picking his claws in boredom.
The Alpha General smirked. “You’re right. You aren’t that reject. No, if anyone is a reject, it’s that little bitch who’s now covered in your scent like a common whore.”
The growl of rage that bellowed from Courtland’s chest, followed by a swell of Alpha aggression, made the lesser Betas in the crowd whimper and fall to their knees.
So, maybe I’d been wrong about not giving in to taunts, because in a move that was more like a blur than anything else, Courtland was in front of the Alpha General, whose face was comically surprised. Courtland grabbed him around the throat, throwing him across the sand. Oh, it was on now. Any thought of a diplomatic sparing had flown out the window.
The old Alpha was on his feet quickly and he flew at Courtland in a whirl of claws and fangs, one of the two cutting a huge gash down Court’s shoulder. The smell of first blood riled the audience, and there was the odd cheer here and there as the old Alpha inflicted a second cut. I wasn’t worried, as Court dodged the next two swipes. His huge hands were weapons as he stepped into the old Alpha’s space, slicing him open across the chest.
Dragging my eyes from the fight, I checked on our guys, who were strategically placed around the arena watching for an ambush. I didn’t trust this old fuck one bit. I noticed the vamps, as well as the Convocation member’s guards, were doing the same thing, when they could drag their eyes from the fight.
