Page 24 of Savage Games

"It's going to be hard not to keep touching you," I tell her, running my thumbs along her hip bones.

She shivers at my touch and runs her hands down over my chest, her wolf rumbling in satisfaction.It’s almost impossible to ignore the urge to flex and show off.

Reluctantly, she climbs off my lap, adjusting her clothes.I stand too, needing a moment to regain my composure before we rejoin the others.

“Okay, let’s go.”

I can’t resist one more gentle kiss before we leave, and her breathless sigh fills me up, lightening my soul in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.

Just being with her is a gift.

As we approach the cabins where competitors are staying, we hear raised voices.I instinctively step slightly in front of Naomi, my protective instincts kicking in.

"This is bullshit!"The angry voice belongs to Ryan Williams, and he's confronting Eli and Dash outside our shared cabin."You let a fucking rogue shack up with us?What, are you his pets now?"

Eli, normally easygoing, stands his ground."Back off, Ryan.This isn't your business."

"It is when he's making a mockery of these games."Ryan snarls, shoving Eli hard enough that he stumbles back."And anyone who helps him is just as bad.Well, I’m not fucking staying here.I’ll find somewhere else to sleep, somewhere not riddled with fleas from that mangy creature."

I feel Naomi tense beside me, but before she can step forward, I'm already moving.

"Problem here?"My voice is deceptively calm as I approach.

Ryan whirls, his expression shifting from surprise to contempt."Well, if it isn't the stray dog himself."

"Wyatt," Dash starts, looking relieved to see me."We were just…"

"I know exactly what's happening," I cut in, my focus on Ryan."And I think you were just leaving."

Ryan snorts, sizing me up.I have at least four inches and forty pounds on him, but his alpha blood makes him cocky."Or what?You'll go feral on me?Loser."

Eli and Dash move to flank me.Their loyalty is touching, even as I wish they'd stay out of it.

"Funny," I say, "I don't recall seeing your name on the winner's board yet.Until then, maybe worry about your own place here."

Ryan's face flushes with anger."You think you're so tough, don't you?But we all know what you really are.Nothing but a…"

"Careful," Naomi interrupts, stepping up beside me.Her voice is cold, dangerous."Or did you forget what Dean said about there always being someone watching?"

Ryan blinks, momentarily thrown by her intervention.His gaze flicks between us, and I can see the moment he registers our closeness, the protective stance I've taken.A nasty smile spreads across his face, cruel and knowing.

"Brad's been very...vocal about his plans for you.Seems like he's got big expectations."His gaze slides between us."Wonder what he'd think about this little… arrangement?"

Before I can react, Naomi steps forward, her eyes flashing gold."What I do, or don’t do, is none of your business.Now get out of here before I show you just how unladylike I can be."

Ryan falters at the raw power in her voice, but recovers quickly."Whatever you say.Just seems like someone should warn the rogue about what he's getting himself into."He looks directly at me."She comes with more baggage than you realize, stray.And is far more evil than she looks."

I move closer to stand shoulder to shoulder with Naomi."If I catch you bothering anyone again, we're going to have a much different conversation."

Ryan shoots us one last glare before stalking off, his shoulders rigid with anger.

Once he's out of earshot, Eli lets out a low whistle."Damn, Naomi.I think you scared him more than Wyatt did."

Naomi manages a small smile, but I can tell something's shifted.Her body language has changed, her shoulders tightening, and her gaze distant, just like earlier when she closed down after the scent trial.

Two steps forward, one step back.

Ryan's words hit a nerve, and whatever simple comfort had been building between us all day was rapidly disappearing.

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