Okay, there’s definitely some fuckery going on here,I thought.I’m getting to the bottom of this.
“Not that Iwantyou to put clothes on,” I began, standing up from the couch, “but I don’t think the producers will let you be totally naked all the time.”
Rorik stood. It felt like time slowed down as he reached his full height. Finally, he glanced down at me, ready to follow where I led.
Holy Drake, he’s a huge omega,I thought in awe.He must be at least 6’4”.
I scratched my head. “Well, none of my clothes will fit you,” I mumbled, disappointed that I couldn’t drape him in my scent. “But I know someone who can spare to lend you some.”
Rorik followed me to Cobalt’s room, standing patiently behind me while I knocked on my eldest brother’s door. As we waited, I asked, “Why do you always do that?”
“Do what?” Rorik replied.
“Stand behind me.” Before he could answer, I took a step back so we were side by side. “See? Isn’t that better?”
Rorik’s eyes widened. He rolled his shoulders awkwardly and avoided my gaze. “It doesn’t feel right.”
“Why?” I asked, baffled.
“I’m an omega. I rank beneath you. I should not stand at your side,” Rorik said quietly.
I gawked at him.
What the hell did he just say?
Just as my jaw dropped in utter shock, Cobalt opened the door.
“Good evening, Saffron,” Cobalt said, his deep voice shattering the silence. He paused, then asked, “Why is there a large naked man in the hallway?”
My head still reeled from Rorik’s confession, but I had other shit to deal with. I shook my head to dispel the horrible revelation.
“Uh, right,” I said. “Cobalt, this is Rorik, one of the omega contestants. Rorik, this is my eldest brother, Cobalt.”
Cobalt’s brows rose a fraction of an inch. Understanding settled over his face. He could be oblivious sometimes, but even he realized why I’d brought a stranger home. There was only ever one reason a bachelor sneaked a contestant into the castle—to explore a budding relationship.
“I see,” Cobalt said, nodding in greeting. He was tall enough to be at eye level with Rorik. “Nice to meet you.”
Cobalt extended a hand. Rorik didn’t shake it. He stared, unsure of what to do.
Oh, sweet Holy Drake,I thought, incredulous.Rorik is way more messed up than I thought.
A protective instinct flared within me. Although this man was as tall as a skyscraper and more than double my weight, I felt the fierce urge to protect him from the world.
“Cobalt wants to shake your hand,” I explained to Rorik. “Like this.” I demonstrated. “Now you try it.”
Rorik hesitated. He shot Cobalt an unsure glance, as if afraid the bigger alpha would lash out at him. “Are you sure?”
“Trust me, Rorik,” I said with a smile.
His dark eyes flashed. There it was again—that fierce, feral intensity that sent shivers across my skin.
Then Rorik slowly faced Cobalt and shook his outstretched hand. Rorik was so big that their hands were rivals in size. He was easily the largest omega I’d ever met.
After shaking with Cobalt, Rorik quickly withdrew his hand. He still looked nervous. I didn’t understand why. Cobalt usually had a calming effect on people, not the opposite.
“Rorik didn’t pack any clothes, and none of mine will fit him,” I explained, wanting to smooth out the awkward silence. “Can we borrow some of yours?”
“Sure,” Cobalt said. “Wait here. I’ll try to find clothes without jackal hair on them.”
