Page 60 of Savage Games

I already know the answer.

If someone threatened Naomi, I wouldn’t let him live.And as my wolf conjures an image of Brad, I realise it might come to that.My blood boils, knowing that he’s using their situation, whatever it is, to his own advantage.But simply being a dick doesn't warrant a death sentence, so I can’t handle this the way my wolf would like to.

Not yet, anyway.

I need to find Dean.

Now.

I approach the tree line, the packhouse coming into view just as the mist thins in the rising heat.The massive building stands against the backdrop of towering pines.

Already, wolves are moving about the grounds, preparing for today's round of the Games.The tension is palpable.After last night's incident with Ryan's pack, everyone's watching each other warily.

I move faster, eager to get speaking to Dean and Blake before they get swept up in the preparations for the next round.Lost in my thoughts, I’m distracted, not paying attention to my surroundings as well as I normally would.

Then, just as I step out onto a narrow trail, a scent surrounds me so suddenly it’s like a slap to the face as someone steps in front of me.

I don’t have time to react.I nearly collide with him before I skid to a stop, my muscles locking as the familiar sour aroma reaches my nose.

Brad.

I barely check my snarl, my body tensing, my hands curling into fists at my sides.

He stands there, perfectly composed, as if he hadn’t just ambushed me in the middle of my march to Dean.His lips curl into something that’s supposed to be a smile, but there’s nothing friendly about it.

He's dressed impeccably, as usual, tailored pants and a button-down shirt that probably cost more than most wolves make in a month.His dark hair is styled perfectly, and there's not a hint of stubble on his jaw.Everything about him screams control, from his polished appearance to his carefully neutral expression.But there's a coldness in his eyes that makes my wolf’s hackles rise.

“Well,” he drawls.“You look like a man on a mission.Where are you off to in a hurry?I thought you’d have gotten the hint by now and slunk back off into the wilderness.”

For a second, I wonder whether he remembers me, but there’s no flicker of recognition in his eyes.But I know him.And his father.

The urge to touch my shoulder, where his father gave me something to remember him by, is strong, but I fight it.I’m not going to fill in the blanks for him.

I exhale hard through my nose, my patience already worn thin.“Move.”

Brad doesn’t budge.He studies me with cool amusement, tilting his head slightly.“I heard about last night.You certainly put on a show.”

I grind my teeth.“You sent those wolves after me.”

At least when his father wanted me off his land, moving me in terrifying style when I was just a lost teen with nowhere to go, he did his own dirty work.

“That’s quite an accusation to make of an alpha.”Flinty eyes stare back at me, hiding the fury I feel bubbling below the surface.He hates me.

“Not if it’s the truth.”

“Only if you could prove it.”Brad presses a hand to his chest in mock innocence.“Why would I do that, anyway?”

My wolf surges forward, heat creeping under my skin, but I swallow it back.

“Because you’d do anything to stop a rogue from winning a precious alpha’s seat.”

Brad’s eyes stay cold.“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong.You won’t win.You will not beat me.”

I laugh.“I didn’t know you were part of the competition, Brad.Are you not too old?”I step forward, getting right in his space, forcing him to tilt his chin up slightly to hold my gaze.“I don’t know what your angle is, but I know you’re a liar.”

"I've been watching you," I continue, unable to stop myself."You touch Naomi like you have some claim on her.Like she's yours.But I see how she flinches when you get close."

A flash of anger crosses his face, quickly masked by that practiced smile.But I caught it, the crack in his composure.He doesn't like being called out.And damn it, it feels good to antagonise him, my small payback for the way his family treated me when I needed help.

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