"It's a mother boar. Her piglets are in there," I explained.
Alaric's eyes widened. That was all I needed to say. He understood, nodding. Neither of us would hunt that boar today.
Was that the real challenge all along? I recalled what Crimson said when Alaric confronted him. He specifically mentioned not killing the boar...
Suddenly, a commotion rose around us. Alaric and I watched as other contestants spilled into the clearing in front of the cave, all breathing hard and clearly ready for a fight. The closest was a gray wolf omega whose name I didn't recall, since he kept his distance from me.
"Where is it?" he demanded. "I smell the pig! I know it's here."
My hackles rose, but I didn't move yet. "Nobody's attacking the boar."
A black bear shifter leapt in to join the gray wolf. "Don't try to hide it, tiger," he growled. "You're not the only predator around here who can track prey. Move aside!"
Beside me, Alaric hissed. The gray wolf and bear paused, then burst out laughing.
"Now the pet's on your side?" the bear taunted.
"Alaric is no one's pet," I snapped. "And neither of you are touching a hair on that boar's pelt."
Alaric glanced at me, shocked that I'd stood up for him. After all our spats, I was surprised, too. But I felt an odd kinship with my fellow feline after saving his life and witnessing him being vulnerable for once.
"Then get ready for a fight," the gray wolf growled. "We're sick of watching the Taylor and Crimson show!"
I sighed and stood up on all four paws. The sooner this TV show was over, the better. It made omegas lose their damned minds. I just wanted to be in love with Crimson openly.
Could I blame the other constants, though? They wanted love. And I hoped that they would find it. But it wasn't going to happen withmymate.
The gray wolf and black bear stalked closer, geared for a fight. I blocked the cave entrance. Nobody was getting past me.
Then an earth-shattering roar split the sky.
My gaze snapped up. A magnificent red dragon circled overhead, then dove towards us.
My heart skipped a beat.
Crimson was here.
Eighteen
Crimson
I zonedin on the cry, desperate to reach it. My blood raced in my veins.
If anything happened to Taylor...
I cursed the canopy of trees in the way, blocking my sight. I followed the sound until I reached a clearing in the leaves. Relief washed over me when I saw that glorious orange and black coat.
I folded my wings and plummeted towards the ground. A group of shifters had gathered in front of a cave as if facing off, but my sudden appearance scattered them. I was glad for that since I didn't want to squash anybody when I landed.
"What's going on?" I asked, my voice gravelly and thick in my dragon form.
In front of me were a gray wolf and a black bear. I swivelled my head around to see Taylor and that white cat, Alaric. To my surprise, they stood side by side in front of the cave's mouth.
My heart swelled to see my mate. Warmth swam in his amber eyes. He was happy to see me, too.
"Well?" I asked when nobody responded. "I heard a loud feline scream. Is everything all right?"
Taylor and Alaric exchanged a glance. For some reason, they looked friendlier than before.
