Page 21 of Savage Games

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry.How do I explain without telling him everything?

"I just really didn't want to get eliminated," I say."I need to stay in this."

Something flashes in his eyes, understanding perhaps, but mixed with suspicion.He steps closer, lowering his voice."Naomi, what's going on?"

The concern in his eyes makes my resolve weaken.Maybe I should tell him.Maybe together, we could figure out a way through this impossible situation.

Wyatt is strong, stronger than most wolves here, and he's clearly smart.If anyone could help me protect Maddie while escaping Brad's manipulations, it would be him.

I grab his arm, the solid muscle beneath my fingers grounding me."Wyatt, there's something I need to tell?—"

"Well, well.The rogue survived the tracking challenge.Shocking, considering you spend most of your time on the hunt."

Ryan Williams appears beside us, his lip curled in disdain.Behind him, two other competitors hover, both looking sullen.They must be the ones who didn't make the cut.

Ryan's the second son of alpha Williams from the northern territories, born with a silver spoon and a chip on his shoulder.Everything about him screams entitled, from his perfectly styled hair to his designer boots that have somehow avoided getting muddy.

"And look who else made it through," Ryan continues, his gaze sliding to me with a mixture of appreciation and contempt that makes my skin crawl."Nice job, sweetheart.Must be nice having some special...assistance."

Wyatt tenses beside me, his jaw clenching.I can feel his wolf rising, pressing against the surface of his skin.

"Back off, Williams."I warn, stepping slightly between them.“Callum told you to move on already.”

Ryan smirks, folding his arms across his chest."Just making friendly conversation.Or is that not allowed?The rogue has a monopoly on talking to the ladies now?"

"The ladies can choose who they want to talk to."I snap."And right now, it's not you."

Something ugly flashes across Ryan's face."You know, a lot of us are concerned about having a feral wolf wandering around the compound."He turns to address the growing crowd."Trouble just follows some people."

I gape at him, unable to believe what I'm hearing.

"That's ridiculous."I protest."Wyatt’s going to win.He doesn’t need to cause trouble."

Ryan raises an eyebrow at my bold declaration.

"And you feel safe with him here?Because most of the women I know are nervous.Rogues can’t control themselves.What if he gets the urge to take what he wants?”

His words are calculated to provoke, to push Wyatt into proving exactly what Ryan's claiming, that rogues are dangerous and unpredictable.

Wyatt remains eerily still, but I can feel the rage building in him.His control is impressive, but it won't hold if Ryan keeps pushing.

Oblivious, Ryan continues, playing to his audience, wolves slowly gathering as the young man holds court."Who knows what he's capable of?Or what he's already done?"

Murmurs and whispers ripple through the surrounding crowd.

"That's enough," a female voice cuts through the tension like a knife.The she-wolf from earlier steps forward, her expression stern as she surveys the scene."Ryan, unless you have actual evidence to support these accusations, I suggest you keep them to yourself."

She scolds him like he’s a bold school child, and Ryan's face reddens."I'm just saying what everyone's thinking, Lynn."

His hard stare shows off his hatred of Wyatt.I’m floored by the unprovoked character assassination, but then I see Brad watching from the side, looking pleased with himself, and I know these are probably rumours he’s started.

"No, you're saying what you're thinking."Lynn corrects sharply."And what you're thinking is dangerously close to slander.If you have a genuine complaint, take it to Dean.Otherwise, move along."

Lynn's gaze sweeps over the onlookers, her stance firm and authoritative, despite her smaller stature.As pack manager, she has Dean's full authority, and everyone knows it.

When she returns her attention to Ryan, eyebrow raised, for a moment, I think Ryan might argue further, but Lynn's unwavering stare seems to drain some of his bravado.As does Callum’s presence, looming near the edge of the crowd.

With a final scowl at Wyatt, he turns and stalks away, his cronies trailing after him.

---