Alpha Knight (Wolf Ridge High 2)

Finally, Bo shifts on his feet and releases me. “We’d better get to Fight Club.”

“Seriously? It’s called Fight Club?”

“Shifter Fight Club, yeah.”

I freeze as the realization hits me. “Oh shit. Is this like, cage fighting?”

“Yeah, definitely.” I get a glimpse of the pirate grin. “Don’t worry, I got this, Legs.”

My stomach tightens into a hard knot.

I sure as hell hope he’s right.

Chapter 13

Bo

I definitely didn’t know what I was getting myself into.

I’ve been in fights. With my buddies. With other shifters my age.

Not with full-grown shifters of other species.

It’s noon on a Sunday, but Shifter Fight Club is packed. I mean crazy-packed.

The smells alone overwhelm me. I’ve never seen so many different species of shifters. There are so many scents I can’t identify.

Trey’s girlfriend Sheridan struts around the place, giving orders and taking no prisoners. She’s hot as hell, but I’m careful not to look. I scent Trey’s mark on her, which means he could get very territorial and testy if he finds me disrespectful.

I have my own girl to protect, and my wolf is definitely riled up about all the possible dangers to her.

Too bad the worst one could be me.

I keep my hands at her waist, needing to feel her under me, to show my claim on her, even though she’s not marked.

She gets a ton of looks, but most aren’t friendly. They know she’s human, and humans probably aren’t allowed here. Or at least aren’t welcome.

In typical Sloane fashion, she doesn’t show any discomfort; she just tosses her hair and looks around coolly.

“I’m going to take Bo to the back, but you can stand behind the bar here, with Sheridan,” Trey tells her.

“Sheridan, this is Sloane, Bo’s girlfriend from Cave Hills.”

Sheridan was princess of the Wolf Ridge pack before she left to slum it with Trey, so she knows exactly what that means. She studies Sloane for a half-second before extending her hand. “Nice to meet you. You can stick back here with me where you’ll be safe while Bo fights. Sound good?”

Sloane nods. Again, she shows nothing, but I sense her unease. I give her hand a quick squeeze before I leave with Trey.

He gives me a pair of gym shorts to change into and a pep talk that I barely hear.

I’ve spotted my competitor, and he looks vicious. Bigger than me, but it’s not so much his size as it is the nasty expression on his face I find daunting. Like he wants to disembowel me.

Hopefully, that hasn’t happened here.

I jump around on the balls of my feet, listening to the roar of the crowd as the first fight gets underway.

Time speeds up. Or maybe it stands still. All I know is one minute I’m standing there waiting, the next minute, Trey is propelling me forward, into the cage, announcing my name and stats to the crowd.

I don’t even see the first punch coming. It flattens me, possibly breaking my cheekbone.

I roll and spring up, though, faster than he expects, and circle the cat. I think he’s a panther. No, maybe a jaguar. How the fuck do I know?

He jabs another punch, but I dodge this one. Try my own. I catch him in the ribs, but then he catches me, too.

We circle each other, throwing a few punches. I dodge the first two, then take a blow to the temple that drops me. My vision goes black. I don’t know for how long—maybe a second. I scramble back up, but the crowd is booing me.

The cat is laughing. He comes at me again. I’m dizzy, and I misjudge my punch, sending it wide. I take another one to the teeth and stumble back.

He advances. “You fighting for that girl you came with?” he taunts. “That pretty little piece of pussy?”

I growl. I know he’s trying to get rise out of me, but I can’t fucking help myself. I don’t like him talking about Sloane.

“Think she’s impressed with her little high school boyfriend right now?” he cackles. “I’m pretty sure she’s over there peeing her pants. Why the fuck would you bring a human to a place like this?”

He swings again, and I dart in, punching him square in the gut four times before he gets me back.

“Tell you what, wolfie. Let’s make a deal. If I win, I’ll give you my prize money if you let me take your pretty human for a ride.”

That’s it. I barely hold my wolf back as I lunge for him. I tackle him to the ground and pin him, punching his face over and over again. He stands no chance of getting free now. My brain’s only focused on one intent: to protect my female.

And to punish any threat to her.

I don’t even notice when he goes unconscious, only that Trey has to yank me off him, shouting, “Enough, Bo! It’s over—you won!”