Alpha Contender Boxed Set: BWWM Paranormal shifter romance BBW

by Terry Bolryder

  “But with flags?” I ask. “How will that get their aggression out?”

  As if on cue, Thor rips his belt off and chucks it onto the ground, hard. “I’m not playing flag. Tackle or nothing, who’s with me?”

  A couple shrugs, some cheers of assent, and only Matt looks a little wary of the whole thing. Given just how much smaller he is than the other guys, I can’t blame him.

  He looks mildly terrified.

  Thor looks extremely happy.

  “Shorty is on my team,” he says, grabbing the smaller man around the shoulders. I laugh as Matt scowls and pushes away.

  “Not on your life,” he grumbles.

  Thor grins in my direction and pulls his shirt over his head to reveal smooth, gleaming muscle. I almost have to hold my hand up to cover the glare from his abs.

  “Ready to see how Sylvester plays sports?” Thor asks, giving me a cocky grin.

  Fifi rolls his eyes. He has his hair in a ponytail with a headband in front of it, and is wearing normal basketball shorts and a tee shirt. Miracle of miracles.

  My eyes go to Lindon, who is standing with Bradley and Lock in a small circle of hot, tall, ripped men. I sigh inwardly and Hawes laughs.

  “You know, until I met Rose, I would have thought this was the most awesome thing, if the situations were reversed. You know, me picking from a bunch of hot chicks,” Hawes says.

  “But?”

  He nods. “But since her, I’m just glad I never had to do this. One is enough. One is perfect, when it’s the right one.”

  I eye him suspiciously. “Why are you telling me this?”

  He shrugs innocently and leans back on his hands on the grass. “Well, no reason. Just a thought.”

  If that wasn’t a push toward picking Lindon, I don’t know what else is. Even Rowan seemed to think we’d be a good pair, putting us together here. I don’t believe it was solely to protect me. He could have hired someone for that with all of his money. No, I think the people around Lindon see what I can’t.

  That maybe I’m perfect for him. Sure, I frustrate him and make him break out of his perfect little shell, and make him angry and out of control at times. But that’s what makes me perfect.

  But, eyeing the men on the field as half of them take off shirts so they can play shirts and skins, I realize I don’t have to be that heartbroken if Lindon doesn’t want me. My inner wolf seems to be saying that as long as we get a mate, she’ll be okay.

  So maybe we aren’t fated after all.

  “Hawes, what are fated mates?” I ask.

  He takes a deep breath and looks over at me. “Why do you ask?”

  “Did Lindon have one?”

  He shrugs. “I don’t know. I kind of felt like me and Rose were fated mates. But then again, once you’re in love with someone and want to mate them, I guess you’re fated to be mates in a way. I guess it depends if you believe in soul mates. There’s some old werewolf lore about mates meant from birth for each other. But I’m not sure if it’s just something the elders passed down as excuses for arranged matings.”

  “Ah.”

  “But it’s been sort of romanticized to mean someone you want to be with, when you can only be with that one person and no one else. Some people say my dad was that way with his first mate, River. No one who came after could replace her.”

  “What happened to her?” I ask.

  “You’d have to ask Rowan. I was little and people don’t talk about it. Anyway, that’s what I know about fated mates. Maybe Rowan would know more. You could call him.”

  I shake my head vigorously. Calling the intimidating man is the last thing on my mind.

  “Anyway, I’m not sure it matters. I think our choices matter more than our fate, but that’s just me,” he says. “I like to think that we choose our fate with our choices, and success in a mating comes more from deciding that no matter what, you are going to stay by a partner, rather than some hooey magical beans idea.”

  “Magical beans?” I ask.

  He grins. “Sorry, I don’t know a lot of fairytales.” He stands. “Do you mind if I play?”

  “No, be my guest,” I say, as he strips off his shirt to go join Lindon’s team. I avert my eyes so that I don’t ogle him, aware that somewhere there’s a woman who loves him and is letting him be here helping me instead of staying at her side. I’ll send him home to her soon.

  I watch his wide back walk away, and then he turns and gives me a mischievous grin over his shoulder.

  “And Misty?”

  “Yes?” I ask.

  “Sometimes the real thing is better than the fairytale.” He winks at me and then turns to jog onto the field. He goes up to slap Lindon on the back and stand next to him as they talk plays, and Lindon gives me a mildly irritated glare but tolerates his presence.

  I get the feeling Hawes set this up as much for his own need to have some guy time as it was for me to see man flesh.

  Speaking of which, oh gosh, Lindon is so hot shirtless. He’s wearing low riding basketball shorts in a silver color that looks great with his naturally light tan skin, and his long, lean calves are perfection, tapering to gorgeous ankles and…huge feet…in expensive tennis shoes.

  He looks up and catches me watching him and purses his lips in irritation. Almost like he’s issuing me a challenge. He raises to his full height and listens when Lock says something to him, but keeps his eyes on mine.

  I can feel heat build within me. He’s watching me and he’s not even trying to hide it. My body is growing more aware of him by the second.

  I take a deep breath and let it out when he finally breaks the eye contact. Is he mad at me? Wanting to kiss me? Embarrassed about this morning? I’d give anything to get inside his head and see those thoughts.

  The game is starting soon and the teams line up. The rules are going to be a little more casual, given how few players we have. My guess is it’ll just be throw and run for the touchdown and try to tackle each other in between.

  Damn, I wouldn’t mind seeing a few of them tackled by one another. Nothing wrong with some hot man on man action.

  The teams are Thor, Lock, Bradley, Hawes and Lindon, verses Asher, Jack, Matt, Fifi, Tim and Tom. I’m guessing they don’t mind having an extra person on one team when that person is Matt.

  Even Fifi is really tall and athletic, and I’m sure he’ll keep up fine. But I do sort of hope no one squashes Matt. Fifi puts a hand in his hair and ruffles it and Matt reacts like an angry cat, batting his hand away.

  Ever since he saved me, I’ve had a stronger bond with the smaller, prettier man.

  Thor is strutting with the ball under one arm, and he and Hawes seem the most enthusiastic about the game. Lindon is focused, and I love the look of his perfect, angelic features when they’re tightened in thought.

  That nose could cut glass.

  The game starts with Thor stepping back as Matt tries to charge him before he can throw to Hawes. But he completes the pass and laughs at Matt’s attempts to stop him before running down the field to catch a pass from Hawes. Lindon and the others run toward the end zone, but Fifi comes out of nowhere, a purple bolt tackling Thor at the knees and taking him rolling to the ground.

  I blink in shock. When they stop rolling Fifi is perched happily on Thor’s back.

  “Down!” Hawes calls, trying not to laugh.

  “Get off of me!” Thor says.

  “I don’t know,” Fifi says, seemingly enjoying his perch. “Ask me nicely.”

  Thor tries to roll out from under him and Fifi laughs and rolls him over and pins his hands.

  I catch my breath at the beautiful, pale, tall man pinning the muscular, tanned Thor beneath him. Fifi looks over at me, eyes sparkling.

  “Get off,” Thor grates out, shoving at him. Fifi laughs and steps off, before Thor can take a swing at him, and Lindon quickly comes between the two men, catching Thor’s hand.

  “He’s just trying to get a rise out of you,” Lindon says, looking like he’s trying not t
o laugh all the same.

  Fifi wiggles his fingers at Thor and strides off down the field.

  “Nice tackle, Fifi!” I yell, and the tall man turns in shock at the sound of my voice.

  I could swear that’s a blush spreading on his cheekbones, but he flips away from me so that I can’t see him.

  “Whatever,” I hear him murmur, though he looks a little pleased at the praise.

  Thor glares at me and I smile and blow him a kiss. He freezes, and then puts a hand to his cheek as if he’s expecting it already landed. He grits his teeth, trying to decide if he’s upset with me for cheering for Fifi, but then turns his back and goes back to the huddle.

  Fifi jogs past me, shaking his head. “You shouldn’t have done that, you made him mad.”

  I shrug. “Sorry, Fifi, I acknowledge something impressive when I see it.” I try to smother a grin unsuccessfully. “Plus, um…there’s nothing like seeing a man getting all dominant.”

  Fifi stops to throw me a surprised glare, then a knowing grin spreads over his face and he nods, winking at me like we’re sharing a little secret.

  The game starts again, and this time Bradley gets the ball and starts to run with Fifi chasing him toward the end zone. Damn, that’d be hot, two pretty boys mashed together. But, despite me sort of wanting Fifi to catch him, Bradley makes a touchdown and does an absurd little moonwalk dance.

  “See that, Misty?” he calls. “I didn’t only play basketball in high school.”

  A hand reaches out and knocks him down. He glares up at Fifi, his perpetrator, as Fifi struts away. Bradley looks at me, confused, and I just shrug.

  The game starts again, Asher manages to complete a pass to Tim, who passes to Tom, as they run down the field, too fast for anyone to catch them, beautiful pecs bouncing in tandem as they run. The score is tied up.

  Asher bumps chests with the two brothers, and they seem to get along well.

  Jack high fives Asher and gathers the guys together. I can see Matt shaking his head.

  Lindon is the quarterback this time, and he locks eyes with Lock before pulling back his arm to throw. I see Matt’s eyes flick to his, and then I see Matt, in slow motion, moving to intercept the pass.

  I cover my mouth with my hands, standing in excitement, ready to cheer if there’s a turnover.

  Matt jumps into the air, blond hair waving, and somehow manages to catch the ball as Lock’s eyes widen in shock and Lindon’s jaw drops.

  Matt stumbles a couple of steps with the ball and grins. But then seems to realize he doesn’t really know what to do with it. He has a second for the panic and horror of the situation to register on his face before Thor comes slamming into him.

  The two go to the ground in a hard tumble of limbs and I hear gasps of ‘ooooh’ from the men around me. I get to my feet and run out onto the field.

  Thor is standing up with the ball, saying ‘booyah’, and the other’s are either slapping him on the back or looking mildly ashamed of him. I run past him to Matt, worried as hell.

  Chapter 10

  Matt sits up slowly, holding his stomach. Aside from a grass stain on his cheek, he looks okay. Just pissed as all get out. He stands up, pushes past me to Thor, whom he shoves, hard.

  “What the fuck?” Thor asks. “You had the ball.”

  “That was too hard, dude. Were you trying to kill me?”

  The smile fades from Thor’s face and a dark expression takes over as he towers over the smaller man. “Oh, I’m sorry, I knew you were small but I didn’t know you wanted us to baby you.” He folds his arms and takes a step forward and Matt steps back. And winces in pain.

  “Are you okay?” I ask, stepping toward him.

  He hisses and looks at me with pure hatred in his face. He points a finger my direction. “I hate you, do you hear me? Stay the fuck out of my way.” His voice is high pitched. “Argh. I’m so done with this. I’m going back to the house. All of you leave me alone.”

  My heart clenches as he tries to limp off and stumbles. I rush forward to help but a tall back blocks my way. Fifi turns and puts a hand on my shoulder.

  “I got this,” he says, giving me a smile. His pretty features glow. Damn, Fifi can be really…manly sometimes. I watch in awe as he leans down and scoops the small Matt up into his arms, hissing and spitting, and begins carrying him princess style to the house.

  “Well,” Tom says, scratching his head and standing next to Tom, who is folding his arms. “That’s something you don’t see anyway.”

  I swallow. Fifi said he wasn’t here for me, but I’m starting to think he’s an option after all. That leaves Matt as the only one who isn’t one. And he hates me. Although, if he was the killer, he could have let me drown. The whole thing makes no sense. I haven’t done anything to him.

  “We’re down a player,” Asher says. “Want to play, Misty?” He sweeps black hair out of his face and gives me a winning smile. He looks hot, flushed from exertion. In the sun, his dark eyes are more espresso than black, but the long lashes and his sumptuous lips are still striking.

  “No,” Lindon says, stepping in front of us and stopping my thoughts. His huge chest blocks my view of the others.

  Asher pushes him aside, despite being a couple inches shorter. “It’s not your choice, old man,” he says, despite being only a couple years younger than Lindon in all actuality.

  “I’m in charge here,” Lindon says.

  “Not of Misty,” Hawes interjects gently. “Misty, do you want to play? We’ll be careful.”

  “Yeah, careful. That’s what has characterized this entire game,” Lindon mutters. “Not.”

  I roll my eyes at his sarcasm but can’t help but be a little touched by his protectiveness. Even if it’s not warranted.

  I’m not the most athletic around but I have good reflexes and I can run easily. I can also dodge well.

  Then again, maybe that’s just compared to other humans. Maybe compared to other shifters I won’t stand a chance. But I won’t know if I don’t try. And playing football as the only girl on a field filled with boys? That seems like something I shouldn’t pass up.

  “Don’t be overprotective, Lindon,” I say flippantly, high-fiving Asher as I join the shirts team.

  Tim and Tom give me high fives and only check out the cleavage in my tank top for a few seconds before moving away into position.

  Asher tells me he’s going to do a hand-off after faking throwing it to Tom, and will let me run it in. I grin at him, sounds fun. Plus, he says no one will probably have the guts to tackle me.

  I look up over the huddle and see Thor pouting. I wouldn’t put any bets on him. He’s competitive as hell, and he’s already irritated that someone has downed him.

  I don’t think most of us are keeping score any more, but I know he is. Still, there’s something endearing about the tall, super manly man he insists on playing.

  I’m curious if he really does have the soft side Lock sometimes talks about. Lock catches my eyes and smiles, as usual, amber brown eyes twinkling in the sun. I smile back and get ready with my team.

  They call it, and I get next to Asher. He fakes the throw, sending the guys in that direction. Obviously they aren’t expecting Asher to just give it to me. But I run behind him and he does, and I run forward as fast as I can, up the side of the field away from the others.

  Shock registers on their faces as the see me running with the ball, and I whip my head backward slightly to see Hawes, Lock, Lindon, and Thor all in pursuit.

  Lock’s eyes are intent, and I can tell from his and Thor’s eyes, there’s more to this than the game. I’ve inadvertently set off the thrill of the hunt, and as I run down the field as quickly as I can, I can feel a little thrill or chill at the thought of one of them catching me. Will it hurt? I can hear their breath, either Thor or Lock, about to take me down.

  It’s exciting and scary at the same time, and I know I’m not going to be able to get to the end zone for my first touch down.

  I hear a grunt and a
thud and the footsteps behind me stop and someone rolls over the grass. I don’t stop, just keep running for the end zone, where I slam the ball down and then fall to my knees, laughing in relief.

  I’m not sure how I made it, but Tim and Tom stop next to me, hands on knees, laughing and giving me high fives. I stand and turn back toward the field, and the smile goes off my face.

  Thor is grabbing Lindon by the collar, lifting him off a motionless Lock, who is lying face down. There’s yelling, and Hawes tries to get between Lindon and Thor.

  And then Lock pushes himself up to a sitting position. I walk forward so I can hear what they’re saying.

  “He was going to full on tackle her,” Lindon yells, trying to get free of Hawes to reach Thor, who’s being held by Bradley.

  “It’s football, that’s the whole point.”

  “You can’t full on tackle a female!”

  “You pompous—” Thor starts, but stops when Lock waves a hand and stands slowly. He shakes his head.

  “No big deal, I was carried away.” He ruffles his hair and gives us all an apologetic grin. “I don’t know what came over me.”

  Lindon rips out of Hawes’ grip and gets in Lock’s face. “I’m watching you. Fucking watching you now.”

  Lock raises an eyebrow. “Ah, so the face behind the pretty rich kid comes out to play?”

  Lindon snarls and Hawes grabs him again. “Whoa, boy. Calm down. Misty’s fine.”

  “He was going to smash into her.”

  “I like to think I wouldn’t have hurt her, but yeah, I was running too fast,” Lock says.

  I sigh and rub my forehead as I approach. What am I going to do with all of these silly men? I lock eyes with Lindon, who flushes slightly but raises his chin stubbornly, like he knows he’s right and no one will ever convince him otherwise. The silliest of all of them. And the one I’m most fond of.

  “I’m fine. In fact, I’m going to go in and get a drink to celebrate my touchdown, who wants to come?”

  The men seem more interested in arguing, and as they gather together, I decide I’m not going to stay here and watch the testosterone fly. If they want to fight, I can’t stop them. Hawes gives me a nod, as if to say he’ll take care of things, and I know he’s probably strong enough to, if he can hold Lindon back.