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Hayden crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Nico, secretly hating the fact the girls around her sighed and asked each other who the hunk next to Alex could be. Her wolf demanded she tell them to back off, he belonged to her, but she kept her mouth shut. The she-wolf might be forcing her to sit there, but Hayden wouldn’t utter the words,he’s mine.

“Little wolf,” Nico crooned.

So lost in thought, she hadn’t seen him scale the wall and position himself in front of her.

“I’m not your little wolf anymore, Nico.” She looked everywhere but at him. “You’re also not very original. Didn’t you see? Christoph already attempted this little wall climb thing.”

“Oh, you still are mine. I am going to prove it.” He took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles, ignoring her comment. “Make sure you’re watching me out there.” He gave her a cocky grin then jumped back down and got into line.

“He’s dreamy,” Emma sighed.

“Sure, in a mangy mutt sort of way,” Hayden agreed.

“He’s not mangy at all,” Terri sighed.

Hayden’s lip curled. “Sure.”

“Don’t poke the wolf,” Zoe piped up. “That guy is her mate. Hands off. Eyes off.”

“Sorry,” Emma murmured. “I didn’t know.”

Hayden's shoulders sagged. She hated being a raging bitch. "Don't worry about it. He's not mine. Everyone keeps saying he is, but it's not true." The lie rolled easily off her tongue. The horn blew again, giving her an out on the conversation. “I guess we should pay attention now.”

The competition began. Sixteen targets had been set up in one section. Then eight about twenty-five feet farther away, and finally four more at about the fifty feet mark. The top two would have to shoot at a moving target—whoever got closest to the center won. The rules appeared quite simple. The competitors took their positions, and Hayden found herself trying to locate Nico.

Butterflies fluttered in her belly as nervous energy coursed through her. She should be pissed off at herself. She shouldn’t care if he won or not. Nonetheless, she sat forward, clenching her fists as she chanted over and over, he could do it. Bell uncurled Hayden’s hand and took it in hers as she smiled at her cousin. “He’ll do fine. He’s a great shot. We both know it.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Hayden groused, not wanting to acknowledge she’d been on edge. But, Bell was right. Nico had been at the top of his academy class. He taught her how to shoot too, and within a few weeks, she'd been as good as him. If anyone could win this particular competition it was Nico.

“I’m going to play the cousin card for a second and act like I’m older than you when I say this.” Bell sat up a little straighter. “It’s time to let the pain go, Hay. I know he hurt you. I know he broke your heart, but you’re only hurting yourself now. You’re shutting down, and I’m afraid I’ll lose my best friend if you continue down this path. I don’t want to lose you—either of you, understand?”

Hayden glanced at her cousin. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and Bell bit her trembling lip. Damn it. All of the pent-up anger bled from her. If she’d been honest with herself and everyone, she used the pain as a shield—protecting herself from being hurt again. “It’s not so easy, Bell.” Hayden hated hearing the weakness in her voice.

“I know, but you’re letting it fester.” Her cousin gave a humorless chuckle. “For a long time. The guy is seriously trying to make this up to you. Look at him.” Bell pointed to the event. Nico stood in front of the target, bow in hand, arrow nocked and ready. “He’s doing this for you.”

“Why? I don’t understand how this is proving anything,” Hayden said, some of the exasperation seeped out of her. “I didn’t tell him this is how he should fix shit. I didn't say I wanted him to do it. I don't understand."

“It’s simple,” Zoe replied. “He’s doing this for you. To show you he’d sacrifice his body to re-earn your trust. You didn’t have to tell him. You didn’t have to demand he prove himself. He’s winning your hand. He wants you. As much as you’re suffering, so is he.” She insinuated herself between Bell and Hayden. “Tell me in all honesty you don’t want your mate.”

Hayden couldn’t say it. Tears stung the corners of her eyes, and she glanced away from her cousins. “I can’t say it.” That made her hate Nico even more.

“Then you’re already on the path to healing.” Zoe grinned. “I say you enjoy these games. Get to know your mate again and see what happens.”

“I agree,” Bell added.

“Who asked you guys, anyway?” Hayden said with a sniff.

“No one, but you’re going to take our advice because we love you, Hayden. And because we’re family and we’ll always be here for each other.” Zoe hugged her tight.

“Can we root for our guys, now?" Bell asked. "I want Christoph to win."

“I doubt Rocky will do very well. He’s better at hand to hand.” Zoe grinned.

“He’s a bruiser, after all,” Hayden teased.

“You know it.” Zoe laughed.

Hayden relaxed. Maybe her cousins were right. She needed to let it all go. Allow herself to rediscover what drew her to Nico, to begin with. She also had to come to terms with the fact she’d never stopped loving him. Even on the worst days, she loved him. Even when she hated him so much the sight of him made her sick, she still loved him.