Page 48 of Savage Games

He moves forward, and the others follow, heads down, moving like a pack, but not a tight one.Not a smart one.

They expected me to run.They haven’t prepared for a fight, and they certainly never considered that I was leading them into the dark for a reason.

Because out here?Away from rules and witnesses, and the back-up of everyone else who doesn’t want me to win the Games?

This is my home.And I’m not the kind of wolf who runs from anyone.

17

Naomi

The party drags on, loud and bright, and suffocating in a way I can’t quite explain.How can I sit here and pretend like my world hasn’t been flipped on its head by the one man who isn’t in this room?

Wyatt.No tales I’ve heard have done justice to the strength of the fated mate bond, and the thrill of finally getting closer.

Yet, here I am, alone, because things can never just be that simple.

Everyone around me seems to be laughing and having fun, while I’m left feeling exhilarated in one way and bereft in another.

The velvet pouch sits on the table in front of me, and I stare at it like it might explode.It feels dangerous.Not because of what’s inside, but because of what it represents, a public claim I never agreed to, a performance put on for the room to see.

No amount of shifting in my seat shakes off the uncomfortable, nails-on-chalkboard feeling that’s slithering down my spine every time Brad glances my way.

He was marking his territory in front of everyone, making sure every wolf in the room put us together.It was calculating and deliberate.He wasn’t just pressuring me, he was changing how others see me.As his.

As if Brad can just… give me something, decide for me, and that's it.

But nothing he can give me compares to what Wyatt and I just shared, even if it had to be cut shorter than I’d have liked.

He’s taking for granted that I’m too afraid of him to object, and what’s annoying me most is that he’s right.Not afraid for myself, but for Maddie.

I reach for my glass instead of running for the doors like I want to.Dean and Jamie are gone, hurrying past me as I make my way back inside.

Maybe nobody would care if I left too, but Blake Steel, head alpha of the region, is still here, and he’s watching everything.Maybe if I can work up the courage, I should talk to him about what’s going on.

My fingers tremble as I lift the drink to my lips, but I force my face into a neutral expression, looking around casually, when I notice Lynn watching me once more.Her eyes glaze over as she speaks to someone via mind-link.

She frowns and looks away, but her eyes flick to me now and then, sharp and assessing.When a young server approaches to ask her a question, she doesn’t shoo them away, but responds politely with a kind smile on her face despite the fact that the wolf should have seen she was talking to someone.

Lynn manages the entire packhouse with quiet efficiency.Nothing escapes her notice, not the young wolves trying to sneak extra strong alcohol, not the visiting alphas attempting to intimidate the staff, and certainly not my obvious discomfort.

Her gaze, when it catches mine, carries a weight of understanding that makes me wonder how much she's already figured out.

Eventually, Lynn sighs and scans the hall, looking almost like she's counting the wolves present, or searching for someone.

I glance around, wondering what's going on, and when I look back, she's staring right at me, hands on hips, expression full of concern.

She's always watching, like a mother watching her pups play fighting, always taking in the quiet dynamics playing out beneath the surface.And right now, her attention is all on me.

I force a small smile back and look away, but my stomach churns.Something's wrong.When I sense another gaze too, this one heavier and harder to ignore, my palms sweat.

Is there a sign over my head telling people I'm keeping deadly secrets?

When I finally have the nerve to see who else is watching me now, Blake Steel frowns slightly, letting me see his eyes flicking from me to the bag I keep pushing around the table, like it's something rotten.I make myself stop, folding my hands neatly in my lap, but it's too late.He's noticed, one perfectly arched eyebrow telling me I've piqued his curiosity.And he's not the only one.

I stand, but Amy catches me immediately."Okay, spill.Enough with the shy virgin act."She grins at me like a cat with a cornered mouse."What's the deal with you and the rogue?"

My pulse spikes, my throat dry as I try to play it off."There's no deal."

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