Page 2 of Savage Games

Scratching my arm absently to brush away the scent left behind from that unwanted touch, I frown as my wolf brushes up against my insides, getting more and more aggravated.He doesn’t like it.He doesn’t want that female’s scent anywhere near us.His protests are so relentless that I pour some water into the palm of my hand and scrub at the skin just to calm him down.

And then, when I get a faint whiff of her on my skin still, I pick up some grass and scrub it even harder.

“Happy now?”I growl, and then immediately wish I’d said that inside my head when a small boy in front of me jumps and clings to his mother’s skirt.“Sorry,” I mumble, dipping my head to look less intimidating before moving on.

I wind my way through the crowd, looking for Eli and Dash, my housemates for the duration of the competition.Dean let them stay after they gave up their chance to help an injured wolf they found out on the course.

They're good people and don't act weird around me, which is refreshing.Considered long shots because they don’t come from alpha blood, we’ve got something in common.Nobody wants to see them win either.It seems maintaining the status quo and keeping packs within the family is foremost in everyone’s minds.

Or everyone’s except mine, because I can’t seem to focus on anything.

"Quite the fan base you've got already.Do people always just walk up and stroke your muscles?"

I stop dead in my tracks, my wolf going still for the first time in years, as everything around me seems to fade away.

That flirtatious voice.That smooth, honey voice that sends fire licking up my spine is heavenly.I feel like I know it.

My heart rate picks up, and my palms sweat as I turn slowly, knowing already that this, this moment, is going to be pivotal in my life.

Lifting a hand to shield my face from the sun, I lock eyes with the most beautiful she-wolf I've ever seen, with blue eyes the colour of a summer sky.Her dark hair cascades down her back in loose waves, catching the sunlight like silk.Full lips curve into a smile that makes my heart stutter in my chest.She's not petite, standing several inches taller than the average female, with curves that would make any wolf's mouth water.

She’s perfect.And the way she’s staring at me, eyes wide and bottom lip pulled between her teeth as she takes in my thick arms, I hope she thinks the same.

But it's not just her appearance that hits me like a punch to the gut.It's her scent, vanilla and wildflowers, and something deliciously spicy underneath that makes my nostrils flare as I breathe her in.

My wolf rolls over, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth like an over-excited puppy.

That’s what he was so worked up about.He knew she was here.

"I'm sorry about my friends.I hope they didn’t make you uncomfortable."She dips her gaze apologetically, her thick, dark lashes fanning against her cheeks, which are flushed slightly pink now.

When she meets my eyes again, electricity crackles between us, like the calm before a storm.The noise of the crowd fades away, and it’s just us.

She’s all I see.

"They didn't do anything too wrong.Some people are just...fascinated by me.I'm used to it."

They stare, do a double take, but most mean no harm.

“You shouldn’t have to be.”Her eyes blaze, a faint glimmer of anger shining in them.“With so many people around, the scents are so jumbled.It was only when she came back with your scent on her hand…”

She trails off, teeth gritted, and I smile to myself.She’s not happy with her friend for touching me either.It’s not just me that feels like this is something else.

More.Everything.

“I washed it off.”I admit.“My wolf didn’t like it.Hated it, actually.”

That seems to put her at ease, and her features soften again as she takes a step closer.Tilting my head, I try to get a read on her.She's not scared of me, which is a good start, but I don’t want to spook her.

"Your wolf is a smart boy," she praises, and it's my turn to react as her words warm my insides.“But she’s right, you are a big boy.”

Her gaze travels across my shoulders and chest, and she nods, a sexy smile toying with her pretty features.

The teasing lilt in her voice does something primal to me, sending fire through my veins.My wolf presses against the surface of my skin, desperate to get closer to her, but I’m more cautious.

Does she really want me?A rogue?Maybe this flirting is some kind of trap, or a dare.

“Naomi, are you coming?”Her friends call out to her, and when she turns her face away, my nerves pick up.

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