“I’m saying how you treat them matters. If you write off every omega because he’s not Aquila, you might end up alone.”
I wrinkled my nose at him. “You wrote off every omega who wasn’t Taylor, so I dunno why you think you’re qualified to lecture me.”
Crimson crossed his arms. “I mean, yes, I did, but—”
I went to put my headphones back on.
“Wait, Thystle,” Aurum interrupted. “You’re not even interested inanyof the hotties from season one?”
“I didn’t watch it,” I admitted.
He sputtered. “You didn’t?”
Crimson’s jaw dropped. “You didn’t even watch the show your brother starred in... I’m offended.”
I rolled my eyes at their melodrama. “Guys, it’s not the type of show I’m interested in, okay? And what’s the point? I’m gonna beonthe show, so why would I need to watch it?”
Aurum frowned. “Well, if you haven’t seen it, how’d you know your beloved Aquila hasn’t already been on it?”
I paused. I never watched the show, but I saw the contestants during the closing ceremony. Truth be told, I hadn’t paid close attention to their faces, and even if I had, it wouldn’t have mattered. The Aquila I knew and loved always wore a costume mask that covered his entire face except for his eyes. Besides, what the hell were the odds thatmyfated mate was a rejected omega on Crimson’s season of the Games? In any case, I was sick of my brothers interrogating me.
“He wasn’t there,” I stated, then reached for my headphones again.
Aurum snatched them from me. “Dude, are you serious? You are so stubborn sometimes.”
“Give me that!” I snarled.
As we wrestled for the headphones, Crimson sighed behind us. “I should’ve known my advice was pointless.”
I won the war. After reclaiming my precious headphones, I glared daggers at Aurum. He stood up and dusted the sand off his pants with a sour expression.
“You know, just for that, I hope Aquilaisn’ton season two,” Aurum spat.
My eyes widened. “Take that back.Take it back right now.”
“No.”
Rage fueled me. Throwing the headphones down, I leapt at my brother. We clawed at each other with our dragon talons out, both spitting with anger.
“Oh, for Holy Drake’s sake,” Crimson complained loudly. “Did we hire security on set?”
From the corner of my eye, I saw a big flash of yellow. Suddenly, a force barrelled into my side. I grunted as I landed a few feet away from Aurum. When I got up, I saw Saffron’s dragon form arched in front of Aurum, protecting him. My own brother bared his fangs at me.
When it was obvious the fight was over, the spikes along Saffron’s spine lowered.
“Are you okay?” he asked his twin.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Aurum said, shaking the sand off his clothes.
I frowned. Saffron didn’t askmeif I was okay.
A mix of anger and sadness welled up inside of me. Brotherly love was different than romantic love, but it was love all the same. And I didn’t feel that from anybody.
Feeling crabby and alone, I grabbed my CD player and stalked off. The staff were too busy to notice I’d left, and none of my brothers followed me. That filled me with smug defiance that I was right after all, but it also made me feel like crap.
I walked along the edge of the shore, glad to be away from the noise and commotion. The sound of the gentle waves relaxed me. Sort of. I couldn’t stop thinking about Aquila, and how nervous I was for his appearance on the show.
But doubt wormed its way through my brain. What if, after all the work I’d done, he didn’t enter the Games? Was I stupid for thinking he’d be here?
