Page 27

27

Naomi

T he starting area buzzes with nervous energy.

Competitors stretch side by side, darting suspicious glances at each other. The field narrows with each round, and the stakes climb higher. The easy camaraderie of the first stages is gone. Everyone means business now.

I can't focus on any of it.

My gaze sweeps the assembled wolves for the tenth time, searching for that massive frame that should be towering above everyone else. The one person who should be impossible to miss. The one wolf everyone knows they have to beat if they want to get their hands on a pack.

But Wyatt is nowhere to be seen.

The mate bond in my chest has transformed from an uncomfortable tug to a painful urgency, like a physical force yanking at me to leave. My hand keeps straying to the spot between my shoulder blades, where that strange burning sensation continues to throb. I've tried ignoring it, pushing it beneath my worry about Brad's schemes and Maddie's safety, but I can't anymore.

I try to catch Jamie’s eye and attempt to convey my worry, but she’s caught up with her Luna duties and seems to be studiously avoiding looking at me.

Where the hell is he?

Eli and Dash approach. Their usual cheerful faces are tight with concern. They've been Wyatt's roommates since the competition began, and while I barely know them, I've seen how they've accepted him when most others wouldn't have. I take a deep breath, hoping to catch a recent scent on them, but nothing. He hasn’t been with them either.

The brothers both share the same earnest eyes and quick smiles, though today, those smiles are nowhere to be seen. Unlike most competitors who've treated Wyatt with suspicion or outright hostility, these two have become his friends.

"Hey," Eli says, glancing around before leaning closer and speaking in a hushed tone. "Have you seen Wyatt this morning?"

“Shit.” I frown, disappointment clawing at my insides, even though deep down, I know he isn’t close by. "No. I was hoping he might be with you."

Dash shakes his head. "His bed wasn't slept in. I mean, that's not unusual for Wyatt, but… normally, he comes back and tries to pretend he did."

I blink, caught off guard, and Dash flushes, shrugging unapologetically when he realises he’s given something away that I amn’t aware of.

"He sleeps outside sometimes," he clarifies quickly. "Well, most nights. Says the walls feel too close after years as a rogue. But he always shows up for breakfast, and his stuff's usually there."

More guilt. Another detail about the man I'm supposed to spend my life with that I've missed. While I've been obsessing over Brad and Maddie, I should have been getting to know Wyatt, his habits, his needs, his story. Instead, I'm learning about him secondhand from wolves who've known him for less than a week.

"Did something happen?" I keep my voice neutral, just one competitor asking about another.

The brothers exchange a look that makes my stomach clench. What else don’t I know?

"Our room was trashed yesterday," Eli says, dropping his voice. "Someone got in during dinner. Destroyed everything. Wyatt's stuff mostly, but ours, too."

So the rumours are true. The fight wasn’t random. He’s been dealing with a hate campaign from the cowardly wolves who know they can’t beat him, fair and square.

"Pissed all over his bed and clothes," Dash adds, his normally playful expression hardening with disgust. "Like fucking animals. Wyatt's stuff was destroyed. They shredded everything."

I stare at them, horrified. The few possessions Wyatt owns, likely everything he's accumulated during his years as a rogue, deliberately ruined. The cruelty of it makes my blood boil.

“Of course it was,” I mutter. I can guess who orchestrated it, or at the very least, planted the poisonous seeds in the minds of some shifters now standing at the start line with me. My stomach knots. "Did you report it?"

Dash’s lips curl into a sneer as he stares down at Ryan Williams, who’s standing with arms folded at the other end of the line, laughing with three other competitors. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out whose scent was in the room. Ryan’s expensive athletic gear and perfectly styled hair scream carefree privilege, but his eyes tell a different story; cold, calculating, watchful. When he catches me looking, he smirks and whispers something to his companions, who all turn to stare at me with matching sneers.

Them. They did it.

"Dean knows." Eli confirms, a dangerous gleam in his eye. I have a feeling if it weren’t for the risk of losing his place in the Games, he’d be going after them himself. "Wyatt said he'd sleep in the forest last night. Didn't want to bring more trouble on us." He looks genuinely worried as he stares deep into the shadows of the huge, dark trees. "But he should’ve been back by now. He wouldn’t miss this."

He’s right. He wouldn’t. Even if he’s mad at me, he’s doing this for a bigger purpose. It’s a home for him, yes, but also for others he knows need it.

"He's been talking about this round for days," Dash adds. "Said it would be his chance to really show what he can do, that being in the forest is where he excels."

I nod, the knot in my stomach tightening. Wyatt would never voluntarily miss this opportunity, no matter how hurt or angry he might be with me.

"Could he have left?" Dash asks hesitantly. "After everything that's happened, maybe he just... decided it wasn't worth it?"

"No," I say, with more conviction than I should show. "He wouldn't leave without telling someone. Especially Jamie."

They nod, but the worry doesn't leave their eyes. They’re thinking the same thing as me. If he’s here, then where the hell is he?

"If you see him," Eli says, "tell him to find us. We've got spare clothes for him after... you know. And we have his back."

Their support, even when Wyatt represents the biggest threat to their chances, is a testament to how decent these guys are.

"I will." I promise, anxiety climbing another notch. “Thank you.”

As they walk away, movement near the edge of the gathering catches my eye, and the scent that drifts to me on the breeze has my wolf sitting up to pay attention.

Maddie, my sister, stands partially hidden behind Lynn. She's actually here, out in public, and not locked away or under guard.

The sight of her sends relief washing through me. My sister is alive and relatively well. She's lost weight, her cheekbones too prominent in her pale face, and dark circles shadow her eyes. But she's standing on her own, her chin held high, despite the slight tremor in her hands.

Our eyes meet, and when she gives me a steady nod, relief washes through me. She’s okay. Her face is drawn with the strain of recent weeks, but her eyes are clear, alert. She looks stronger than I’d expected.

MADDIE: Naomi. I've been so worried. You okay?

NAOMI: I should be saying that to you.

I keep my expression neutral while our thoughts race back and forth between us.

NAOMI: What are you doing out here? You need to stay out of Brad’s way until I win this thing and get us both out.

Guilt flickers across her features.

MADDIE: I can't do this anymore. I’d prefer to tell them everything and take my chances rather than live like this.

NAOMI: Are you sure?

MADDIE: Whatever he’s up to, you can’t let him win.

Her mental voice carries more strength than I've heard in months, traces of the spirited sister I grew up with, the one who existed before Rowan systematically broke her down.

I want to hug her, to physically reassure myself she's safe, but Callum, who’s speaking in hushed voices at the side of the starting line, catches my attention. He glances around the gathered competitors, then at me, a question in his eyes, and I shake my head.

I don’t know where he is either.

NAOMI: Don't tell anyone anything yet. Not until we've talked properly. Not until I’m with you.

I let her feel my urgency. She needs to know the lies he’s been spreading first.

MADDIE: He says you’re embarrassing the pack by taking up with a vicious rogue, and everyone will believe him if he says we’ve lost our minds… are you? With a rogue?

Her curiosity and concern flows through our mental connection. There's no judgment in her question, only perhaps a trace of hope that I've found happiness despite everything.

Once again, rage burns inside me. So he knows. He knows Wyatt is my mate, and he’s purposefully standing in the way of a fated pair. It goes against everything wolf shifters hold sacred.

NAOMI: I found him, Maddie. But Wyatt’s not like that. Just don't let Brad get you alone, no matter what. I’ll explain later.

I can't help the rush of warmth that accompanies my thoughts of Wyatt, and Maddie picks up on it immediately, her eyes widening slightly.

MADDIE: Your mate? Is he your mate?

I hesitate, then nod slightly, unable to deny the truth when she can feel it through our link.

MADDIE: Oh, Naomi. That's wonderful. And Brad knows?

NAOMI: I think so.

Maddie looks nervous, but she’s still got some spirit left.

MADDIE: I did what I had to do, and I'd do it again. And if they want to lock me up for that, so be it.

I admire her bravery, but she’s still weak. She might want to stand up for herself, but she’s not physically strong enough yet.

NAOMI: Promise me you'll stay with Lynn or Dean.

She glances at Lynn, who's deep in conversation with Callum, who checks the time once more while scanning his surroundings.

NAOMI: You can trust her. And him. But no one else until we figure this out.

Dean's powerful voice interrupts our silent communication, calling competitors to attention. I shoot Maddie one last look, warning her to be careful.

A ripple of excitement passes through the crowd. It looks like things are about to kick off. They can’t wait any longer for Wyatt to arrive.

Dean stands at the front, his powerful presence drawing all eyes. Dressed in simple black athletic wear, he looks both relaxed and formidable. Blake stands beside him, his expression unreadable. And there, among the gathered alphas, is Brad, immaculate in his tailored clothes despite the outdoor setting.

When his eyes meet mine, his smile widens, the predatory gleam unmistakable. My wolf bristles, sensing danger.

Why is he standing with Blake?

"The next challenge," Dean announces, "will test not just your physical abilities, but your strategy, adaptability, and survival instincts when pitted against the most formidable of opponents."

Oh no.

A murmur runs through the crowd as the fact that the alphas seem to be part of the event registers. I focus on Dean, refusing to look in Brad’s direction, but I feel his eyes on me.

"Each of you will be given a head start, then the alphas you see here…" he gestures to the imposing figures beside him, including Brad, "will pursue you through the forest. Your task is simple: reach the marker at the northern boundary without being caught before your time runs out."

The remaining competitors all glance at each other, scarcely believing what we’re hearing. The curiosity in the crowd rises to a buzz of anticipation. Dean twists and sweeps his hand toward the massive, ancient forest at his back.

As Dean's words sink in, the forest behind him takes on a more ominous character. No longer just a beautiful backdrop, it's now the arena for a primal contest, thousands of acres of dense woodland full of ravines, caves, streams, and shadows where anything could happen. Where a wolf could disappear without a trace.

"Yes, ladies and gentlemen, today you will be hunted."