Ellison’s body decided to shift. He didn’t want to—he felt stronger as wolf—but Maria with her arms around him made him change form back to human male. He ended up with Maria’s arms still around him, pulling him close.

“Hey, love,” he said, his voice barely working. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

“I’m taking you home,” Maria said. “I don’t want to see you hurting anymore.”

Around them, the crowd stopped screaming and booing and moved closer to listen. Shifters could never mind their own business.

“Let me finish this first,” Ellison said, the words rasping. “A mate always answers a Challenge.”

“Doesn’t matter. Even if Broderick wins, I’ll refuse him, and come back to you anyway.”

Some of Ellison’s tension left him, and his breath became less labored. His ribs started to feel better too. The healing touch of the mate. He hadn’t quite believed in such a power before—especially when the mate was human—but he did now.

Ellison leaned to her, his forehead against hers. “Look around you. All these males here would want you as mate. They call you fair game, but you’re the one who does the choosing. Anyone you want, for the taking.”

“I already chose.”

Her words poured strength into Ellison’s body. Enough strength for him to rise up and kick Broderick’s sorry behind? Well, maybe not.

Maria was speaking again, her words flowing, but his heart only heard the peace of her voice. “You told me I should stop surviving and start living. You should too, Ellison. Stop just getting by, and show me how to live. Live life with me.”

Ellison felt the smile spread over his face. “Oh, sweetheart. You’ve done it now.”

“Done what?”

“Made me know the mate bond is real. I love you, Maria.”

Maria took a sharp breath, then her answering smile blossomed. “I love you, Ellison Rowe.”

Ellison kissed her. This kiss went on . . . and on.

Shifters around them cheered. Or howled, roared, whistled, or made ribald remarks. Damned nosy neighbors.

“Aw, shit.” Broderick spit on the ground. “Damn it, I can’t compete with this. You’re a lucky dickhead, Ellison.” He heaved a long and aggrieved sigh. “I withdraw the Challenge.”

His family groaned. Deni whooped, and Connor followed suit. Other Shifters said, “Awww,” and clapped and cheered.

“You’re still an ass**le,” Broderick growled. But he came forward, holding out his hand.

Ellison turned and put his into it, making sure his grip was as strong as Broderick’s. He kept his other arm around Maria so he wouldn’t fall down.

“Come on,” Broderick said. “Get yourself dressed, and I’ll buy you a beer at Liam’s place.”

“Rain check,” Ellison said, warming as he drew Maria to him again. “I’m going home.”

***

Ellison carried Maria into his bedroom at the very back of the house, slamming the door with his cowboy-booted foot.

Maria had never seen his bedroom. In the light from the lamp beside his bed, she saw a large map of Texas on one wall, a red pin in the center marking Austin. The flag of Texas, with its one white and one red stripe, blue field on the left bearing the lone star, hung downward on another wall. Photos of Ellison’s sister, nephews, and friends were pinned up over the desk. Ellison was laughing in any snapshot he was in, saluting with a longneck beer, or tipping his cowboy hat in an exaggerated way.

She took all this in before Ellison collapsed with her onto the bed. It was a single bed, narrow, and Maria squashed against him.

“Love.” Ellison rolled onto his back, rubbed his hands through his hair, and blew out his breath. “Goddess, what a day.”

“It ended well.” Maria rose on her elbow and tapped the tip of his nose. “You should sleep. You need to heal.”

“Not yet.” His voice lost its teasing note, his playfulness dissolving. “Not yet.” Ellison skimmed his hand along her side to her breast. “Do you know what went through my mind when you ran into that ring tonight, all fired up?”

“Annoyance?”

Ellison dissolved into laughter. “Man, those refs are never going to let me hear the end of it. The fight club is all about the rules.” He touched her face. “No, I thought you were mighty sexy running in there, telling everyone what to do with themselves. Crazy, but sexy.”

“They were going to let you fight when you were already hurt,” Maria said indignantly.

“You think I couldn’t take Broderick in my rundown state? You wound me.”

“Don’t be stupid. It should be a fair fight. You have to win with skill and strength, not arrogance.” She made a face. “And no way was I going to be Broderick’s mate.”

“I wasn’t about to let you be.” Ellison ran the ball of this thumb across her lips. “Then he had to go and do the noble thing, and make all of Shiftertown soft on him. But even an ass**le could see that we were meant to be together.”

“Broderick was good to step back.”

“Nah, he’d be embarrassed if I kicked his ass when I was already hurt.” Ellison grinned. “No, you’re right. I was halfway down already and Broderick came through. Makes me almost like the guy.” He winced and touched his ribs where Broderick had gotten in a blow. “Almost.”