“Why are they bothering with a challenge if they know they’re going to lose?”
“Typically, the women want a chance to see if fate will pair me with them. They might want to tire me out before I fight someone who’s challenging me for my pack, because they know I almost never kill female challengers. Sometimes it’s a bit of both.”
“They can do that?”
“Alphas are supposed to be loved or at least respected by everyone who follows them. My position over all of the packs makes that much more difficult, so yeah, they can do that. I fight a lot more than most Alphas, and it’s always fine.”
Bloom let out a long breath. “I guess we should face them.”
“It won’t be too bad.”
“I have a hard time believing that.”
“You’ll see. For now, let’s get this over with.” I led her to my car, putting her safely inside the vehicle before speaking to the challengers.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
bloom
Maverick dealtwith the people he was going to have to fight a lot more smoothly than I would’ve expected. He let them know where to go and when to arrive, had them let their Alpha know they were challenging, then took the driver’s seat.
After the door shut, he leaned over the center console and murmured less than an inch away from my lips, “I’m going to need you to kiss me in front of all of them, Bloom.”
I only hesitated a beat before I leaned in and pressed my lips to his.
It was our second kiss, but even more than that, it was a statement to everyone outside.
We had claimed each other.
We wanted the bond.
They were challenging a wanted relationship.
It may not have been entirely true, but it didn’t feel like a lie.
I slid my hands into his hair, and deepened the kiss.
If we were going to give them a show, we might as well make it a good one.
Plus, he tasted incredible.
I couldn’t miss what just might be my last opportunity have his vanilla on my tongue. Ultimately, I didn’t know what the future would look like for us. If there was one. He could absolutely still walk away—and so could I.
Maverick’s chest rumbled as my tongue met his. He hauled me over the center console, setting me on his lap as the kiss graduated to a full-on makeout session.
At some point, I forgot we were performing and got into it.Reallyinto it. He did too.
His hands were on my face. Gripping my hips. kneading my ass.
Mine were pulling his hair. Digging into his shoulders. Moving over the thick swell of his arms.
His erection pressed against my center. He pulled me against him harder, but didn’t let me move my hips. When I tried, he held me too tightly.
It occurred to me that people were still watching, and I slowly pulled away.
“We’ve still got an audience.” He squeezed my ass again, a little harder. “If you want more when we get to the hotel, I’m all yours.”
My face was hot and my lips were swollen when I nodded.
