This time, Jade didn’t let me down. He returned my gaze with a reassuring smile that melted my worries away. Whatever was going on between us, it was warm and tangible.
I felt an unusual joy gather in my belly. I was used to disappointment. Having my hopes confirmed and uplifted was... different. It feltgood.
Gaius’s voice cut into my thoughts. “As you can see, we’ve set up a miniature library. Your second challenge is to scour the shelves for Jade’s favorite book!”
Contestants murmured among themselves. I felt a stab of paranoid envy. Didtheyknow Jade’s favorite book? I had to admit, I had no clue. I cursed myself for not knowing such obvious information.
“Favorite book?” Poppy asked under his breath. “Oh, I don’t know. He loves all books, doesn’t he?”
“He does,” I agreed, recalling the walls of books in his office. At the time, I’d been too busy being annoyed at him to examine his shelves. Dammit, why hadn’t I just asked him earlier? Jade always focused onmywants and needs. I should’ve made an effort to learn more abouthim.
I scanned the other omegas’ faces for any signs of hope or recognition, but thankfully found none. They were clueless. That meant I had a chance at victory.
The idea of Jade choosing another contestant as the winner crossed my mind. The hairs on the back of my neck spiked like knives.
That wasn’t going to happen. I wouldn’t let it.
“You’ll all be allowed into the library at the same time,” Gaius went on. “Once you’ve picked the book you think is Jade’s favorite, come find us to verify your answer. But be careful—you only getonechance! If you guess incorrectly, you’re out of luck.”
My stomach flipped with unease. What if I chose wrong?
I bit my lip as I gazed upon the seemingly endless rows of books. There were so many options—what if a different omega chose the right book by sheer dumb luck?
“Alaric?” Poppy asked.
“Hm? What is it?”
He glanced worriedly at the balled fists at my sides. “Your claws are out. Are you okay?”
As he mentioned it, I felt the sharp sting of my own claws digging into my skin. I forced myself to relax.
“I’m fine,” I said through half-shifted cat fangs.
Nobody would beat me. I’d win, no matter what.
“All right, contestants,” Gaius said. He raised a hand, then sliced it down. “Go!”
Unlike everyone else, I resisted the urge to run. It was undignified. Besides, the books weren’t going anywhere. Though a nagging voice in the back of my head reminded me that Ihadto win. That put an extra pep in my step.
I passed Jade on the way to the library set. An electric shock jolted through me as he caught my eye. My heart cartwheeled. It couldn’t be my imagination—his expression said he wanted me to win, too.
The contestants’ excited clamoring died down as the real work began. The smell of books permeated the temporary set, but with the salty air surrounding us, it wasn’t quite the sameas a real library. I wondered how Jade felt about the humidity possibly affecting the books. He was stingy and protective of his collection, so I doubted any of these books actually belonged to him. His brothers must’ve scrounged elsewhere for these.
Poppy floated over to me and whispered, “Oh, I don’t know what to do... There’s so many books.”
“Just stand there and look cute,” I whispered back.
He nodded anxiously. “Okay.” Then he gasped. “You think I’m cute?”
“Of course you’re cute. You’re a living cotton ball shaped like a person.”
Poppy smiled shyly, then returned to perusing the shelves alongside me.
I uttered a string of silent curses as my eyes scanned the book spines. How in the name of everything holy was I supposed to know Jade’s favorite among all these possible options? What if the answer was a ridiculous trick question, like they wereallhis favorite? If that was the correct answer, I was going to scream.
As the seconds trudged by, my heart ticked faster. Every moment that went by was a moment someone else could win the challenge—and therefore, win a date with Jade.
MyJade.
