Another text chimes, and I glance down to read it.

Talbot: My alpha is severely weakened. If you show up, understand that his monster will break free. You don’t understand how significant today’s events surrounding Dorian are. Now my alpha is riled from a very costly alpha fight. I’m warning you, he will likely be in little control once you arrive. He’ll be the sexual deviant, and not in the charming, semi-perverted way you’ve come to expect. It’ll be subtle at first. He’ll lure you in like prey. And then…

I stop reading the text, since it seems like Talbot is worried about possibly setting Damien up for failure. Damien’s hurting so bad he’s struggling to keep a leash on his monster, because he just did something as severe as put Dorian down indefinitely.

I can tell this is a huge deal, simply because the guys are still sitting in the arena, processing all that’s happened.

“I need to go to Damien, but I need to make a stop first,” I say as I climb out of Arion’s lap, my gaze moving to Emit. “Will you take me?”

He doesn’t hesitate to stand.

Vance almost looks relieved when I run my hand over his, but I’m just happy to see some of the tension finally leave him. His eyes look tired.

I’ll deal with him later.

I’m more worried about Damien than anyone right now.

Chapter 7

DAMIEN

I crash into the wall, my legs trying to give out, as I struggle for a breath that isn’t painful. My monster would love to break free and go chase after someone to feed on.

I can’t do that until I take Violet as a Flame. Then my monster can break free whenever it wants, because it’ll only seek her out.

A somewhat crazed, maniacal laugh escapes me, because my head is foggy and aching, and my emotions are switched on higher than they’ve reached in too long.

It took every ounce of strength I had to attack Dorian that aggressively. Another ten minutes, and I would have collapsed in the arena in front of everyone.

“That fucking bitch better be scared after I pulled that off,” I mutter, feeling drunk and dazed, even though I’m simply starved and hurting.

When I start to fall again, there are suddenly hands grappling me, righting me, and then my arm is slung over a set of shoulders.

I look over to spot a straight-faced Talbot Lane supporting me.

“What are you doing in my house?” I ask on a tired sigh. “I’ll kill you for seeing this. I’m attempting to look impossibly strong right now.”

A part of me does want to kill him. Because that’s how close to the surface my monster is. If he had a vagina, my monster would be craving something else.

It has particular tastes.

“I’m aware, Alpha. No good beta shares their alpha’s secrets,” he says as though that’s somehow going to make me magically trust him.

I stumble, but he keeps a firm grip on me, easily guiding me to the couch.

I’m grateful to collapse on it, and in the next instant, he’s next to me with a cup of water.

“I already told you that you’re not my beta,” I grind out, glaring at the fool, even as I accept the water.

My throat is burning. I feel dehydrated, starved, and every bone aches. The urge to hunt is so damn potent, desperately craving a soft body to feast on.

“I doubt Violet understands the magnitude of that show of power. Even if it’s explained to her, she still won’t understand the gravity of—”

“That was to show Violet I will always put her first,” I interrupt, grimacing as I put the cup down. “Putting him down so fast, and walking out like I wasn’t affected, in spite of my starvation diet, was to make Idun think I’ve grown impossibly stronger. She needs some fear in her, especially if she’s willing to come after Violet that hard.”

He pauses, staring down at me, as he puts his phone away.

Starving is one thing.

Starving after using every ounce of power I have inside me, while tapping into my monster’s darkest strengths to subdue Dorian, is something else entirely.

“Spit it out,” I tell him when I see him reluctant to share whatever it is that’s on his fucking mind.

I don’t have the patience for this, and he doesn’t seem to understand that I’ve already considered ripping his heart out. Twice. Just for fun.

A good beta would recognize how dangerous their alpha is on days like these.

He’s got a thousand years of rogue beta experience, and knows more about me and my House than any other I’ve ever spoken to. It’s infuriating, and…annoying. Annoying, because I’ve forgotten what it was like to have a beta.

I’ve never actually had a good beta.

Fucking Arion gets them in droves, even though he stabs them all with sharp objects.

Vance has some of the finest, most loyal ever, despite the fact he’s a rigid hardass.

Even Emit has numerous betas looking after him, even though he only keeps the worst ones the closest.

“Idun’s eyes were on Violet after the match ended. I think she was jealous, since you showed nothing but restraint when Dorian and she—”

At my glare. He stops talking.

“You snuck into a private alpha challenge?” I bite out. “Yet claim to want to be my beta? Do you know how personal such a thing is?”

“I’m sorry. I trailed Violet when she ran out of Sanctuary. I keep an eye on her for you, Alpha. If I was allowed inside Sanctuary, Dorian wouldn’t have—”

“Dorian would have killed you. You never go against an alpha. You can’t even begin to compete,” I cut in, staring at the fool who claims to be old enough to know better.

He lowers his eyes. “I admit I couldn’t help but watch once I saw how quickly you’d downed him, but no one spotted me. Violet’s shampoo masked my scent, and—”

“Stop talking. You’re telling me new information I can’t deal with right now. The fucking shampoo? I can’t. I just can’t. How she causes so many problems with such innocence…”

I simply let the words trail off, unable to keep thinking about new things.

Shampoo that masks a scent?

From alphas?

Damn that girl for being so ignorantly brilliant.

“She’s a walking oxymoron that shatters the natural order,” I grumble, scrubbing a hand over my face.

I peer over at him, bristling now that I’m fully uncomfortable with how much he’s witnessed. If I’d started out knowing what I know now about January Violet Carmine, I’d likely consider her a threat, rather than the woman I crave more than anything.

I just barely rein my monster in, because the very thought of her is starting to send it into a frenzy.

“You’re not my beta,” I tell him more firmly.

“I sent a text to Violet Carmine the second you left the arena, requesting she replenish your strength. If she comes, then I’m officially your new beta,” he argues, not sounding defiant, but negotiable.

The last thing I need is for Violet to show up. Or maybe I do want her to show up so I can claim her as mine and be done with any threats Dorian has to offer.

Her body writhing underneath mine as I claim her in every possible way…