But then again, hedidhave a point. It would be difficult for most of the omegas here to hunt down a boar, especially the prey animal shifters. Wasn't the point for the challenge to be difficult, though? We were supposed to prove ourselves as potential mates for Crimson.
A blush rose to my cheeks as I recalled that we'd alreadymatedlast night. And it was amazing. But nobody else had to know that yet—especially not Alaric. He'd spontaneously combust if he found out.
I felt a bit sorry for him. It couldn't be easy to crave an alpha's attention, to put your whole effort into earning it, not knowing whether you'd receive it or not. Despite his sour attitude, I wished the best for Alaric. Hopefully, one day he'd find an alpha who could handle him.
Unfortunately for him, that wasn't Crimson. Crimson was all mine.
"I'll tell you what, Alaric," Crimson said. "Whoever finds the boarfirstwill get a guaranteed date with me."
I froze.
What did he just say?
In the past, I'd completed the challenges, but I'd never technically come in first place. I was always chosen from a pool of winners to go on dates with Crimson.
As I caught Crimson's eyes, there was a knowing gleam in them. He was calm and collected, like he knew the challenge would go according to his plans.
What did that mean for me? Did he know I'd win, no matter what? Maybe I was right when I assumed he'd tailored this challenge specifically to my skills.
My heart flipped. Crimson loved me. He promised I was the only omega he wanted, that he didn't want anybody else—and I believed him.
Hewantedme to win.
So I'd do it.
Meanwhile, Alaric took Crimson's words as a challenge. His hands balled into fists and he nodded firmly. "Good. Look forward to our date tonight."
Without waiting to see Crimson's mildly flabbergasted expression, Alaric stormed off and shifted to prepare himself.
My friends shifted, too. Everybody was taking this challenge seriously.
Just before I shifted into my tiger form, I caught Crimson's gaze again. His ruby eyes glittered with hope. They silently seemed to say, "I love you—and good luck."
Sixteen
Crimson
"Ready... GO!"Gaius called out.
As the shifted omegas ran in all directions, my gaze was glued on Taylor. His tiger form was breathtaking. The sinuous lines of his body, his powerful yet sleek muscles, that striking black and orange coat... I couldn't take my eyes off him.
Although I’d had no input in the challenge, I silently thanked Aurum—and I guess Viol—for setting it up this way. Seeking out a wild boar in a dense forest was perfectly suited to Taylor. There was no way he'd lose.
Right?
A nagging worm of doubt entered my mind. Maybe I'd gone too far by promising a date to whoever won first. In the moment, I didn't know what else to do. He clocked my favoritism and called it out in front of everybody. I couldn't even deny it. Taylorwasmy fated mate.
But we still had a show to run. Taylor and I would be together no matter what after it ended, but what about my brothers? If there was no suspense or tension in the Dragonfate Games, would it continue to have an audience? Would contestants apply for the next season?
"What's on your mind, brother?" Gaius asked.
We stood together on the top of the jutting boulder. All the omegas had scattered into the undergrowth, and the camera crew followed them, so we were alone.
I sighed. "Did I make a mistake with that guaranteed date?"
"Not at all. It really raised the stakes." Gaius tilted his head. "But you seem to regret it."
"It's not that I regret it," I mumbled. "I just want a specific person to win. And if he doesn't..."
