“Let’s get rolling,” she rushed out, trying to ignore the thudding of her heartbeat that arrived with her realization. “You’ve got to be well rested for your fight.” His brows narrowed in confusion at the rush of her words, but she didn’t wait around to indulge, making her way through the taproom at top speed. Dax plunked the cash on the table and followed suit, slinking behind her. The second she stepped outside, the humid summer air painted every square inch of her skin.
He grabbed her shoulder, the touch drawing her to an immediate halt. She whipped around to face him.
“You go from self-assured one second to aggressive the next.” Dax stood behind her, eyes gleaming. “Look, I know the mating bond is difficult to ignore, but no one’s forcing you into anything.”
She stood in front of him, inches away, as the air charged between them. His blue eyes glowed in intensity, and her wolf surged, desperate to claim him.
Fuck it.
Sierra lunged in, her lips crushing against his. A growl ripped from his throat at the collision, one that hummed against her mouth. The ache inside her grew painful in its intensity, a swell more powerful than any she’d experienced before. His lips scraped against hers, his mouth hot and demanding as his big palms settled around her waist. Her grip tightened in his hair, tugging the short strands as she crashed against him again and again, demanding more.
Need surged through so strongly she could barely think, so strongly it short-circuited her functions, and all at once she prepared to drown under the wave.
A loud pop echoed through the air, sending both of them leaping away from each other. Sierra glanced around for the source of the sound to spot a car backfiring. After the pipe bombs the night before, she still reacted on instinct.
Sierra sucked in a deep, shaky breath, not only startled but overcome by the sheer power of the emotions sweeping through her. As she glanced back and met Dax’s gaze, understanding reflected there as if the same realization hit him too. When they made the step, the moment they went all the way, she couldn’t turn back. They’d be mated for life. Even though the idea no longer made her bolt, it that wasn’t the sort of decision to be made because her hormones accelerated into overdrive.
Dax ran a hand through his hair, his gaze skating the ground as sheepishness claimed them both.
Sierra broke through, regaining her control. “If you manage to win this thing, that’s just a taste of what’s coming your way,” she said with a wink, projecting more assurance than she felt.
Dax cracked a smile, the light returning to his gaze. “Well then, you better be prepared for the full onslaught once I take down these bastards challenging me.” The spark of a fight flickered in his expression, one that burned through her.
She bared her teeth in defiance, even though what surfaced between them had her teetering on the edge of a canyon.
“Bring it.”
Chapter Twelve
Dax had woken up at the asscrack of dawn, and while he’d only slugged one cup of coffee down, his nerves jittered as if he’d drunk the whole pot. He rolled to the cabin where Ally and the others had taken refuge in Red Rock territory, the one where he’d met Sierra for that initial meeting. Even though the attack had happened a mere day and a half ago, an age had passed in his mind. Sweat pricked on his brow as he exited the car, stepping into the swampy humidity that had already descended today.
His nerves kicked into high gear when he approached the front door, but his mind kept drifting to Sierra. As of late, she’d pounded through his head to the point of obsession. Each piece of her puzzle he uncovered had him craving more of the resilient woman with a shattered past who’d never let it conquer her. Alone in his bed last night, he’d tossed and turned, the need consuming him to the point that even roping off a couple of times hadn’t taken the edge off.
Mating bond or no, the woman was the first he’d encountered who sustained his interest, who he could imagine something lasting with. Normally self-loathing would set in when they got too close, his father’s reminder, on replay, that he’d never be good enough. Except Sierra managed to push right through with an unparalleled determination. She grounded him and strengthened him in a way no other before had.
Sucking in a breath, he entered the cabin.
“Hey, boss,” Kyle called, leaning against the wall. “Heard you’re going to be taking on challengers from all over.”
“Testing my prowess against my brother isn’t enough,” Dax said, cracking a smile. “They want to make sure the Silver Springs alpha is best in the region.” He didn’t bother mentioning what would happen if either he or his brother failed, even though the weight of that possibility had kept him up at night. One misstep in these matches and the entire Silver Springs pack would get torn from their homes. These people he’d known his entire life could be separated.
Voices murmured throughout the place, but only six of his pack lingered in the cabin at the moment. Lana stayed with Rick, Marcy, and the kids in a rental cabin while Rick healed and Lana had space to grieve for Greg. He’d already had the talk with her. They were waiting to hold the funeral until after the fights, once the future of their pack was decided. The pit in his stomach stole his attention for a moment, but he had to put on a strong front. Dax nodded at the crew, making his way to the bedroom, where Ally lay bed-bound.
“That you, Williams?” she shouted. He grinned, walking through the open door.
“Ally-cat, how’re you healing up?” Dax leaned against the doorframe of the dimly lit room. Even with the sheets covering her, the wounded leg was out, wrapped, and elevated.
The blonde leaned forward, trying to disguise her wince with the movement. Her expressive face had grown pale from pain while she healed. The injury she’d sustained from the explosion hadn’t been minor, and that colloidal silver had made healing a bitch, as he’d suspected.
“Top shape. Is it time to rip Drew a new one yet?” Her voice was hoarse with venom. Even though she’d chosen Dax’s side, the complicated history she had with his brother wasn’t a secret. They’d been on and off again for a long time until Ally had enough of being treated like trash. That he’d been behind the bomb to leave her with physical scars was a cruel coincidence.
“Unfortunately I’ve got to combat every asshole in the area who wants to claim leadership first. The Tribe came rolling in and throwing down proclamations.” Dax crossed his arms over his chest.
Ally’s mouth quirked in a smile, the look giving her more of her former edge. “Lucky you. You’ll mop the floor with them.”
Pride burned in his chest at the faith his pack had in him, enough that they’d separate from the rest of their kin to follow. If he had any reason to fight, these people, his real family, were enough.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he tugged it out to glance at the screen. Unknown number. He lifted it, hitting the button to answer.
“Dax Williams, your first challenger has stepped to the plate,” Navi’s voice barked over the speaker. Ally crooked a brow, able to hear from across the room.
“Any word on my brother?” Dax asked. The line fell silent for a moment.
“Look.” Navi grew quieter. “The pipe bombs trace back to the reason we were in the region. While a couple of the injured placed Drew’s pack on the scene, the organization we’re hunting tends to draw randoms into the fold. No one could ID Drew, so he’s still allowed to participate. We can’t go on hearsay from a biased party.”
Dax’s chin jutted forward as he let out a breath of disappointment. “Understood.” If the Tribe wouldn’t lock away his brother for those crimes, then Dax would make sure Drew paid on the battlefield. “Who am I fighting today?”
“Dorlan Tully of the Underwood bear pack. The fight begins at noon at the Silver Springs testing ground. If you’re late, you forfeit the match.” At that, a click sounded as she hung up.
“Wish me luck,” he said, pushing off the doorframe. “We’ll be drinking tonight to celebrate my victory.” Dax winked and gave
a salute to acknowledge the rest of his pack as he walked through the cabin.
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Kyle shouted from the other room. “We want to see the bear pound your ass.”
Dax shook his head, unable to hide the grin on his face as he lifted his middle finger in the air. “Laugh it up, assholes. See you at the match.” He hopped out the door, his heart pounding in anticipation of the oncoming fight. The lion in him begged to launch into battle for his people, his territorial instinct strong, but the human side of him churned with unease.
One mistake, one loss, and his pack would be shattered for good—or worse, in the hands of his asshole brother.
* * * *
For the first time since the shakeup, Dax drove into the heart of his old territory without fear of retribution from his brother and the traitors. With the matches occurring, they’d be on their best behavior. Meanwhile, the Tribe sniffed around whatever secret business they’d gotten involved. He braced his forearm against the open window of his car, the breezes rushing in to tangle his hair and paste his sweat to his skin. The urge to fight pounded a marching beat in his chest, one that made him feel knife-edge alive.
With all the worries over Drew’s next move and the mating bond, focusing on winning one match dosed him with relief. The familiar trees of his forest flickered by, those knotty limbs half-leaning into the road and swaying as his truck raced along. The sun winked off the windshield as he adjusted his sunglasses. Despite the tension he and Sierra had left dangling between them, he couldn’t help but wonder if she’d show to support him today.
The dirt road appeared before Dax was ready, and he made an abrupt right, his truck rumbling over the uneven path. He’d been to these training grounds a thousand times before, but the last time remained raw and battered—when he’d fought his brother for alpha and the elders he’d grown up respecting had driven him from his home.
He bounced in the seat as his truck ripped down the road, tires crunching branches or kicking around loose stone. Birds chirped while foxes and deer rustled through the surrounding brush. Their sounds melded with the brisk scent of pine and rich loam of fertile earth that tickled his nose. If Dorlan Tully wanted to try to take a bite out of him, bring it. This was his territory—his home—and he refused to give up his lands.
The old lake he’d swum in as a kid glittered ahead, and Dax slowed. A couple of cars parked in the gravel spots that had been carved out long before his time. The wind carried a foreign scent, the damp musk of the bear shifter making Dax’s fangs protrude on instinct. A low, guttural growl ripped from his throat. If he glanced to the mirror, his eyes would be glowing as his beast emerged.
The old tree stumps and folding chairs they used during meetings had been pulled out to the sidelines while the beaten earth of the fighting circle remained pristine and clear. Already the five Tribe members he’d met the other day took their seats, right at the edge of the circle. A man he’d seen twice before paced in front of them, bulging arms crossed. The slope of Dorlan’s ebony eyes and the thick, even darker hair falling down his back in waves hinted at Cherokee heritage, and the man brimmed with more aggression than Dax remembered.
He pulled his truck to a quick halt and sucked in a deep breath. Calm and cool—patience would win him this fight, not rushing in half-assed and raging. And no mistake about it, he had to win.
Sun spilled through the trees, causing the lake to glow. The sight was a reminder of easier days with him and Drew when the only fights between them revolved around who could stay underwater longer. Dax rolled his shoulders back, pushing himself to stay loose and relaxed as he strode toward the Tribe.
He didn’t need to look to his left when tires crunched gravel as someone else pulled in. The moment she arrived, his body stood at attention like a tuning fork, honed to her. Even as Sierra slammed the door to her car and jogged up behind him, her presence caused a prickle along his skin, an awareness he couldn’t deny due to the bond between them.
“Is this the guy I’m supposed to be fighting?” Dax called out, his hands in his pockets as he strolled up to the Tribe. “When you said bear alpha, I was impressed—expecting some big, brawny thing—but instead, this beanpole shows up.” He flashed his teeth with his smile, knowing in this case he poked the bear.
Dorlan growled, a deep guttural bellow threatening to rip through the place.
Dax winked at him. “Save it for the match, hot stuff.” If looks could kill, he’d be dead at this point. Beyond all else, he excelled at pissing people off. What most didn’t realize was that in keeping his temper, he had the advantage. Besides, serious types were all too fun to torture. He’d delighted in pressing Sierra’s buttons from the moment they’d met.
“I’ve never seen Dorlan that irritated. You truly have a gift for annoyance,” Sierra murmured as she stepped beside him. Dax delivered a half bow with a flourish of his arm. She reached out to squeeze his shoulder. “Better hone all those skills into kicking his ass. You still owe me a favor that’s going to be tough to uphold if you’re not alpha of the Silver Springs pack.” The words were casual, as was the touch, but the scorching way she looked at him was anything but.
“Your wish is my command,” he said with a salute as Navi stepped away from the rest of the Tribe. The short woman cut the fiercest presence out of the Tribe members, like bringing a flamethrower to a shooting range.
“Enough with the pleasantries,” Navi cut them off. “You’re not here to flirt; you’re here to fight, Williams.” The sun caused her skin to glow, enhancing the contrast between the thick black lines of the tattoos marking her entire body.
He shrugged, trying not to let nerves overtake him. “Can’t help if I’m talented at both.” Navi crooked a brow at him, even though she fought with a twitch at her mouth threatening to turn into a smile.
“Come on, lion-boy,” Dorlan muttered, making his way to the center of the thirty-foot circle. “Let’s see if you can back up all your big talk.”
Despite the worry marching a consistent beat in the back of his brain, Dax sucked in the sweet breath of the moisture-laden summer air and flexed his arms, relishing the way the sun’s heat caressed his skin. The animalistic side of him welcomed this, the urge to mark his territory growing stronger with every step.
Dorlan faced him on the other side of the ring, his silence palpable.
Dax never liked ceremony, and too much seriousness grated on his nerves, but he’d have to be beyond stupid to mouth off too much in front of the Tribe. Even though he stood a chance against the big ole alpha from Underwood, every member of the Tribe, from pint-size Navi to big-beater Lucas, could thrash his ass into next Sunday. So he rolled his shoulders instead and faced his opponent, sizing up the asshole from Underwood who figured he could take a bite out of him.
“Shifted or human form?” Dax asked, glancing to the Tribe members who sat in their lawn chairs as if they were holding fucking court. Though in their case, they pretty much were. The size and strength of your beast reflected the individual, but with the way Dorlan’s eyes burned, this serious bastard planned on throwing all his weight into this match. Seeing him in action would tip off if he had reflexes to back up the brawn.
“Territory is the animal’s right,” Lucas said, his voice booming across the terrain. “So this challenge will be in your shifted forms.” He regarded both of them with his palms out and hands spread wide. At the announcement, Dax kicked off his loose pants and tossed his shirt out of the way while Dorlan followed suit.
“Dorlan Tully of the Underwood pack and Dax Williams of the Silver Springs pack, you are to face one another in combat over the terrain of the Silver Spring shifters. The first one who doesn’t rise, loses. The winner will advance to face the next contestant.” Lucas’s gaze sharpened as he regarded them.
Dax’s muscles tensed, waiting for the impending signal.
“Ready?” his voice boomed, the air thickening. Cars pulled up in the interim; closing doors and crunching gravel echoed over to wh
ere Dax stood. More folks approached the clearing by the minute, but the noise and the people had all become peripheral for Dax. Right here, right now, he focused on Dorlan while waiting for Lucas Diaz to say the word. Sweat trickled down his forehead, and he flexed his fingers.
“Fight,” Lucas shouted in a roar, his voice quaking the surrounding air.
At the sound of Lucas’s voice, Dax shifted.
His mountain lion surged to the surface, the transition happening as fast as falling water. His fangs emerged, claws pricked out, and the fur coated his skin as his bones began to meld in different directions. Within the span of a second, he no longer stood on two feet, but rather crouched on all four.
Ahead of him, Dorlan shifted into a hulking black bear, the fur ink-stain dark, and those eyes shrewd. The air around them turned as tense as a thundercloud as they began to circle the clearing. Shifters from the Red Rocks, Silver Springs, and Dorlan’s pack surrounded them on all sides, watching the match—most had a stake in the outcome. As the mountain lion, he could feel his people on the peripheral, presences who’d become his family over the years. And of course, he felt her there in attendance, her appearance bolstering his confidence.
Dorlan’s back paw kicked off. The motion snapped Dax’s focus to the forefront, but his muscles bristled at attention. The bear barreled for him, lumbering with the force of a falling tree trunk. Dax swerved back and forth in a radius of a couple of feet, not giving the bear a direct target to focus on. Even though Dorlan rushed for him like a juggernaut, Dax didn’t duck out of the way. Not yet.
He kept weaving, back and forth, back and forth as Dorlan thundered toward him, closer and closer. Dax’s heart hammered in his chest as his paws pounded a rhythm on the beaten earth.
Dorlan launched forward, feet away from him.
At the last second, Dax leaped to the right—out of the way. Dorlan skidded to a halt in the spot Dax had just been, kicking up dirt and pebbles in the process. Speed was of the essence. Seizing the seconds granted, he whipped around and sank his claws into Dorlan’s flank. The black bear growled, a thunder that quaked the earth around them, but before he could turn around the entire way, Dax disappeared from the spot, slinking away.
Tribal Spirit: Forged Alliances Page 11
