Free Racing The Alpha (Dirt Track Dogs #1) by P. Jameson

him hard to claim her. He’d been in a constant state of arousal for four days now. And no matter how many times he pleasured her, or she him, it didn’t satisfy that primal urge.
    Three, Ella was distracted by all that had happened to her. Newly shifted and in heat. It was a lot to handle.
    Pride filled him, thinking about how well she’d adjusted so far. His mate was a total badass when she needed to be. There was still so much healing to be done, but they’d get there.
    “Blister—”
    “This conversation is over.”
    “No, it’s fucking not.” He knew this was a touchy subject for the wolf. They all had their demons, and Blister’s lay in that blazing piece of history that wiped out his family.
    All but one.
    But Drake was still his alpha, and he wouldn’t let him be an asshole.
    “Her mother’s name was Bridgette.” Drake stood in front of Blister, making him stop short. “She lived in the mountains near Milton. She died in the fire of ’94. And her daughter is a fucking shifter. How can you deny it?”
    Blister’s scarred face screwed into a deep frown. “Because,” he spat. “I can’t have family. Family leaves. Family gets taken away. Even this, the club, it’s breaking. Beast wants out. You would’ve walked away in a blink for your mate. Family doesn’t last.”
    “What do you mean Beast wants out?”
    Blister shook his head. “Forget it. My point is, I don’t want anything to do with family.”
    They stood there, glaring at each other until Beast and Surge walked up.
    “When is this going to be over, Alpha?” Surge asked, looking nauseated. Constantly fighting their animal’s instinct to satisfy Ella’s heat was taking its toll on the pack.
    “Soon. It’s her first time, so it shouldn’t last long. Stay strong.”
    “Why don’t you just claim her,” Beast ground out.
    Drake watched Blister stalk away before he answered. “I can’t give her young yet. I have to wait until her heat passes. Then I’ll mark her and you won’t have to deal with this again.”
    Surge nodded in agreement. “Carrying young would be hard for her, being so recently shifted. It wouldn’t be fair. Our tiger needs some time.” He brushed a rough hand over his face. “I’m going to check the numbers. See you at start.”
    Drake watched Beast as he checked his car. His second in command was definitely on edge. But they all were. It had been a crazy week.
    “You solid?” Drake asked him.
    “I’m fine.”
    “I don’t believe you.”
    Beast looked at him. “My wolf is fucking jealous. Wants his mate.”
    Drake stiffened. “But Ella’s not yours.”
    Beast shook his head. “No. But it’s still eating at me.” He zipped his jacket and grabbed his helmet. “It doesn’t matter though. I love my pack. I love you. You deserve to be happy. My wolf can go fuck itself.” He pulled the helmet over his head before Drake could respond.
    Drake watched as his buddy strapped in and revved the engine. He offered a fist bump through the window and Beast pounded it before pulling out to get in line. His turn was up, so Drake went to stand with the guys at the fence.
    “Think he’ll qualify?” Diz asked, rubbing the back of his neck like it was on fire.
    “Beast? Yeah, he’s a fucking shoe-in.”
    “And Ella?” Her name was barely a breath on his lips.
    Drake dug his gum out of his pocket and popped a piece. “Of course. But just to be sure you’ll be around to see it, why don’t you stick to calling her Tiger. Or at least until her heat passes.”
    “Shit. Sorry,” Diz muttered.
    “Me too, man. Me too.” The guys were handling the situation better than he’d expected. It just made him respect them even more.
    Drake peered across the oval at his mate. She stood with her crew, which consisted of Metal Head and another woman he recognized from Red Cap. DTD should be taking care of her car, but with the heat upon her, it would have to wait.
    Ella caught him looking. She slipped him a smile that