Page 77 of Bad Blood Panther

Chapter 31

Xander’s panther raised his muzzle into the air and gave a triumphant scream.

A stunned silence filled the arena. The Broken Hill Clan stared at the body of their fallen alpha.

At first, nobody moved. Then, slowly, like a wave, they bowed their heads in submission.

Jenny watched Xander look out over the arena, alpha energy oozing from every pore.

He’d been accepted into the shifter world. His panther was a badass to end all badasses. He was an alpha.

Power radiated from him, shivering through her, making her want to kneel to him. He Changed, turning to human. Bloody, battered, proud and magnificent.

He turned to one of the guards. “Get my son. Now. Take him to his mother.”

The man took off, beckoning to someone. In a moment, Brandon ran out of the crowd, yelling “Mama, mama!” and then she was swooping him up and holding him close.

She glanced over at Xander. When he first Changed back, he’d looked almost like a stranger, but now he gave her a faint version of his familiar cocky grin.

He walked over, encircling her and Brandon in his arms for a moment. “You okay?” he said.

She nodded. “You?”

“As long as you are.”

She leaned against him. “You defeated Alton. You’re the alpha now.” She didn’t want him to be alpha. She didn’t want to be the alpha’s mate. She didn’t want to leave the Bad Bloods. But he’d won the battle, and that was how it worked, all over the shifter world.

Broken Hill was his clan, now. He was responsible for them, unless he was defeated in a challenge.

Xander snorted. “Not to worry, babe. I can fix that.”

What?

“Take Brandon off the field.”

She looked at him questioningly, but he just jerked his head. He had enough alpha juice going that she went without argument.

She walked over to stand by Flynn. “What’s he doing?” she whispered.

Flynn shook his head. “No fucking clue.”

Xander turned to face the platform, and pointed at Trace Powell, still standing behind the throne. He was also still dressed; apparently, he wasn’t one of the people who had jumped at Cindi’s command.

“You!” Xander said. “Powell. Get down here!”

After a slight hesitation, Trace jumped down from the platform. He walked forward, warily, until he and Xander were about ten feet apart. He pulled off his t-shirt and tossed it aside, flexing his muscles.

Jenny bit her lips. She knew Trace. He was strong, and tough, and Xander was beat to hell. What was he thinking?

Xander folded his arms. “You the money guy?” he asked. “For the clan.”

Trace paused, looking confused. “I guess. I’m the CFO.”

He reached for his fly, to get rid of his jeans so he could fight. “Dude, cut that out,” Xander said. “I don’t want to see any more panther dicks today. Come here.”

Trace froze. “Come on,” Xander said. “I order you as alpha. Come and stand right in front of me.”

The whole crowd was watching, trying to figure out what was going on. Trace walked forward, looking to the right and left like he expected some kind of trap to spring on him.