Maybe if I acted casual, he wouldn’t push the issue. I stood tall, like nothing was out of the ordinary. “Yes, it is.”
“It looks nice on you. Where did you get it?” Poppy asked.
The warmth of his compliment died when I had to come up with a fake answer. I couldn’t tell Poppy the truth. Not only would I have to confess to my crime, but I’d have to explain the Jade situation, and that wasnothappening.
“I’ve been wearing it the entire time,” I lied. “You just didn’t notice.”
Poppy looked embarrassed. “Oh, I’m sorry! I’m so clueless.”
Guilt swirled in my gut. I felt bad for lying to that poor, naive wolf. How did he survive for so long in this cruel world?
I sighed, crossing my arms as I scanned the crowd. “So, did you sneak a peek at the bachelor yet? Those goons are making it impossible to see.”
“Yes, I did,” Poppy said. “Actually, he wanted to know where you were.”
My heart skipped a beat.
The bachelor knew who I was? And he’d asked about me?
“Who is it?” I demanded, my blood racing.
“Jade.”
My heart skidded to a halt. I felt like I’d run face-first into a brick wall.
“What?” I snarled.
Poppy flinched, staring at me with wide eyes. “Um, is something wrong?”
I breathed out slowly. It took every ounce of willpower to restrain my claws from shifting out.
“Sorry, wolf. I didn’t mean to snap at you,” I mumbled. “Let’s just say I’m surprised.”
Poppy observed my face. “Are you... upset that it’s Jade?”
“No,” I said quickly. Too quickly. “I’m going to talk to him. Will you be okay by yourself?”
He nodded, still looking concerned for me.
I weaved into the crowd like a hot knife through butter. Nobody would stand in my path. I didn’t care how many clambering, desperate omegas I had to elbow out of the way. My cat’s instincts latched onto Jade’s scent, focusing on its trail. I smelled it clearly above the sweaty, unfamiliar bodies.
With a final push, I broke into a circle in which Jade stood at the center.
The Jade in front of me was a far cry from the latex-clad freak I’d met last night. It pissed me off to admit it, but even without the fetish gear, he took my breath away.
Like his clothing-obsessed brother Crimson, Jade wore a suit, except Jade wasn’t a snob about it. And in my opinion, he looked better in one. The dark green two-piece was form-fitting and flattering, exuding an aura of wealth, intelligence and prestige. He looked effortlessly perfect.
Ugh, what was I thinking? Jade wasnotperfect. He was the bastard currently ruining my life with his kinky blackmail collar.
But I wasn’t alone in the circle. Surrounding me were omegas clamoring for Jade’s attention.
Jealousy pricked my skin like thorns. The other contestants were nobodies. They were fools who’d watched the Dragonfate Games and cooked up hopes of finding their fated mate among the dragons.
Which was patently different than whatIwas doing.
Jade fielded annoying questions from wannabe mates. Voices all spoke at once. Standing around looking beautiful wasn’t going to work with this much white noise. I had to get my foot in the door somehow.
“Jade,” I called.
