“It’s not your fault, but I appreciate the sentiment,” Alaric said. “Cobalt isn’t my type, anyway. Too much of a big, quiet lug.”
“Yeah, he is,” I said fondly.
“Why are you here, anyway?” Alaric asked, folding his arms. “This is a consolation challenge. Shouldn’t you be at home with your man?”
A few nearby contestants turned to look at me. They must’ve been eavesdropping, wondering the same thing as Alaric.
“Oh, I’m not competing,” I explained. “I’m just here to cheer you guys on. Jade said that was allowed. Something about narratives and good TV.”
The contestants rolled their eyes and tuned out of the conversation. Guess I wasn’t making any new friends onthisseason.
Alaric snorted, but there was a hint of humor in it. “I dare say the only person you’re popular with is Cobalt.”
“Hey, what about you and Poppy?” I asked, pouting.
“You’re all right. For a dog,” Alaric conceded with a smirk.
I grinned back. “Jackal.”
“Yes, yes. Speaking of mildly irritating canines, whereisPoppy?” Alaric asked.
I didn’t see another head of white hair among the contestants. Usually he stayed close to me during the challenges. But since I’d already won Cobalt’s heart, he didn’t need to do that anymore.
“Emergency bathroom break?” I suggested.
Just as I piped up, a nearby group of rough voices spoke over me. They stood in a closed circle.
“Stay where you are. Yeah, right where we can see you,” one contestant spat.
I couldn’t see who they were talking to over the rest of the crowd. I exchanged a confused glance with Alaric. “What’s that about?” I asked.
He narrowed his odd-colored eyes. “Sounds like trouble,” he mumbled. He paused, sniffing the air. “Smell that?”
I followed his lead, then froze. Distinct fear scent muddied the air, mingled with another familiar scent that turned my blood to ice.
I rushed past the crowd and into the circle, using my small stature to squeeze past them.
“Hey!” somebody protested.
I sucked in a breath when I saw Poppy. He was hunched over, cowering in fear.
“Poppy!” I cried, rushing towards him. “What happened?”
He didn’t look injured, but his brown eyes were glassy with fright. He relaxed slightly when I put my arms around him.
“N-nothing,” Poppy murmured. “It’s okay.”
“You’re shaking like a leaf, Pops.”
He averted his gaze. “I always do that...”
I frowned, glancing at the circle of omegas surrounding him. “Are these guys bothering you?” I asked my friend.
“No,” Poppy lied.
I didn’t get mad often, but bullies pissed me off—especially ones who picked on people as soft as Poppy. My pack animal instincts flared in my chest. My teeth shifted into fangs that I bared at the bullies.
“I don’t know what you said to Poppy, but you’d better back off,” I warned.
