A Mate's Submission: (Hot Paranormal Shifter Romance) (Ozark Mountain Shifters Book 4) by P. Jameson Page B

stay that way. Otherwise, Cael would have to help again. And that wouldn’t bode well for any of them.
    In the bedroom, she found Lexar dressed and waiting with a tray of food. A few light items. Perfect for pre-fight fuel.
    “I went to find food, but your mama already had this ready.”
    Knowing Mama, she’d probably been nervous-cooking for hours. There would be food for days.
    Avan ate quickly, and then dressed in lightweight pants and a form fitting tank. Lexar watched her every move but it didn’t rile her. It was actually sort of calming. His presence helped her focus.
    The first contender was much weaker than the wolf, Raden. It was never a sure thing, but she felt confident she could beat him. She’d never admit it out loud but these things made her nervous. The idea of fighting to the death made her sick. In the beginning she’d tried to convince challengers to leave before it came to that. But they’d mistaken her mercy for weakness. With the shifters, there was no other way. If a wolf wanted to take your pack, you had to prove you were worthy of keeping it. Killing was the only option.
    “I’m ready,” she murmured.
    Lexar pushed off from the wall, strolling over to her. “You’ve got this.”
    His faith in her abilities meant more than he could ever know, more than it should.
    Avan smirked. “It’ll be cake. Then only three more to go.”
    She pushed past him for the door, but he grabbed her arm, bringing her back around. His arms went around her, backing her into the nearby wall, and she let him. There was no threat, and after what they’d shared…
    “You took something from me earlier, now I’m going to take it back.” He held her gently, but his weight pressed against her. “And there will be no more asking between the two of us. If I want to kiss you, I will. And if you want to tie me up… you will. We good?”
    She stared into his pale eyes, part of her not willing to agree. If they did this, she’d lose the upper hand. Things could unwind faster than she could fix.
    Lexar ran his nose softly along her cheek. “Say yes,” he whispered. “I’ll beg if that’s what you really want.”
    But then again, if he could make her feel like the ground had fallen out from under her feet with a simple touch… who really had the upper hand?
    “Yes,” she breathed.
    His lips connected with hers in the next breath. Soft and exploring, yet demanding at the same time. His hands came up to cradle the sides of her face, anchoring her in place for his mouth. His tongue delved in, laying claim to the space, taking over every inch. He tasted rich and hot. Like steam from the hot springs on a January morning. Sultry. Decadent.
    Dear god.
    He pulled away and she was left gasping for air. No one had ever kissed her like that. Like they needed her oxygen and they intended to kiss it out of her body. Damn it, how did he get to her so fast? How did he get to her at all?
    He straightened, leaving her lounging against the wall. “You’re going to be late, Alpha.”
    She blinked, finding her legs and making them move her toward the door. Yeah, she’d make it through this first contender. For her pack. But also for him. Because he was going to kiss her like that again. And she was going to let him.
    ***
    Three days had passed. Three challengers were dead. Avan took a good beating with each one, but she wouldn’t let Lexar call Cael back. At Lexar’s request, he and Besh had stayed in the nearby town of Mountainburg in case there was an emergency. It was a good hour’s drive through the mountain, but staying at the camp was out of the question since, in many of the wolves’ eyes, Besh was still their First Mate. Some felt she’d betrayed them.
    Truth was, the Ozarka wolves didn’t know who to blame for their undoing. The alpha they’d obeyed at every turn. Themselves, for not having the backbone to stand up to him. The elders, for not governing the pack better. Ravendale, simply because they’d been