“Four.”
I let out a relieved breath.
It was a lot, but he had handled more in Erren.
“How many are women?”
The way he clearly debated his answer was enough to tell me something was up.
“Four.”
I smacked him on the arm. He didn’t even flinch. “How many are there, total?”
“Fifty-eight.”The answer was grudging.
My body stilled.
I stared up at him.
He stared down at me.“God, you’re beautiful.”
“You are not fighting fifty-eight people today because of me. Tell them we broke up. Tell them you’re not interested in me anymore. Tell them?—“
“I’m not fighting fifty-eight people today. It’s standard to space the fights out by an hour or two. Sometimes three. Some Alphas only agree to one a day. I usually do it back-to-back to get it all over with, but some of the guys are big fuckers, so taking the hour seemed like a better call. There will be sixteen fights a day for the next three days, and ten on the fourth.”
“What?” My snarl could’ve rivaled any wolves’. “You’re not fighting for four days straight.”
“I am. It’s part of being an Alpha.”
“It’s because ofme. Can’t we go out and show them that we’re taking the bond seriously, like last time?”
“No. You’re not leaving these rooms.” He gestured between the doors on either side of the hallway. Our room, and Harper’s. “Even if you did, that wouldn’t work on these people. They didn’t travel here to see if I’m really fated to a vampire. Half of them are young, stupid shitheads who are cocky enough to think this is their chance to be king. The other half are old and scarred, and detest vampires. I’m going to have to kill some of them.”
I shook my head. “I’m not staying locked in here while you’re risking your life fighting people just as strong as you are, Maverick.”
“They aren’t as strong as me. And unlike them, I’ve got something to fight for.” He kissed me lightly.
“If they’re fighting for people they’ve lost, they do too.”
“I’ve done both, and it’s not the same.”
The door at my back opened. I stumbled, but Maverick steadied me with a hand on my lower back.
“What’s going on out here?” Harper asked, leaning against the doorway. “Steamy hallway makeout?”
“No. Maverick was just telling me that he’s going to fight gigantic werewolves today, tomorrow, the next day, and the day after, just because they hate that he’s fated to a vampire.” I scowled in his direction, pushing his hand away from me
There was a beat of silence before Harper replied. “Cool. Can we watch?”
I shot her a look. “Not cool, and no, he wants us to literally stay locked in here while he potentially dies at the hand of some prejudiced dick.”
“I’m not going to die, and you’re just going to be a target if you’re outside.”
“So you want me to sit here while you risk your life and?—”
“Bloom.” Maverick interrupted me. “I won’t be able to fight while you’re sitting out in the open where anyone could kill you. It was a distraction in Erren, and the guys here are going to be a lot stronger. If you’re at risk, I won’t be at the top of my game. I understand your reasoning, and I would feel the same way, but it’s not safe for either of us.”
The rest of my protests died in my throat.
