“Aquila’s been AWOL for a decade. I don’t know if he even has an agent to reach out to,” I murmured.
But that didn’t stop the hopeful pitter-patter of my heart. If Aquila was on the show, I’d finally get my chance to be with him, like we were always meant to be. But to entice him, we’d have to get the word out. The Dragonfate Games had to be an attractive option.
I leapt out of my chair. “Gaius. Get Duke and the producers to go all out on advertising. Spread the application to as many omegas as possible. I want the island full of them.”
Crimson gawked. “You cannot be serious.”
“I’m dead serious, Crimson,” I stated, glaring at him.
Gaius didn’t share his friend’s distaste for crowds. He grinned, pleased at my sudden mood flip. “Yes, sir!”
Crimson was still stuck on my comment. “Why the change of heart?”
“This could be my chance to bring Aquila out of hiding,” I said.
Crimson sighed like I was being ridiculous and shook his head. “Thystle, I know you’re obsessed with Aquila, but be realistic. If nobody’s seen the guy in a decade, what makes you think he’ll apply to be on the Games?”
I bristled at my brother’s negativity. “Hehasto.”
“He doesn’t have to do anything,” Crimson pointed out. “Why don’t you focus on the omegas who alreadywantto be here? Don’t box yourself in. Who knows? You may fall in love with someone right in front of you.”
I frowned but didn’t argue with him. There was no point. Crimson never understood my love for Aquila, and he wasn’t about to start now.
Gaius, on the other hand, was thrilled at my enthusiasm. “Then it’s settled! Omegas galore! Omegas everywhere, taking over the island!”
Taylor raised a brow. “Maybe you shouldn’t phrase it that way.”
“Willing applicants thirsting for love!” Gaius corrected without missing a beat. His enthusiasm wasn’t quelled by anything. “I’ll go tell the producers. Ooh, this is so exciting! Our little Thystle’s growing up.”
“Why am I little? I’m a grown man,” I grumbled.
Gaius had already shifted and took wing. I felt hopeful knowing he’d do everything in his power to grant my wish. The bigger the pool of applicants, the better chance Aquila would be among them...
Right?
Three
Matteo
Why wasit so hard to find a decent plain white shirt in this city?
I sighed as I put the hanger back on the rack. The shirt I picked up looked promising before I noticed the tiny embroidered logo on the pocket. I didn’t want a logo, or a graphic, or even fancy stitching. I wanted an unobtrusive, simple white button-up. I wanted to blend into the background.
To be invisible.
That was my plan on the first season of the Dragonfate Games—and it worked. I was ordinary. I dressed simply. I acted polite, but not overly so. I didn’t want to broadcast anything special about myself. My reward was that nobody talked about my appearance on the show. I was never the topic of discussion on social media threads. I only lurked in those places, since I didn’t have any accounts. The fewer channels for people to contact me through, the better.
I was happy about that. Nothing good ever came of fame. Not for me, anyway.
I flipped through the hangers until I landed on the perfect shirt. White. Long-sleeved. As dull as watching paint dry.
Perfect.
I bought it in my size and left the store. That was the last item of clothing I needed for my trip. The rest I’d bring from my closet at home.
Any day now, I expected a call from Winnie, the secretary from Chromatimaeus Island. After the Dragonfate Games’ first season was over, the producers offered me a return ticket for season two. It was my choice whether or not to accept, but in the end, I took it without hesitation.
The first alpha dragon bachelor, Crimson, wasn’t my fated mate. I knew that the moment I met him. Unlike other contestants, like that cat shifter, Alaric, I never tried to force love. It would come for me when it did. I was happy for my friend Taylor rightfully winning the season—and Crimson’s love.
