“You didn’t answer my question,” the man said, still smiling.
“What?”
“Your name. It’s Halo Fire-Eater, is it not?”
My skin prickled uneasily. “Why?”
The man chuckled. “It’s not every day I get to meet a celebrity.”
That piqued my interest enough for me to loosen some tension from my shoulders. “A celebrity? Me?”
“Of course. Even outside Cinderhollow, we all know of the omega mage Halo Fire-Eater. You’re a legend.”
My cheeks flushed from pride and I stood a little straighter. “Oh. I see. But how did you know it was me?”
He gestured to my head and hands. “Beautiful golden hair and eyes, and magic showering from your fingertips.”
“Oh.” I couldn’t help blushing deeper when he called mebeautiful.
“Perhaps I should be bowing?” the man said, then began to lower himself on one knee.
“Ah, no, that’s not necessary, please,” I urged. But I had to admit watching an alpha bow to medidfeel kind of good.
“Whatever you say.” He stood. “But, Halo, I have to ask… Is it true that you’re not well-respected in your own tribe?”
I shrugged. “I mean… I’m not sure ifrespectedis the right word. Nobody really bothers me, but they don’t particularlylikeme either.”
“Such a shame.” He frowned and shook his head. “For power like yours not to be appreciated in your own tribe is a huge waste.”
Hearing those words was like a drug. Despite my initial unease, I found myself aching for more of his praise. “Really?”
“Yes.” The alpha nodded slowly, like he was in awe. “You’re incredible, Halo Fire-Eater. I don’t doubt that many shifter packs and tribes outside of Cinderhollow know of you and your abilities. You’re a legend.” He smiled. “Did you know you’re known as the Golden Dragon?”
“The Golden Dragon,” I murmured, enjoying the sound of it on my tongue.
Suddenly, the man frowned as if in deep thought. “I know it’s none of my business, but… why do you stay in Cinderhollow? They obviously don’t appreciate the magnitude of your importance.”
The words warmed my cheeks and I blushed again. “Ah, I don’t know…”
“I’m serious.” The man stepped forward with his hands outstretched, palms up to indicate his deference. “They don’t respect you. They scorn you while they should be worshipping you, Halo.”
He’s right,a voice in the back of my mind whispered. I was stronger than them all, stronger than any alpha in Cinderhollow.
“They’re afraid of your power, so they put you down,” he continued. He stood closer now and his shadow fell on me as the sun set behind him in the mountaintops. “I suppose they don’t even let you openly practice your magic.”
“They don’t,” I muttered, remembering when Sterling had asked me to stop. I mean, I’d set the house on fire at the time, but still...
“Awful,” the man said scornfully. “They don’t understand what an important person you are.”
I nodded along. Every word out of this man’s mouth filled me with fiery pride and contempt. He spoke the truth - Cinderhollow and its people didn’t appreciate me, even though I’d done nothing but love them.
I wanted to protect Cinderhollow, but now…
“You are worth more than this, Halo Fire-Eater,” he murmured. He bowed again, lowering himself on one knee. “Let me ask you this. I beg of you. Leave this place behind.”
“What?” I asked softly.
His eyes flashed with desperation as he stared up at me. “They don’t deserve you.” He lowered his head. “Not that I deserve your presence, either, but my pack can at least appreciate you in a way that Cinderhollow doesn’t. You are a legend. A god among mortals.”
