I expected being called my brother’s name to feel strange, but it wasn’t. Good thing Jade couldn’t hear my internal thoughts, otherwise he might try to psychoanalyze me or dissect my brain.
Alaric cleared his throat to summon my attention. “Enjoying your season so far?” he asked, batting white eyelashes.
Holy Drake, I had to get this cat off my tail ASAP. Good thing I knew just the thing to make him lose interest.
“It’s been great! In fact, I sense my fated mate here already,” I said sagely.
Alaric stood ramrod straight. “You do?”
I pointed my thumb randomly behind me. “Yeah, I feel him somewhere over there.”
The excitement died in Alaric’s eyes. His face fell, then he scowled. “Him?”
I didn’t even know where I pointed, so I turned and followed my unseen trajectory.
Turns out there was a little dude standing directly behind me—and I’d pointed straight at him.
He was a short, chubby omega with tawny hair and big dark eyes. A pair of nerdy round glasses perched on his nose.
Wait a second. I recognized him. He was the guy who fell flat on his ass during the opening ceremonies. The one who held eye contact with me and didn’t break away. The one I’d glared at because he was kinda cute and I didn’t understand why.
He gawked. “Um, hi. Sorry. I just wanted to grab a soda...”
A tall, thin omega nearby overheard our conversation. He glanced at the chubby omega and guffawed. “Like you need one.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I snapped.
Everyone in the nearby vicinity went silent. Including me.
Whoa. Where didthatcome from? I didn’t even know this omega. Sure, I had morals and values and all, but I’d defended him like a dog with a bone. What the hell happened?
Before I could comprehend it, another stream of angry words spewed out of my mouth like fire: “Get off my island. Now.”
The tall omega scoffed. “Are you serious?”
I didn’t even want to talk to this dipshit. I snapped my fingers, calling over the closest cameraman.
“Get security. I want this guy gone,” I ordered.
Other camera kobolds flowed in, capturing the whole scene on film. I didn’t care about that, or about the dude getting escorted away and kicked off the show. I turned my attention back to the chubby omega.
“Yo, you good?” I asked.
In the past five seconds, his face turned pale as a sheet. “Y-yes?”
“Good. Don’t let people talk to you like that,” I ordered.
“Uh... I’ll try not to.”
“What’s your name?”
Everyone stared at us. The chubby omega looked like he might faint.
“Mylo?” he whispered.
I barely heard him. I leaned in closer, turning my ear. “What’s that?”
“My name is Mylo?” he repeated, voice wavering.
