As she grabbed her purse, a soft knock on the door made her tense for all of a second. The knock was way too soft to be Asher. “It’s open,” she called out as she rounded the desk.
A second later Lauren stepped in, glee all over her cousin’s pretty face. “You done for the day?”
Ella nodded. “Yeah, what’s up?”
“Asher has been challenged by five males from the hotel security team. He told them he’s going to accept all their challenges. It’s happening right now.”
“What?” Ella knew Asher could handle himself and she knew a little bit about his time in the military so he was well trained on top of being a strong shifter. The aura of power he possessed was stunning, but it didn’t stop the twinge of worry threading its way through her.
“Grant’s roped off the lowest underground garage and has guards at each door so no humans will stumble into the fighting.” Lauren was practically jumping up and down with excitement.
“What is wrong with you?” Ella demanded as she hurriedly locked the door behind them and headed for the elevators.
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen a good fight. And you just know Asher is going to put on a good show. That wolf is built.”
Ella could feel her claws pricking her palms as she fought to get her jaguar under control. She didn’t like any female talking about him, even her happily mated cousin who she loved like a sister. “Better not let your mate hear you say that,” she muttered as she jabbed the elevator button.
Lauren’s eyes widened. “Holy crap! I knew you liked him more than you’ve been pretending. I was just messing with you—not about the fight, that’s really happening.”
Instantly some of Ella’s tension eased, but not all of it. She was still worried about Asher taking on so many shifters one after the other. Especially since she’d suggested it. All she knew was, she was going to be there to make sure he was okay.
Chapter 5
Asher glanced over at his alpha as the fourth challenger limped away from the makeshift fighting ring. The underground parking garage was cold because it was winter, but he wore loose gym shorts and nothing else. With the combination of his shifter blood and his flow of adrenaline, he barely felt the chill in the air.
No one else seemed to feel it either. It seemed as if most of the freaking pack had shown up tonight. And they’d literally just decided to do this less than an hour ago. Shifters loved a good fight. It was in their blood.
Grant gave him a half smile and a nod, which he took as a sort of approval for taking out the first four shifters in less than a minute. When he’d told his cousin he was taking all challenges, Grant hadn’t balked. Because more than most, he understood the need to assert dominance and keep a tight rein on those under him.
Asher was surprised he hadn’t had more challengers. The fighting itself was a waste of time in the physical sense because Asher knew he was going to win. He was older than all five males by at least a century and had spent a hell of a long time in the military. While he wasn’t going to fight dirty, he was simply stronger and more experienced. But, this would give the security team what they wanted. A chance to take him down and to take out some of their aggression. Once he won, he could go about the business of running this place without worrying about being challenged in the future. Or the near future at least.
When the fifth challenger stepped inside the chalk circle, Asher scented her. Ella. He didn’t dare look around to find her because he couldn’t afford the distraction.
But that sun, sand and sex scent rose above everything and everyone else in the garage, wrapping around him. Teasing him. Making his wolf claw against the surface, wanting to show off for his female.
Asher was in complete agreement with his inner beast. It was a total caveman thing, but he wouldn’t attempt to fight biology. Right now he needed to show Ella that he was the most capable male in this garage. That he could protect her against anything.
Davis, the final contender, was about fifty, though he looked to be in his twenties. Over six feet, he was taller than Asher, leaner and in good shape as most shifters were. As Davis moved toward him, slowly circling with an almost feline grace, Asher realized this challenger would be more worthy of a fight than the others.
Good. He needed to let out some aggression too.
Asher kept his hands up in front of him in the standard fighting pose, his body loose and remained light on his feet. Circling with the other wolf, Asher waited, letting him make the first move.
After a few seconds, Davis’s jaw tightened and he struck out with his left fist. Anticipating the blow, Asher dodged to the side with ease.