Page 20 of Savage Games

It takes every ounce of willpower I possess not to recoil from his repulsive touch and shove him away.

He’s not my mate.His touch disgusts my wolf.

As he walks away, Callum stares at the side of my face, but I don’t turn, needing to wait until my wolf is gone from my eyes.

"Are you alright?"he asks, picking up on my unease.

I’m shaking, and my breathing is ragged.There’s no denying I’m freaking out.I bounce up and down on my toes, nodding, trying to get myself back in the game."Just nervous."

Unconvinced, Callum glances over my shoulder at Brad's retreating back."I don't blame you."

He opens his mouth, about to say something else, but then thinks better of it, instead, pointing out onto the trail.“Good luck.”

Channelling my anger at feeling boxed in, I focus on the task at hand, willing my body to relax and get ready to run.Speed is the one skill I have in human form.I stare at the trail, trying to push what happened out of my mind, so I can get through this round and figure out what the hell I’m going to do.

Through the mate bond, I reach out to see if I can sense Wyatt.The connection is faint but there, a golden thread connecting us across the distance.I focus on it, and my wolf steadies, drawing comfort from the knowledge that we're not alone anymore.

And yet, we’re not together, and can’t be for now, because I won’t put Wyatt in Brad’s crosshairs.

As Callum’s deep voice fills the air, I push my concerns away and concentrate on the job at hand.I let my animal take the lead and tell me which direction to go first, trusting her to get us through this.

"Three, two, one.Go."

7

Naomi

Emerging from the trail, my lungs burning and my legs feel like jelly, but a sense of accomplishment rushes through me.I did it.I actually made it through the scent tracking challenge without getting lost or running out of time.In fact, from the approving nod Callum gives me as I cross the finish line, the prize at the end of the scent trail gripped in my hand, I might have done better than just scraped through.

"Good time."He confirms, jotting something on his clipboard."Most competitors took at least fifteen minutes longer.You might have even beaten your friend, but you didn’t hear that from me."

Though I've been careful to hide my strengths, my speed has always been exceptional, even by shifter standards.

A warm flush of pride spreads through me, a brief respite from the dread that's been weighing me down since my conversation with Brad.Maybe there's a chance I can win this thing on my own merit, without having to rely on Wyatt or make impossible bargains with Brad.

I scan the crowd of competitors and spectators gathered at the finish area, looking for that towering frame and those dark eyes.Where is he?He finished his run ages ago.I need him.Need his comforting presence.

As pathetic as that is when we’ve only just met.

Then I feel it, a tug on the bond, followed by that now-familiar warm sensation spreading through my chest.He's close.

"Naomi!"

I turn to see Wyatt pushing through the crowd, concern etched across his features.His eyes scan me from head to toe, as if checking for injuries, before settling on my face.

"You did great," he says, but the worry doesn't leave his expression."I felt...something was wrong.Did you get hurt?"

My heart stutters.This is still so new.I didn't realize he could already sense my distress so acutely.

Guilt twists in my stomach as I force a smile.My wolf whines softly, wanting to press against him, to take comfort in his touch.But we're surrounded by others, and Brad's warning hangs over me like a shadow.

"Just nerves."I lie, hating myself for it."It was more challenging than I expected."

Wyatt studies me, unconvinced.His hand reaches for mine, his thumb brushing over the pulse in my wrist that’s hammering now, seemingly without conscious thought.Then he catches himself and lets it fall back to his side.

"You sure that's all?Because I felt…" He stops, struggling to find the words."I felt fear.Not competition nerves.Something...sharper."

Losing his touch is enough to make my wolf whine.She just wants to be with him, with no deceit.

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