Page 139 of Wolf Blood

I breathed slowly, and managed to calm my heartbeat a little over the next twenty minutes. I told Rhone he should go help Maverick, but he just grunted at me.

The remaining challengers withdrew, and left.

Someone took the body away. I didn't watch.

The Wilder wolves nodded at Maverick after exchanging a few words. They smacked him on the back, then disappeared into the forest carrying the bags they'd come with.

Rhone didn't get up.

Honestly, they were fine without him.

Maverick finally strode over to us, and Bloom stood up when he did. She laughed as he swept her off her feet and kissed her deeply. Cheers went up from the crowd of bloodthirsty werewolves around us.

Everyone left was part of the pack, and they had been making bets about the upcoming fight between Rhone and Maverick all day.

It wasn't going to be a challenge, so apparently, it didn't matter who won.

Rhone had definitely heard some of the enforcers talking about the bets. Given that he and Maverick were just as close as Bloom and I were, I knew he had told Mav what we were planning.

Given Maverick's personality, I was pretty sure he was going to make a big thing out of it just to get the pack excited.

Maverick suddenly pulled his mouth away from Bloom's.

Rhone sighed heavily.

I was totally right.

"Sugar," Maverick said, raising his voice dramatically. "Why do you smell like my Beta?"

"No reason," Bloom said innocently.

"If I'm wounded, I expect you to lick it better,"Rhone grumbled into my mind.

I bit back a grin.

Maverick turned an over-the-top glare toward Rhone, who set me down on the camping chair yet again.

"Get over here, Longfang."Mav swatted Bloom's ass lightly, earning a laugh as she walked back to me.

"My female smells just as much like you, Darkwood."

"Don't break him, Rhone," Bloom called over her shoulder.

"I think she just insulted you," Rhone tossed at Maverick.

"Shedefinitelyjust insulted me. So fucking cute." Maverick unbuttoned his jeans, wearing a vicious grin. Pretty much every part of him was flecked with blood, and there were large bruises all over his torso. "This is the part where they want us fight over our mates."

"It's not a challenge. No pack link, and no claws," Rhone warned.

"Agreed."

"They're horrible at playing along," Bloom whispered to me, earning a wink from Maverick that made her blush.

He'd probably propositioned her through their mate bond again.She wasn't shy about admitting when he did.

"At least they're nice to look at," I said.

"I should be covering your eyes again."