Page 70 of Savage Games

Lynn sets the tray down and takes the seat opposite, watching as I reluctantly pick up a slice and nibble on the corner.

The first bite breaks something in me.I hadn't realized how hungry I was or how close to physical collapse.I eat greedily, barely pausing for breath as Lynn watches with quiet satisfaction.

"Better?"she asks when I've cleared half the bowl.

I nod, suddenly embarrassed by my lack of manners."Thank you."

Lynn waves away my thanks and hands me a napkin."Part of my job.Can't have competitors fainting during rounds."Her eyes, sharp and assessing, see more than I'm comfortable with."Though I'm guessing food is the least of your concerns right now."

I set down my fork, appetite suddenly gone, despite the gnawing emptiness still in my stomach.

"I need to pull out of the competition," I say abruptly."I need to get my sister and leave.Today."

I'll find Wyatt and explain.If he wins the pack, I can come back then.If not, maybe he'd join us, show us how to live as rogues.Anything is better than that asshole using me to expand his empire while he tortures my sister and uses her to force me to do his bidding.

"I know I've come this far, but none of it matters anymore," I continue, unable to stop the words pouring out."Brad will destroy Maddie if I don't get her away from here.And Wyatt..."I swallow hard, the mate bond throbbing dully in my chest."I have to find him.I have to explain everything before he thinks I've rejected him."

Lynn's expression doesn't change."Running won't solve your problems, Naomi.It will just create new ones."

"You don't understand..."

Shaking my head stubbornly, I close my eyes and try to get a lock on where Wyatt is, but our bond feels weak and strained.All my fault, of course.I should have slapped Brad straight across the face when he dared touch me last night.And I should have walked back here proudly with my mate this morning.

"I understand more than you think."Her voice is quiet but holds a weight that stops me."I see the way you look at Brad.I hear how your voice changes when you speak of him.I know fear and hatred when I see it."

Her words hit home with surprising force.Is it that obvious to everyone?Have I been transparent all along, thinking I was being so careful?

My throat tightens."It's about Maddie.She's in danger.Maybe we both are."

"Brad?"Lynn asks directly, looking unsurprised.

I hesitate, weighing honesty against caution."Yes.He's got it in for her, blames her for his brother's death.I thought this was our way out, but it's not worth it.And now, he’s targeting Wyatt, so he can’t protect us."

"His brother was Maddie's mate," I elaborate, choosing my words carefully."Rowan Norton.He died six months ago, an accident during a hunt.Brad never accepted it.He's been...watching her.Controlling her.Refusing to let her leave his territory."

I take a shaky breath, deciding how much to reveal."Yesterday, before the dinner, I saw him talking to Ryan Williams.They have some kind of plan to get Wyatt disqualified or make him leave.I think they're going to do something during today's challenge."

That's as much as I can say, but even admitting that feels like a weight off my mind.

Lynn nods, as if I've confirmed something she already suspected."Dean won't let him harm her.Not here.He’ll go to any lengths to help someone he thinks deserves it.”

I glance at her, wondering she talking about more than Maddie, maybe even herself, but decide to mind my own business.

"I appreciate that.But what about when we leave?When the Alpha Games are over?"I can't keep the bitterness from my voice."Brad doesn't forgive, and he doesn't forget.He'll make her pay for daring to leave.For daring to speak up."

"Then win," Lynn says simply.

I stare at her, momentarily speechless.

"Win the games," she continues."Become an alpha in your own right.Then no one can touch her, or you.Do it while they’re all so focused on stopping Wyatt.Win the Games," she repeats, leaning forward."Brad's plan depends on you needing him, on you being powerless without him.So take that power for yourself.Be an alpha.”

She tilts her head, studying me with those sharp eyes."And from what I've seen, you're more than capable.Your wolf is exceptional, and you've been holding her back."

A hollow laugh escapes me."It's not that simple.Have you seen Wyatt?"

"No, I haven't.Nobody has.And if he doesn't show up soon, the competition is wide open again."Lynn agrees.

Unease slithers down my spine, and I sit up straight, sliding a hand up my back to rub between my shoulder blades.

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