Page 26 of Savage Games

Safe in the knowledge that he’ll keep an eye out while I rest, I drift toward sleep, wondering if this is what it feels like to have a real pack again.People who have your back without being asked.People who care enough to stand up for you, to watch over you.

People like Naomi, whose kiss still burns on my lips and whose presence I can feel through the mate bond even now, leaves a comforting warmth in my chest despite the distance she's trying to create between us.

I fall asleep without fear, knowing I'm not alone.But my heart remains troubled by the secrets my mate seems determined to carry alone.

Even when my wolf eventually stirs in the early hours, restless and eager to run, Jax's scent still lingers nearby.A silent sentinel in the darkness.A reminder that things are changing.

Whether the change is for better or worse remains to be seen.

9

Wyatt

Yesterday's last challenge keeps playing through my mind as I run the perimeter of the training grounds.Watching Naomi complete that course alone felt wrong, like missing a limb.It’s going to get harder and harder to be apart.

After having her in my arms, her sudden distance after that last task left me oddly bereft.Physical separation from her causes a dull ache in my chest.Like a stretched rubber band, the further apart we are, the more tension builds.My wolf paces restlessly inside me, confused and agitated by this push and pull.

My wolf can’t understand what went wrong.I spent the night wandering the forest in my wolf, running with Jax, who’s only been coming out at night, before finally settling as close to her cabin as I could without facing more accusations of being a predator.

Naomi crushed it, though.My chest swelled with pride watching her navigate the course with perfect precision, even if my wolf had bristled at not being allowed to help.She's stronger than she looks, my mate.Even though she was too polite to brag, she beat my time, and the idea of being mated to such an impressive woman brings a smile to my face.

But we’re not mated yet.Something shifted during the confrontation with Ryan and while I was completing the scent trial.The warm glances and open smiles stopped both times.

I was hoping she’d come and find me last night, maybe run with me, maybe let me reward her for being such a badass, but I never saw her again.

The sound of fists hitting leather draws me from my brooding, and I slow down to identify who else is punishing themselves at this time of the morning.

My wolf immediately recognizes the scent.Naomi.She's alone in the training area, working a punching bag with controlled fury, each hit precise, but powered by obvious frustration.

Part of me hopes she missed me too, and maybe that's why she's out here so early working out her frustrations.Part of me worries that’s not true.

I hang back in the shadows of the equipment shed, taking a moment to admire how she moves.Her form is perfect, clearly trained by someone who knew what they were doing.But there's an edge to her movements that wasn't there yesterday morning.The effortless grace has been replaced by something harder, almost desperate.

Something's changed.She’s upset.

Watching her, I'm struck again by how incredible she is.Most female wolves rely on speed and agility, but Naomi hits with genuine power.Each punch lands with the kind of force that could break bones.

"Your guard is dropping," I say quietly, stepping into view.“Is your leg still bothering you?”

Naomi spins, startled, and my wolf preens at catching her off guard.Her cheeks flush pink, and her heart rate spikes, but not from fear.The mate bond pulses between us, and I have to clench my fists to keep from reaching for her.A sheen of perspiration makes the tanned skin on her chest and shoulders glisten.

"I didn't think anyone else would be up yet," she says, wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.“And no, my leg is fine.Your magic hands did the trick.Why are you not still in bed?”

It should be a compliment, and yet it doesn’t sound like one.

"Couldn't sleep."I move closer, noting how she tenses but doesn't back away."Want a sparring partner?"

She seems troubled, so I don’t bother telling her I’ve been sleeping in the woods.Her wolf pushes forward, eager, even as uncertainty flashes across her face."I don't know if that's a good idea.My self-control isn’t what it should be around you."

It’s a fantastic idea.I want to touch her.I want to feel her sweat on my skin, and our bodies close together.If this is the only way to get that, I’ll take it.

"Scared I'll hurt you?"I tease, trying to lighten whatever mood has descended over her.

That gets a reaction.Her eyes flash gold, and she drops into a fighting stance."You wish."

We circle each other on the training mats, and I can't help but grin at her competitive spirit.When she strikes first, I block easily, using my height advantage to keep her at bay.But she's quick, ducking under my guard and landing a solid hit to my ribs.

"Nice."I grunt, genuinely impressed.She’s lightning fast.No wonder she was faster yesterday.

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