The Alpha’s Fated Choice (Alpha's Fated Encounter Trilogy #1)

“You won’t give me the time of day!” I retort.

“Because I don’t like you,” she spits out, and the vicious edge to her words take me aback. I’m sure I haven’t done anything to warrant such fury.

“You don’t even know me,” I point out.

Her voice is tense. “I’m getting to know you plenty right now.”

For a moment, I don’t understand what she means, and then it hits me.

I’m hard, and I’m pressing against her.

My eyes widen in shock. I didn’t even realize I was so turned on. My wolf, on the other hand, is pacing inside me, vibrating with the need to sniff this female. There’s something about her that is getting my animal agitated. It wants to bite her, lick her, groom her. It can’t decide what it wants, but it’s getting worked up.

Bewildered by this turn of events, I grit my teeth. What the hell is going on?

I release the poor woman from my grip, and she stands up. Her mask is still securely fastened to her face as she looks at me.

“What do you have to say to me that is so important?”

As I get to my feet, I close my eyes briefly, counting to ten and imagining Patrick dancing in the shower, naked. The horrifying image helps with redirecting my blood flow.

When I open my eyes, the female fighter has her hands on her hips, and I don’t know how, but I can tell she’s glaring at me from under that damn mask.

“Are you from this town?” I ask her, still fighting the embarrassment from a moment ago.

“Yes. Of course I am.”

“Do you mind if we talk without the mask?”

She lets out a sound that sounds like a cross between a sob and a hysterical laugh. “You must think me very stupid. If you want to talk to me, it’s going to have to be with this mask on. The only reason I’m talking to you at all right now is because you won’t stop harassing me!”

“Fair enough,” I murmur. “Do you have a sponsor for the matches you take part in?”

My question seems to take her by surprise. “A sponsor? No.”

“Then, I would like to sponsor you.”

She stares at me silently, and I wish I could see her face so I could know what she’s thinking.

“Why?” she asks bluntly. “What do you get out of it?”

I shrug, knowing I have to play this very carefully. “I’ve been watching you. You’re good at what you do. I would like to sponsor somebody who I know can win fights. It means more money for us.”

“That’s it? And what’s in it for me?”

I hesitate, not really sure what motivates her.

“I can make sure the pack security doesn’t find out what you’re doing.”

The Wily Vixen crosses her arms over her chest. “They won’t, with or without you.”

“We can also offer you more money than what you’re earning now.”

It’s a gamble, but when I see the way her body stiffens, I realize I’ve finally caught her. That’s what this is about. She needs the money.

“How much more?” she asks warily.

“How much do you make per fight now?”