Page 13 of Savage Games

Despite our attempts to maintain distance, the bond remains like a warm current flowing from him to me, carrying whispers of his strength, his confidence.My wolf basks in it, drawing comfort from his proximity, even without physical contact.

We stand there, side by side, watching the people ahead of us go, while Wyatt uses his height to take in every detail of the trail in front of us.He stands tall, staring off into the distance while somehow managing to simultaneously shield me from the other competitors and studiously not look at me.

Finally, when he’s done with his assessment, he speaks quietly so that it's impossible for anybody but me to hear what he's saying.

"It's a scent tracking trial," he says."They’re re-laying a fresh blood trail between each wave, which will lead us through the forest.”I can see the excitement in his eyes as he breathes in all the competing smells.“It won’t be easy.There have been so many wolves through here, and the older scent markings still linger.It would be easy to end up following a previous trail if you’re not careful.”

I nod, scarcely believing he’s sharing this intel so readily.

“They’re creating gaps and circles in the trail, so that you’ll have to leave the path to figure out where it goes.Don’t panic.They’re just testing to see if you can stay cool.If the trail ends, step back a few feet and go in a circle until you pick it up again.”

His wolf is a born competitor and is itching to test himself.I can see the excitement in his eyes at the prospect of the challenge ahead.

If I was just here for myself, I might be as giddy at the idea of testing my skills.Instead, I feel pressure, and a ball of nerves choking me every time I think about what’s at stake.Maddie told me I didn’t have to do this, not if it was going to piss Brad off, but I had to do something.

My sister's face flashes in my mind, her once vibrant eyes now dull with fear, the shadows beneath them a testament to her many sleepless nights.Maddie was always the gentle one, the peacemaker.When she mated with Rowan, Brad's brother, we thought it was a blessing.It turned out to be a nightmare.And now, even after his passing, she's still trapped.

We both are.

“You can go ahead of me," Wyatt says, trying to give me any advantage that he can.The scent will get fainter with each set of wolves that crash through the forest, and every minute that passes.If I wasn’t sure he was a good guy before, now I know it for certain.

I shake my head, reaching out and resting my fingers lightly on his hip as I look up into those incredible dark eyes.

He glances around, checking to see if anyone is watching, honouring his commitment to keep our bond secret for now, before turning back and holding my gaze.

We’re locked there, the air between us, electric.

"No, Wyatt.I can't let you do that.You can’t keep risking your spot for me."

He frowns, his chivalrous side wanting to give me the best chance of getting through.It’s sweet, but I’d never forgive myself if he lost out because of helping me, so I hit him with my biggest, flirtiest smile.

"Plus, running to you instead of away from you is what my wolf wants to do."

Wyatt grins, and his hands reach out instinctively, as if to pull me close, hesitating at the last moment.My heart races in anticipation of his touch and falls just as quickly when he doesn’t.

He settles instead for resting his fingertips lightly against the waistband of my tight, black leggings.When he curls his fingers, just a little so they brush the sensitive skin on my lower belly, my legs turn to jelly, and heat pools between them.

Turning to jelly is not a good idea right before a race, but nothing on earth could make me tell him to take his hand away.

"I'd say just follow my scent, but it looks like they have multiple tracks laid out.They're giving everybody a different one, so we can't just follow the person in front."

Wyatt’s all business again, but I can’t focus on anything other than where his fingers are scorching my ticklish skin, with tingles dancing along my flesh and moving straight to my dampening core.

“I could do this in wolf form, but as a human…” I’m not sure this is going to go well.My wolf is impressive.When we get to the stages of the competition where I can shift and let her have free rein, I’ll come into my own.But not now.

His lightheartedness fades away, and his expression gets serious for a moment."You can do it.I know you can.You're fast.Damn bloody fast.And your nose is good, you've got this."

There isn’t a hint of doubt in his eyes, his expression unwaveringly certain that I've got what it takes to get through this.It lifts my spirits and gives me the boost I need to get myself ready to run.

"Head down and let her guide you.Don't worry about the time.Just follow the track, and you'll make it through."

Dipping his head so his cheek is beside mine as we stare into the dark forest, gazes follow where he points, and I can't help but beam up at him.How did I get so lucky?This supposedly feral and dangerous rogue is more supportive than anyone I've ever met.

Brad, the alpha I’m trying to escape, springs to mind.He told me coming here was a waste of time.I can’t imagine Wyatt ever being so callous.

"My sister's gonna love you," I blurt out without thinking.

He smirks and leans a bit closer."It's not your sister who I want in love with me."

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