Alpha Champion (Wolf Fighters Book 1) Read Free Page A

with folded arms.
    “I’m Asher Vale,” he said.
    She blinked. Was that possible? She didn’t remember Lucas’s brother looking this much like him. No, the more she looked at him, the more she was sure. This was Lucas. But for some reason, he was parading as his half-brother to come here to see her. She wouldn’t allow her heart to think of possible reasons why.
    “Interesting, the martial arts family,” Bruce said, his mouth curling in an unpleasant smile as he made a slow circle around Lucas. Lily wanted to shove him, wanted him out of the way so she could ask Lucas what the hell he was doing there.
    “Right,” Lucas said. “I was about to ask Lily if she wanted to dance.”
    She blinked and looked up at him. Of course. A waltz was starting in the ballroom, and it was the perfect way to escape Bruce. She nodded and reached a hand out, still feeling in a daze at seeing him again.
    And from the moment his hand touched hers, she was at home. Her whole body warmed as he whisked her away from Bruce and onto the dance floor. His strength supported her, which was good because she still felt like she could faint at any moment just from seeing him again.
    The past and the future seemed to blend together in an overwhelming symphony as he held her casually in his arms. His handsome face was impassive, keeping her from knowing his feelings. But it was enough to just see him. To have a few more moments with him before all hell broke loose.
    When the waltz finished, she looked up at him, unsure what to say, but he quickly guided her off the dance floor and onto an empty side balcony that led out into the gardens. She looked back at the ball and bit her lip. She didn’t know what sort of trouble she was going to get into for leaving the party and heading into the dark with someone who wasn’t even eligible for the tournament, but she couldn’t help it.
    She was with Lucas again. It was like something out of a dream.
    He pulled her into the garden until they were shaded by shadows and then shoved her gently onto a bench so he could pace in front of her.
    Damn, he was handsome. So tall, with that long hair and that straight nose and full lips, that perfectly square jaw. Those muscles he’d always had were trying to burst out of his expensive tailored suit. Her Lucas had cleaned up well since she’d seen him. Not that it mattered. He’d always been the handsomest wolf in the world to her.
    “Don’t look at me like that,” he said.
    “Like what?” she snapped, looking up to meet his angry green eyes.
    “Like you want me, when we both know it isn’t true.”
    She gulped. She deserved that. She’d run away with her family and left him. She’d had no choice, but he didn’t know that. And she’d never gotten a chance to explain. It didn’t look like she’d get one now. “You’re angry.”
    His eyes flashed. “Of course I’m angry. Damn it, Lily, when you didn’t show up…” He ran a hand through his hair, making her ache to do it herself. How she’d loved his hair. “I searched for years. You have no idea. And I show up now to see how you are, and you’re standing there looking so beautiful it’s like nothing even happened. Like you just moved on without worry. Like you’re fine.” He eyed her and let out a low growl. “And letting another alpha male touch you, nonetheless.”
    “Lucas,” she said in a warning tone. “I wasn’t—”
    He raised a hand. “No need to explain, though. After all, that’s what you’re here for, right? To let one of them claim you? The strongest?”
    She nodded. She didn’t know what else to say. She was here for that reason, but mainly because she had no choice. But Lucas didn’t look like he was in the mood to hear excuses. And what would be the point? They couldn’t be together anyway. Not without putting her sister in danger.
    His face tightened. “I misunderstood you. I thought you cared. I thought you were my mate,” he said hoarsely.
    The words pierced her