I stepped closer. Closer...
And then a pure-white cat fell out of the sky.
Alaric rocketed down from the branch he'd been perched on, sinking his claws into the boar's back. The boar immediately squealed in rage and crashed through the bushes. All the while, Alaric clung to its back like a furry white tick.
That stupid fleabag!I thought angrily.
Swallowing a hiss, I ran after them. Not only had Alaric ruined my chance at a clean kill, he was one step closer to victory. Finding the boar was half the challenge, one I doubted many of the remaining contestants could complete. Alaric had been smart about it.
But he wasn't about to steal my kill—ormy date.
I pushed my muscles, running at full speed behind the rampaging boar. It wasn't just my instincts as a tiger that urged me on. A hidden wellspring of emotion flared up within me, one I now recognized as my omega instincts. They yelled at me to get that damned boar before another omega dared lay a finger on my alpha.
"Ha!" Alaric cried breathlessly from ahead. "I've got you now! I'll show you who—"
The boar squealed furiously. It took a sharp turn, then threw itself against a thick tree trunk to dislodge Alaric. I gasped as I heard his small bodythumploudly.
"Alaric!" I called.
Before I caught up, the boar sped chaotically away. Alaric hadn't responded to my cry, but his claws still clung to the boar's fur. I didn't know if he was ignoring me on purpose, or if the impact had winded him so badly he couldn't speak.
I sped up. Challenge or not, I didn't want Alaric to get hurt, especially for a prize he ultimately wouldn't win. It would literally be an injury on top of the insult.
The boar veered erratically. This time, I saw its plan. A big boulder loomed ahead.
My stomach lurched with fear. The boar meant to crush Alaric between its thick body and the massive rock.
I sped closer, keeping pace with the boar's haunch.
"Alaric, let go!" I shouted. "It's going to kill you!"
Alaric hissed softly, but he sounded dazed. "No... I won't lose to you!"
There was no time to explain. I had to act fast.
"I know you hate me," I said. "But what's more important? Your pride, or your life?"
Alaric's eyes flashed. He was defiant, but scared. I couldn't tell if the fear was about the incoming pain, or being rejected by Crimson. I guessed both.
There was no time to think. The boar squealed. Its muscles tensed, poised to crash against the boulder and dislodge Alaric permanently. He let out a resounding caterwaul of terror.
Just before Alaric was crushed, I lunged. I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and wrenched him off the boar's back. We tumbled off, landing in a ruffled pile of cat. The boar let out a final angry squeal, then disappeared into a dark cave ahead.
Alaric stared at me with wide eyes. His white pelt was spiked with fear. "Why did you do that?" he asked quietly.
I huffed, trying to catch my breath. "Just because you're annoying doesn't mean I want you to die."
He blinked, then aggressively licked a paw and drew it over his face to diffuse his embarrassment.
"Thanks, I guess," he mumbled.
Coming from Alaric, I'd take that as a win.
I stood up and shook out my fur. The cave the boar had disappeared into wasn't too far off. If I ran now, I'd catch it..
"Are you all right by yourself?" I asked.
Alaric made a sour face, which was a relief since he was clearly in decent enough shape to be cranky with me. He shakily got to his paws.
