Page 41 of Savage Games

All the people in this room want to win.The pressure they’re under, whether it’s from themselves or their families, is intense.The games have been gruelling, dragging on over multiple days and testing everyone's patience.

Like every aspect of our experience so far, I’m sure it’s part of Dean’s plan.Tempers are fraying, and even the seemingly best-behaved wolves’ true colours are showing as everyone’s patience wears thin.

There’s no masking who you really are when you’re being watched all the time for days on end in a high-pressure situation like this.

Ryan Williams snaps at a server, not even attempting to hide what an asshole he is, and Dean growls from the head of the table, reminding everyone that he’s always watching, and that he won’t tolerate his pack being disrespected.

Afraid of attracting any unnecessary attention, I keep my head down and focus on the food I’m not really eating, hoping no one notices the tightness in my posture, or my lack of appetite.I just want to be left alone.

But of course, he doesn’t give a shit what I want.

Without asking if it is taken, Brad slides into the empty seat beside me, his broad shoulder brushing mine as he leans too close and rests his hand on my arm.

My stomach churns at the contact, my wolf wanting to put him in his place for touching a female that’s not his, but I force my expression into something resembling a polite smile.

Whatever happens, I cannot publicly disrespect him.Not here, surrounded by alphas and future leaders who will all side with him if it comes down to it.Especially when they don’t understand why his touch repulses me so much.They don’t know I have a mate, and they don’t know what a vile person Brad is.

“Naomi.”His voice is charming and practiced, but there’s a sharpness underneath, a warning not to act up.“I stopped by your room to congratulate you on getting through and couldn’t help but notice you were… occupied.I heard about the unpleasantness at the showers with the rogue.You have such a kind heart, but you don’t need to fight other people's battles.”

I swallow hard, fingers curling around my fork.“Sticking up for Wyatt wasn’t unpleasant.He’s my friend.It was the right thing to do.”

“Of course, of course.”Brad’s smile becomes brittle, not happy about being corrected.

I keep my voice even, and low enough that only he can hear.“Ryan was trying to stir up trouble, but it was all too public.If they fought Wyatt there, Steel and Reynolds would be sure to hear of it, and Wyatt would be out.Then I’m screwed.”

My skin crawls at the deception.I shouldn’t have to lie about Wyatt.It makes me feel gross to even pretend I’d ever use him like that to advance.

“Ah.”Brad hums thoughtfully, the penny dropping far too slowly for a sitting alpha.“So, you’re agreeing to using him, then?Smart girl.”

Feeling like a piece of shit, I don’t correct him.Just let him think I’m manipulating Wyatt and need him to get ahead.I don’t care what he thinks as long as it keeps him off Wyatt’s back.

From across the room, I can feel Wyatt’s gaze, the weight of it like a hand on my spine.I lean forward to pour a drink that I don’t want so that Brad’s falls away.He twists in his seat to look at me, but I stare forward, ignoring him, hating how he’s blocking me from the rest of the room and invading my personal space.

In and out, in and out.I focus on my breathing to stay calm.

Wyatt’s sitting with Jamie, whose expression is tight as she watches Brad drape himself across my chair and play with the ends of my hair.I scoop it up into a messy bun and lean away from my alpha, desperate to distance myself from him.

Jamie probably hates me.If Wyatt has told her anything about us, even just that we have a crush on each other, she must be looking at me now, thinking I’m an absolute bitch.

As my heart rate picks up and panic takes hold, I force myself not to look at them anymore.If I meet Wyatt’s eyes, I’ll break.

Brad shifts, and his hand suddenly appears in front of my face, a small velvet pouch dangling from his fingers.“For you,” he says, loud enough for nearby tables to hear.“Just a token of my… appreciation.”

The tiny bag swings back and forth, and I hesitate much too long to be considered polite.

I want to refuse.Every instinct inside me screams to shove it back at him, to stand up and walk away.But I can feel the room watching, waiting to see if I’ll accept his public declaration of affection.My options are to accept it or embarrass my alpha in front of his peers, which doesn’t seem like a good idea, either.

If I do anything to embarrass him, he’ll retaliate.And Maddie will probably pay the price.

So I smile, small and tight, and tentatively accept the gift.My fingers brush the velvet, and the weight of the room’s attention settles on my shoulders like a mantle.

“Thank you,” I say meekly, the words like ash in my mouth.“You shouldn’t have.”

My wolf wants to destroy it, but ignorant of how much I despise him, Brad smiles triumphantly.

“Always so gracious.But you know I like to spoil.”

It’s a performance, every second.To anyone watching, it looks like I’m accepting his favor.Like I’m his.And that’s exactly the message he wants to send.

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