Page 23

23

Rorik

I stared out the great window behind Jade. His office smelled like books, tea, cat, and a weird rubber scent I couldn’t place.

The Dragonfate Games were over. To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Saffron chose me as his winner. His fated mate.

It still felt surreal. Only a few weeks had passed since Sheba gave me this mission and sent me off on a plane. Only a few weeks since I’d left the familiar cold and everybody I knew to arrive on the world’s sweatiest island. To be honest, I missed the tundra weather. But at least there was air conditioning here.

There were other things I missed. The taste of raw cold-water fish. The crunch of ice. My friends, Charon and Sorrel. My heart still stung whenever I remembered I hadn’t said goodbye. And now I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see them again—although something in my heart said our separation wasn’t forever.

But I wouldn’t give up my current life for anything. Saffron opened my eyes. Life didn’t have to be a miserable existence, bowing to the whims of people calling themselves my ‘superiors’. There was a better world out there—and I was living in it.

Absentmindedly, my hand moved across my belly. It was as big as ever, but it wasn’t just full of food. We had a baby on the way. I felt it in my bones. Every time I felt nostalgic for the tundra clan, I remembered my child. A protective ferocity surged within me. There was no way in hell I’d let them go through what I did. My baby deserved to be raised with love in a welcoming family. Among dragons, ferrets, tigers, and everything else.

“Is that all right with you, Rorik?”

Jade’s voice jerked me back to reality.

“Sorry, I was distracted,” I said. “Could you repeat that?”

He smiled patiently. “That’s okay. I asked if you’re all right with airing the season as planned.”

Beside me, Saffron rubbed my knee. His touch was reassuring.

“We don’t have to,” my mate added, his mouth turned into a slight frown. “If you’re worried.”

“Worried about what?” I asked.

Jade tented his fingers on his desk. “Your ex-clan. If we air the season, they could see you. They will know exactly where you are, and why you never returned. As a high-control group, I suspect they won’t be happy seeing you with their ‘enemy’.”

I grimaced at the difficult situation, but at the same time, my heart was fond. The dragons really did care about me. They didn’t have to ask my permission. It was their island, their TV show—they could do whatever they wanted. Instead, they worried for my comfort and safety. I was still getting used to their kindness.

“Sheba did tell me not to return if I didn’t accomplish my mission,” I pointed out.

Saffron rolled his eyes. “Stupid, dumb mission…”

“What if they think you’re under a dragon’s spell, or otherwise manipulated into staying?” Jade prompted.

I shook my head. “In that case, they’d think even less of me. An omega who breaks free of their control isn’t worth their time. Trust me.”

A loud scoff came from behind us. A white-haired omega smelling of baby powder sauntered over to Jade’s desk, perching himself on the corner while he ate a cookie.

“A brutal alpha-led clan who treats omegas like breeding cattle. How original,” he sneered. “Nice to meet you, by the way. I’m Alaric.”

I realized he was the source of the cat scent. Jade must’ve filled him in.

“Rorik,” I replied.

Alaric handed me half his cookie. “Here. You’re eating for two, are you not?”

I took it gratefully. “So it seems.”

Saffron gasped in excitement. “Rorik! Really? How do you know?”

“It’s just a feeling I have.” I glanced down at my belly, sensing the beginnings of life growing inside.

“Congratulations,” Jade said. “There will be plenty of time to celebrate. For now, let’s get back to the topic at hand. Are you absolutely sure you’d like this footage to air?”

Alaric huffed, breaking off a piece of cookie. “Hang on. What’s the point of this season?”

“Rude,” Saffron grumbled.

“I don’t mean it like that,” Alaric said, waving a hand. “You wanted your fated mate, and you found him. Isn’t that enough for you?”

Saffron cocked his head. “Hm… Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“And what are the Games except an intricate advertisement for the next season?” Alaric continued.

Jade nodded slowly. “I see what you’re getting at, kitten. You’re implying there’s no next season of the Games.”

“What?” Saffron cried. “Why?”

Jade and Alaric arched matching eyebrows at him.

“Oh,” Saffron said, sitting back in his seat. “Because of Viol.”

“Because of Viol,” Alaric agreed. He tossed the rest of the cookie in his mouth, then dusted off his hands. “You’d have more luck herding cats than getting Viol to agree to be bachelor.”

“Indeed,” Jade agreed with a wry smile. “Especially since he’s so busy babysitting these days. I assume that’s where our son is, kitten?”

“Him and about sixty other children,” Alaric agreed. “I’ve lost track at this point. Oh, don’t get me wrong—I’m ecstatic to see what kind of adorable polar bear-dragon baby you two have,” he added with a warm glint in his odd eyes.

Jade sighed. “What to do about Viol…”

As the conversation whirled around him, I couldn’t stop thinking about my encounter with Viol after that dinner. He’d seemed so nervous. What was he afraid of?

“I think my presence upset him,” I murmured.

Saffron glared at this perceived slight. He gripped my knee possessively. “Don’t talk like that. You have every right to be here.”

“I know,” I said gently. “But we have a complicated history. He can’t ignore that. I imagine he feels guilty.”

Alaric raised a brow at Jade, who I suspected knew everything—or at least as much as I did.

“About?” the cat shifter asked.

Jade’s gaze was serious. “I’ll tell you later.”

“There was one other thing,” I mused. “Viol acted strange when I mentioned Poppy.”

The room fell silent.

Alaric pursed his lips, then sat up straighter. “Hang on. Jade, do you remember that day I talked to Viol privately? Near the end of our conversation, he leaned in and sniffed me.”

Even Jade looked baffled. “Why?”

“He wasn’t smelling me ,” Alaric continued, his pale brows knitting together. “Right before that, I was with Poppy. We hugged and said goodbye.” Alaric paused as the implication unfolded for everybody. “Viol was smelling Poppy’s scent on my clothes.”

Saffron’s hands flew to his mouth. “Oh, fuck. Wait, you guys are serious. This is huge . Viol likes Poppy?”

Even Jade looked shocked. He shook his head slowly in disbelief. “It can’t be. There must be a simpler explanation.”

“What’s simpler than love?” Saffron argued.

Suddenly, my heart hammered. Viol admitted he’d razed my village to the ground to help somebody.

What if that somebody was Poppy?

“I need time to think,” Jade said, rubbing his temple. For once, he sounded out of his depth. “If the Games are to continue for a seventh season—for Viol—then we must figure this out.”

Saffron sighed. “Yeah, and it’s not exactly like we can ask him. He’d flip.”

“I’m sorry. This is my fault,” I murmured.

Everybody in the room glared at me.

“What?” I blurted.

“Shut up, Rorik,” Alaric said, not unkindly. “We don’t do that self-deprecating wallowing here.” His gaze softened. “And it worries me how much you sound like Poppy when you say that.”

My stomach twisted. Poppy wouldn’t tell me the truth, not even after rekindling our friendship. Had he told anybody at all? Or was he burdened by it all by himself?

“Maybe if he agrees to return, Viol will agree to do the Games,” I suggested.

“Poppy’s had an open invitation every single season,” Jade pointed out. “And he’s accepted them all, knowing that the bachelor wasn’t Viol. Biding his time, perhaps. Or seeking an opportunity to talk with Viol.”

Alaric scoffed. “And he always helps other people win. It’s annoying.”

My heart squeezed. Poppy had helped me during two challenges, too. Had he gone out of his way to assist other omegas every time? When would he finally help himself?

“I’ll talk to Poppy,” I said.

“Whatever you do, don’t encourage him to stay here on the island between seasons,” Alaric warned. “I tried that and he did not like it. Said he wouldn’t be someone’s dog, sitting alone in a corner.”

I took Alaric’s caution to heart, but it only fueled my concern for my friend.

I sought out Poppy as he prepared to pack up and leave the island. His hotel room was empty, save for a single beat-up suitcase. He’d always been naturally tidy and organized, though I suspected his speedy packing was due to practice from recurring visits on the show.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Poppy asked, folding the last shirt.

I didn’t come all this way just to lie to him, but I figured opening with good news would be best.

“Saffron and I are expecting,” I told him, unable to hold back a smile despite my worry.

Poppy fumbled the shirt with a gasp. “Oh, Rorik!” He flew to hug me. His thin arms felt like twigs poking into my big belly. “I’m so happy. You have no idea…”

Tears made his eyes glisten.

“You were right about everything,” I said. “Sorry for ever doubting you.”

He shook his head, smiling ruefully. “You deserve all the credit. All I did was encourage you to give dragons a chance.”

“I’m glad I did.” I paused to gather my words. Not for the first time, I wished I was better at speaking. “Poppy, you’re coming back next season, right?”

He pulled away and blinked up at me, then averted his gaze. “I don’t know. Am I?” he asked softly. “The only bachelor left is…”

His voice trailed off. He lapsed into silence.

“Back on the hill, when I fought Kaskian,” I began carefully. “Did that upset you?”

A momentary flash of pain skirted across Poppy’s warm brown eyes.

“No, it wasn’t you,” he murmured. “It just… reminded me of something.”

I spoke as gently as I could muster. “You still haven’t told me what happened that day.”

“I overreacted.”

“Not during the challenge. I meant when Viol attacked our clan.”

A visible shudder rippled over Poppy. He sat on the bed. His gaze was distant.

I wouldn’t let him face this alone. I slid next to him, hesitated, then put my arm comfortingly around his small shoulders. Back in our clan, omegas were discouraged from showing platonic affection to each other. It had taken me a while to clear that conditioning from my mind. Saffron and his family taught me that displaying fondness was okay—and if anybody needed that, it was Poppy.

“You don’t have to tell me,” I said when he remained silent. “I just want you to know you’re not alone. This island is full of people who love you.”

Poppy’s breathing grew uneven. His words came out thick, like his throat was constricted by emotion. “I know, Rorik. Thank you.”

He leaned against my shoulder. I felt his body tremble as he fought off tears. After a few deep calming breaths, he stopped shaking.

“Next season. Will he be there?” Poppy asked in a small, weak voice.

Was he afraid of Viol? Or was it the opposite? If it was the latter, I’d protect Poppy.

“Is Viol the dragon who helped you?” I asked.

Poppy pursed his lips. “Answer my question first.”

I chuckled at his straightforwardness. “If that’s what you want, then Jade and the others will do everything they can to make it happen.”

He stared at the floor for what felt like an eon.

“Yes,” he murmured, so quiet it was barely a whisper. “I’ll be there if he is.”

A million questions swam in my mind, but I didn’t push Poppy. He seemed resistant to talking about it. Just knowing I’d see him again was enough.

“By the way… where do you live now?” I asked.

He fiddled with his fingers. “Oh, um. I live in the human city. It’s different, but I’m used to it.”

I grimaced at the idea of living among humans, but then I remembered our shared history. The alpha shifters we’d lived under were anything but gracious.

Poppy read my mind. “I know what you’re thinking, but a lot of humans are very kind. My neighbor, Mrs. Sara, bakes me blueberry muffins every week. And the clerks at the food bank are always happy to see me.”

“Food bank?”

“It’s a place where people without a lot of money can get food.” He frowned. “I won too much prize money during Cobalt’s season, and I don’t need it. So every week, I donate it to organizers who buy others food.” He shook his head. “Human societies are strange. Some humans hoard, but not the way dragons do. It’s never their passion. It’s always money.”

I’d never used money and didn’t understand it, but Poppy sounded generous with it, like he was with all things.

Poppy faced me. “Anyway, I’m safe, if that’s what you’re asking. So don’t worry, okay?”

“I’ll try,” I promised.

His gaze fell to my belly with a soft smile. “I’m excited to meet your little one.”

My heart fluttered in excitement. I ran my palms over my roundness, imagining the budding life inside. What would they look like? How would they behave? Would they have Saffron’s golden eyes, or my dark ones?

“Me, too,” I said.