Page 8

8

Wyatt

" Y ou were amazing out there," I tell Naomi as we walk away from the obstacle course, the last challenge of the day now behind us. Her cheeks are still flushed with exertion and triumph. The late afternoon sun catches in her dark hair, making it shine like silk. I can't stop looking at her.

She laughs, the sound light and musical. "Not as fast as you, but I held my own."

We both crushed it, a brutal combination of strength, agility, and problem-solving that left most competitors exhausted. Even the alphas with impressive bloodlines struggled. But Naomi moved through it all with a grace that left everyone watching in awe. I couldn't have been prouder.

"They're just worried." I shrug, trying to downplay the whispers that followed us as we completed the course. "No one expected either of us to make it this far. Especially a mere female. How dare I?" Her proud smile makes my chest tighten.

We find a quiet spot beneath an ancient oak tree, far enough from the main area that we can talk without being overheard. Naomi sinks down onto the grass with a sigh, stretching her legs out in front of her. I settle beside her, careful to keep a respectable distance, even though my wolf is practically clawing at me to get closer.

"Tired?" I ask, noticing how she rubs at a spot on her calf.

"Just a little sore. It's been a while since I've pushed myself like that."

Without thinking, I reach over. "May I?"

She hesitates only briefly before nodding, and I gently pull her leg across my lap. My large hands wrap around her calf as I knead the tight muscle. Her sharp intake of breath makes me pause.

"Too hard?"

"No," she says quickly. "It's perfect."

I work in silence for a few moments, hyper-aware of every point where our bodies connect. The mate bond hums between us, strengthening with each touch. When I finish with her calf, I reluctantly let go, but she doesn't move her leg away immediately.

"Where did you learn to do that?" she asks, her voice softer than before.

"Jamie used to get cramps when we were on the move for too long with a poor diet and lack of fresh water." I shrug. "You figure things out when there's no one else to help."

Naomi's expression shifts, a mixture of sadness and something else I can't quite name, crossing her features. Her hand reaches out, hesitantly at first, then with more confidence as she traces a jagged scar that runs along my forearm.

"And this?"

I glance down at the old wound. “Some wolves who didn’t take kindly to a rogue camping out on their land.”

Her fingers move higher, finding another scar near my elbow. This one is smaller but deeper. "And this one?"

"Shifter bar fight. Three years ago. Working the door seems to be the only thing most people think I’m good for."

Naomi's touch is feather light as she moves to a third scar, this one at my shoulder, just visible beneath the sleeve of my T-shirt.

I tense slightly as her fingers brush against it.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," she says quickly, withdrawing her hand.

I catch it, holding her palm against the scar. "No, it's okay." I take a breath. "When I was seventeen. My first real challenge was from another alpha who really took exception to hearing that I hunted inside his border. I was still half-asleep when he attacked."

She says nothing, just watches me with those incredible blue eyes.

"Living as a rogue isn't easy," I admit.

"I hate you had to go through all that," she whispers, her eyes bright with emotion. "That you never had a safe place to call home."

I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "The future's looking up now."

Her breath catches, and for a moment, we just stare at each other, the air between us charged with unspoken promises.

"Wyatt," she murmurs, and the way she says my name breaks something loose inside me.

I lean forward slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wants to.

She doesn't.

Instead, she meets me halfway, and when our lips touch, it's like finding a piece of myself I didn't know was missing.

The kiss is gentle, exploring, but quickly deepens as Naomi's hands slide up to my shoulders, pulling me closer. I cup her face, marveling at how delicate she feels beneath my rough palms. Her scent envelops me, driving my wolf crazy.

A small sound escapes her when I tangle my fingers in her hair, and it nearly undoes me. I pull back just enough to look at her, to make sure this is what she wants.

Her eyes are molten gold now, her wolf close to the surface. "Don't stop," she breathes, and I'm lost again.

This time when our lips meet, there's an urgency that wasn't there before. Naomi shifts, moving to straddle my lap, her body pressed against mine in all the right places.

My hands find her waist, then slide lower, pulling her even closer, as the kiss turns hungry, desperate.

The sound of distant voices finally breaks through the haze of desire. Naomi pulls back, her chest heaving, lips swollen from our kisses.

"We should probably stop," she says, though her body language suggests otherwise.

I nod, though it takes every ounce of willpower I possess. "Probably."

Neither of us moves for a long moment. Then Naomi laughs softly, resting her forehead against mine. "Wow."

"It's going to be hard not to keep touching you," I tell her, running my thumbs along her hip bones.

She shivers at my touch and runs her hands down over my chest, her wolf rumbling in satisfaction. It’s almost impossible to ignore the urge to flex and show off.

Reluctantly, she climbs off my lap, adjusting her clothes. I stand too, needing a moment to regain my composure before we rejoin the others.

“Okay, let’s go.”

I can’t resist one more gentle kiss before we leave, and her breathless sigh fills me up, lightening my soul in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.

Just being with her is a gift.

As we approach the cabins where competitors are staying, we hear raised voices. I instinctively step slightly in front of Naomi, my protective instincts kicking in.

"This is bullshit!" The angry voice belongs to Ryan Williams, and he's confronting Eli and Dash outside our shared cabin. "You let a fucking rogue shack up with us? What, are you his pets now?"

Eli, normally easygoing, stands his ground. "Back off, Ryan. This isn't your business."

"It is when he's making a mockery of these games." Ryan snarls, shoving Eli hard enough that he stumbles back. "And anyone who helps him is just as bad. Well, I’m not fucking staying here. I’ll find somewhere else to sleep, somewhere not riddled with fleas from that mangy creature."

I feel Naomi tense beside me, but before she can step forward, I'm already moving.

"Problem here?" My voice is deceptively calm as I approach.

Ryan whirls, his expression shifting from surprise to contempt. "Well, if it isn't the stray dog himself."

"Wyatt," Dash starts, looking relieved to see me. "We were just…"

"I know exactly what's happening," I cut in, my focus on Ryan. "And I think you were just leaving."

Ryan snorts, sizing me up. I have at least four inches and forty pounds on him, but his alpha blood makes him cocky. "Or what? You'll go feral on me? Loser."

Eli and Dash move to flank me. Their loyalty is touching, even as I wish they'd stay out of it.

"Funny," I say, "I don't recall seeing your name on the winner's board yet. Until then, maybe worry about your own place here."

Ryan's face flushes with anger. "You think you're so tough, don't you? But we all know what you really are. Nothing but a…"

"Careful," Naomi interrupts, stepping up beside me. Her voice is cold, dangerous. "Or did you forget what Dean said about there always being someone watching?"

Ryan blinks, momentarily thrown by her intervention. His gaze flicks between us, and I can see the moment he registers our closeness, the protective stance I've taken. A nasty smile spreads across his face, cruel and knowing.

"Brad's been very... vocal about his plans for you. Seems like he's got big expectations." His gaze slides between us. "Wonder what he'd think about this little… arrangement?"

Before I can react, Naomi steps forward, her eyes flashing gold. "What I do, or don’t do, is none of your business. Now get out of here before I show you just how unladylike I can be."

Ryan falters at the raw power in her voice, but recovers quickly. "Whatever you say. Just seems like someone should warn the rogue about what he's getting himself into." He looks directly at me. "She comes with more baggage than you realize, stray. And is far more evil than she looks."

I move closer to stand shoulder to shoulder with Naomi. "If I catch you bothering anyone again, we're going to have a much different conversation."

Ryan shoots us one last glare before stalking off, his shoulders rigid with anger.

Once he's out of earshot, Eli lets out a low whistle. "Damn, Naomi. I think you scared him more than Wyatt did."

Naomi manages a small smile, but I can tell something's shifted. Her body language has changed, her shoulders tightening, and her gaze distant, just like earlier when she closed down after the scent trial.

Two steps forward, one step back.

Ryan's words hit a nerve, and whatever simple comfort had been building between us all day was rapidly disappearing.

"You didn't have to do that," I tell her, though I can't deny the pride I feel seeing her stand up for me, for us.

"I wanted to." Her voice is tight, controlled. She turns to Eli and Dash. "Are you guys okay?"

Dash nods, looking a little sheepish. "Yeah, thanks. He's been trying to stir up trouble all day, saying anyone who associates with Wyatt is going to regret it."

I frown. "I'm sorry you're catching heat because of me. Do you want me to move out?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Eli says firmly, with a relaxed shake of his head. It seems it takes more than Ryan spouting off to rattle him.

"That's what a pack is," Dash says simply, and the word hits me hard. Pack. It's been so long since I've felt that sense of belonging, of loyalty that extends beyond just me and Jamie.

"Yeah," I agree, my throat suddenly tight. "I guess it is."

I glance at Naomi, noticing how quiet she's become. Her eyes have that faraway look, her mind clearly churning with thoughts she's not sharing.

"Hey," I whisper. "You okay?"

She blinks, coming back to the present. "Just exhausted. It's been a long day."

Something about Ryan's words bothered her, and I'm not sure if it's the right time to dig deeper.

Naomi's hand finds my arm, squeezing gently, but there's a hesitation there that wasn't present before. "I should go. My roommates will wonder where I've been."

I nod, reluctant to let her leave, but understanding the need for discretion.

"Good luck in the next challenge," she says, her eyes finally meeting mine fully. "You deserve this, Wyatt. A pack of your own. Don't let anything distract you from that."

I can see it now. She's pulling away, creating distance. But why? What did Ryan's words trigger?

As she walks away, a piece of my soul goes with her. She might be trying to put some distance between us, but her pain just serves to draw me closer.

We’ll figure it out, whatever it is.

“Sorry about the trouble, guys. I’m going to go for a run and clear my head.” Bidding the brother goodbye, I shift and head for the trees, eager for the peace and solitude that being among the trees brings.

The forest is peaceful at night, the sounds of the day giving way to the gentle rustle of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. I settle against the base of a large tree, my back protected, with a clear view of my surroundings.

Old habits die hard.

I hadn't planned to sleep in the woods again, but after the confrontation with Ryan, I thought it best to give Eli and Dash a break from the drama I seem to bring with me. They protested, of course, but I could see the relief in their eyes when I insisted.

Besides, the forest feels more like home than any building ever has. Out here, I can breathe, can let my guard down just enough to rest.

As I close my eyes, the events of the day play through my mind. The challenges we conquered and the way Naomi moved with such grace through every obstacle. The feel of her beneath my hands, the taste of her lips...

Sleep doesn’t come easily, and something nags at me, something I can't quite shake. The idea of Naomi being upset is gnawing at my insides and making my wolf mad.

But that's exactly the problem, isn't it? My protective instincts. If I confront Brad now, or demand Ryan spill what he knows, I could lose my place in the Games. I could lose any chance of winning a pack, at creating a safe place for both of us.

And whatever is happening with Naomi and her sister, it's clear she believes I need to win this competition.

A twig snaps in the darkness, pulling me instantly alert. My nose picks up a familiar scent… Jax. Not threatening, just... watchful.

I don't acknowledge his presence. But I know he's there, his massive wolf's form moving silently between the trees, keeping his distance, but always within earshot. I sense his inner turmoil, and I leave him be. This is his pack, and his way of keeping his animal under control, and I respect him for doing whatever he needs to stay on an even keel.

Being out here, with another person close by, reminds me of the countless nights Jamie and I spent taking turns keeping watch, never fully sleeping, and always ready to run at the first sign of danger. One of us was always guarding, while the other grabbed what rest they could.

But this is different. Jax isn't here because I asked him to be. He's here because, for whatever reason, he's decided I'm worth protecting and is stepping into Jamie’s role while she’s preoccupied with her new mating to Dean.

Safe in the knowledge that he’ll keep an eye out while I rest, I drift toward sleep, wondering if this is what it feels like to have a real pack again. People who have your back without being asked. People who care enough to stand up for you, to watch over you.

People like Naomi, whose kiss still burns on my lips and whose presence I can feel through the mate bond even now, leaves a comforting warmth in my chest despite the distance she's trying to create between us.

I fall asleep without fear, knowing I'm not alone. But my heart remains troubled by the secrets my mate seems determined to carry alone.

Even when my wolf eventually stirs in the early hours, restless and eager to run, Jax's scent still lingers nearby. A silent sentinel in the darkness. A reminder that things are changing.

Whether the change is for better or worse remains to be seen.