Page 12 of Savage Games

“I love a bit of healthy competition, and I can’t think of anything sexier than watching my mate winning a pack to call our own.Doesn’t matter who wins once we’re doing it together.”

And I mean it.Watching her clamber onto the platform earlier gave me more of a thrill than my own performance.

Naomi smiles, big and bright, her eyes shining with emotion.“Thank you.”

She stands suddenly, leaning down to kiss me hard on the lips.It’s unexpected given we’ve just decided not to reveal our relationship, but there’s no way I’m pushing her away.

I hold her tightly as she melts into me, climbing into my lap and curling up against my body.The first touch of her lips against mine is electric.The mate bond flares, strengthening in an instant.It's as if some invisible thread that's been connecting us suddenly pulls tight, binding us closer.I can feel her joy, her desire, but underneath it all, there’s a persistent undercurrent of worry.

My arms tighten around her protectively, as if I could shield her from whatever's causing her pain.

“Nothing to thank me for yet, mate.We still have to get through today before we can get cocky.”

She laughs and snuggles in closer, like she’s settling in to watch a film rather than preparing to go back out and battle other alpha wolves.More relaxed now, she rests a hand on my chest, and I breathe deep, pressing my nose to her hair, so I draw her scent in.

“If you get us through today, I’ll make it to the final.”

There’s no doubt in her voice.No hint of joking or sarcasm.She’s deadly serious.Her confidence is so sexy.

“And what makes you so confident that you’ll be able to do that?”I ask, intrigued, as I examine my mate from head to toe, looking for a clue to her unwavering faith that we’ll get to the end.She doesn’t have my obvious size advantage, and I see no hints toward special powers.

“You’ll see.”

Interesting.My curiosity is piqued.There's more to my mate than meets the eye.

When a booming voice over the loudspeaker tells all contestants to find their next trial, I reluctantly stand, with Naomi still in my arms, and wait while she unfurls herself and finds the ground with her toes.

“I could have fallen asleep there.”She practically purrs, stretching up to place one more chaste kiss on my lips before we gather our empty wrappers and head back toward the crowded field.

“I’m sorry, that probably wasn’t very comfortable for you.”

It’s my turn to laugh.Any time with my mate curled up in my arms, the mate I never thought I’d find as a rogue makes me happy.

“It was perfect.My wolf is calm and content knowing you’ll be close by.That’s definitely worth a crick in the neck.”

Naomi pokes me in the side, laughing when I rub the back of my neck.

“I’m teasing.You’re as light as a feather.And soon, you’ll be able to sleep on me any time you want.”

5

Naomi

My participation in this competition isn’t only about escaping Brad's influence.It's about proving myself worthy of leading an entire pack, of creating the kind of safe haven my sister and I have been searching for.After experiencing life under a bad alpha, I’d like to have the chance to fix that for someone else.

And to do it with Wyatt?The thought sends a ripple of electricity through my body.I could have a future I never imagined possible.

"Come on," Wyatt says, nudging me forward as we approach the scent trial area."Let's get through this next challenge first."

This is an individual one.We're going to have to do this one alone.No challenge buddies allowed, which means Wyatt won’t be there to help me if anything goes wrong.

In a way, I'm glad.

Much as I’d love to stay glued to his side, or to any part of him, I also want to get through to the end, knowing that I deserve my spot.

Wyatt and I join the queue of contestants in our wave, ready to take their turns, being ridiculously careful to stand an appropriate distance from each other and not look so happy.

My mate can’t help being protective, though, and he positions himself between me and the other boisterous males.Whether it’s stopping them from hurting me with their rowdy jostling or to stop them from touching me at all, I’m not sure.

---