Page 61 of Savage Games

His expression flickers, irises glowing, just for a second, before he regains control and sighs dramatically, like he’s actually bored, in an attempt to provoke me into doing something stupid, like attacking him.

“Speaking of liars, I take it you’ve heard Maddie is here.”

The casual way he says it makes my blood run hot.

“You’re so full of shit.I bet every word she says about you is true.”I don’t know what she’s saying, but it’s worth a shot.

Brad leans in slightly, voice lowering.“And you’re dangerously close to sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.You don’t want to make an enemy of me.”

I hold his gaze and let every ounce of my wolf’s power spill into the surrounding air.He doesn’t know it, but I’ve hated him since long before he arrived at the Alpha Games.

“Too fucking late.”

23

Naomi

Ican’t stop pacing.

My skin feels too tight, and my muscles, coiled like a spring, are ready to snap.My wolf is restless, pushing against me, demanding to be near him again.

Wyatt.

I force myself to keep moving, pretending I'm fine for the benefit of anyone watching, but the truth is I'm falling apart inside.One night together wasn't nearly enough.The bond between us is like a physical tether now, pulling tighter with each step I take away from him.My wolf howls her frustration, clawing at my insides to return to our mate.

Leaving him this morning nearly killed me.I had to force myself to keep moving, to not look back, or I would have curled back up beside him and never left.

After everything, the confrontation with Ryan, the shower encounter, the night spent in wolf form together after finally feeling right for the first time since arriving here; I had to slip away like what we shared meant nothing.As if I wouldn't give anything to wake up tangled in his warmth, with his muscular arms around me, and his heartbeat steady beneath my ear.

Instead, I crept away before dawn like a coward, terrified that Brad would somehow know where I'd been and what that would mean for Maddie.I returned to my room to find Amy watching me with knowing eyes, forcing me to shower and scrub away Wyatt's scent when all I wanted was to wrap myself in it forever.

I’m more miserable than ever.

The shower was agony, washing away the last traces of him.My wolf raged at the loss, growling and twisting inside me.Usually, we have an uncomplicated relationship.She’s big and strong, but not overly aggressive.Most of the time, she’s happy to let me lead.

She's been my protector since we were young, emerging with surprising strength when I was just thirteen, after a male from another pack tried to corner me at a territorial gathering.Even then, she was the size of a full-grown male wolf, with golden eyes that glowed like twin suns.The elders were shocked.Female wolves rarely grow to such size, and never with such natural dominance.

For years, I've kept her hidden, afraid of the attention she would bring.In my birth pack, they called her a blessing.But I've seen how alphas like Brad look at me once they sense her power, like I'm a prize to be claimed, a weapon to be controlled.

Not today.She’s not one bit happy with any of my decisions this morning, and her fury is a constant pressure in my chest.She wants him all over us.His scent, his mark, his body pressed so deep into our soul that no one could ever question who we belong to.

The throbbing ache between my shoulder blades only adds to my misery.It started as a dull pain this morning, but has intensified to where I keep reaching back to massage the spot.Something feels wrong, not just the separation from Wyatt, but something deeper.

I slam my locker shut, inhaling deeply as I try to push the frustration down.The next round of the competition is looming, and I need to be focused.Not drowning in longing for my mate.

Wyatt will get through easily, and we’ll have another night here together.Maybe we can sleep in the woods again.It could be our thing.Who needs a bed when you’ve got a giant fluffy wolf to curl up beside?

That thought cheers me up a little, but it’s hard to concentrate on the day ahead when every instinct in me is screaming to turn around and find him.Maybe I should have stayed to make sure Brad or his buddies haven't found another way to come after him or provoke him into doing something drastic.

The thought makes my stomach twist violently.

Why the hell can’t they just leave him alone?If Wyatt was some raging, feral wolf, there’s no way he’d get handed a pack to lead anyway, no matter how strong he is.Blake isn’t reckless.He knows Wyatt isn’t some unthinking monster.He’s calm, intelligent, and has the makings of a great alpha.

Otherwise, Dean would never have let him in.

Pride swells up inside me.He’s going to win the Games, I just know it.I’ll be cheering him on from the sidelines.Hopefully.If I can get through today and avoid any more of Brad’s creepy advances.

The memory of Brad's possessive stare the night before sends a chill down my spine.

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