Page 125 of Savage Games

"Mine," he says simply, his thumb circling lazily.

"Yours," I agree, voice weak from exertion but filled with certainty.

Eventually, he steps away, turning to wet a cloth at the kitchen sink.I watch him, admiring the play of muscles across his back, and the confident way he moves.He returns to clean me with gentle, reverent touches.When he's done, he scoops me into his arms once more, cradling me against his chest like I'm something precious.

"Bed," he announces, carrying me toward the stairs.

I rest my head on his shoulder, too content to argue or insist I can walk.We've spent so much time competing, running, and surviving.For once, I'm happy to just be carried, to be taken care of by the mate who has already given me more than I ever thought possible.

As he lays me on the bed and stretches out beside me, I curl into him, seeking his warmth.

Whatever tomorrow brings, a new pack, new responsibilities, new challenges, tonight, we have this.Each other.The bond that nothing and no one can break.

And for now, that's more than enough.

47

Naomi

The drive takes most of the day.

Mountains give way to rolling hills, then to dense forest that stretches for miles in every direction.As Wyatt's truck rumbles down the long gravel road leading to the pack compound, my stomach knots with a mix of anticipation and dread.

"You okay?"Wyatt asks, his hand finding mine across the console.

I nod, though we both know it's not entirely true."Just weird.Coming back."

"We can still turn around."He reminds me."Say the word."

I squeeze his hand."No.I need to see this through."

The Northern Ridge territory unfolds before us, its beauty undeniable despite my complicated feelings toward it.Ancient pines tower overhead, their branches creating a natural canopy that dapples the road with shifting patterns of light and shadow.In the distance, the mountains rise like sentinels, their peaks still capped with snow, even in the warmth of late spring.

"It's beautiful," Wyatt murmurs, his eyes taking in the landscape with genuine appreciation."More rugged than Dean's territory."

"The hunting is better too," I add, remembering the abundant deer and elk that roam these forests."The pack never lacks for food, even in the harshest winters."

The trees thin, revealing a cluster of cabins and larger buildings arranged in a loose circle around a central green space.It's familiar and foreign, all at once.The same layout I remember, but somehow, everything seems smaller than in my memories.Less imposing.

"Home sweet home," I murmur as Wyatt parks in front of what must be the main house.

For a moment, we just sit here, the engine ticking as it cools.Then Wyatt leans over and kisses me, soft and brief.

"Ready?"

I take a deep breath."As I'll ever be."

We climb out of the truck, and the effect is immediate.Doors open.Faces appear in windows.Within moments, shifters emerge from various buildings, gathering at a cautious distance.

Their expressions range from curious, to wary, to outright shock, as they take in Wyatt's imposing size and the fact that I'm standing beside him.

"That's him?"I hear someone whisper."The one who defeated Brad?"

“Oh my god, he’s huge.Brad didn’t stand a chance.”

"And that's Naomi," another voice adds."I heard she could have won… a real badass"

"Shut up," a third hisses."They can hear you."

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