Rorik
Although I’d confessedmy past, and Saffron had confessed his love, the spectacle of the Games went on.
I arrived on time—at Saffron’s behest, since he’d muttered something about Jade tanning both our hides—and waited for the second challenge to start. Again.
I didn’t miss the way the other contestants gave me a wide berth. I winced inwardly. Rumors had spread. Since none of them were present at the scene, the situation was no doubt warped through a nasty game of telephone.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed a single figure willing to stand closer to me than the rest—Poppy. He didn’t look in my direction. He was already upset with me after our argument, but he must’ve heard about the incident. I wouldn’t blame him for thinking even less of me than before.
Instead of falling into despair, I steeled my nerves. I wouldn’t let our friendship fall apart. I’d do whatever it took to repair it.
But I was never the best with words, and while I struggled to piece together a greeting, Gaius swept across the same rock he did yesterday. His flashy grin betrayed no evidence of yesterday’s mishap.
“Good morning, omegas! Are you ready for the second challenge?” he announced, just as excited as before.
Gaius wasn’t alone. The twins stood behind him, wearing caps that obscured their hair color. I flinched at the sight of bandages wrapped around Aurum’s throat, but with a confused start, I realized Saffron wore them, too. Had he matched on purpose to obscure their identities? Or maybe it was a display of solidarity with his injured brother.
Either way, it didn’t matter. I didn’t need the differentiation. I could tell them apart with my eyes closed—as humansanddragons now.
Saffron met my gaze. His eyes were unexpectedly warm. I’d assumed he’d put emotional distance between us in public, but he didn’t seem to care. It was like a signal to the world: he loved me, and he wanted everybody to know.
My heart swelled with fondness.
As Gaius recycled his speech, he didn’t mention yesterday’s incident at all. I didn’t understand how TV worked, but I wondered if the people in charge had trashed all the footage and pretended it never happened. It was easy enough to cut it and keep Aurum—and his injuries—out of the show. Being in Jade’s presence certainly gave the impression that he was a powerful man who could do whatever he wanted. Thiswasthe dragons’ program, after all.
I exhaled a sigh of relief under my breath. I was anxious Gaius might drag up the incident in front of everybody, alienating me from the other omegas even further.
But I realized curiously that I didn’tfeellike an outsider anymore. Was it because Saffron loved me?
My heartbeat quickened. My warrior’s spirit ignited, but instead of being wielded for battle, it was for love. Iwouldprove myself.I’d win this challenge for Saffron’s sake. With no history weighing me down, and no obstacles in my path, I’d seize victory.
“Ready, contestants?” Gaius called. “And… begin!”
Wasting no time, I shifted into bear form and loped into the forest. I knew exactly where to go. I forgot about the heat, the humidity, and all the other contestants. This challenge was personal.
As I raced towards the site of yesterday’s incident, doubts edged my mind like blood swirling in icy water. I ignored them and forged ahead. I wouldn’t fall prey to a lack of faith anymore. Saffron’s love was a shield protecting me from my anxieties.
But as I ran, I felt the presence of a white shadow following me.
I slowed, calling out, “I know you’re there, Poppy.”
Poppy didn’t hesitate. He caught up with me easily in wolf form. His ears were pricked forward and his brown eyes were clear. A mixed aura of unease and conviction surrounded him like a fog.
“Hi, Rorik,” he said hesitantly.
I didn’t stop moving as I spoke. “You must’ve heard what happened.”
Poppy fell in step beside me. I didn’t know if he realized he was doing it, but he matched my pace exactly like in old training drills. It was so ingrained in both of us we did it automatically, and the familiarity made me chuckle.
“W-what’s funny?” Poppy asked, flattening his wolf ears.
“Look at our paws,” I pointed out.
Poppy watched our gaits moving in perfect tandem. Then he stopped abruptly, letting out a sound halfway between a laugh and a sigh.
“This is foolish,” he mumbled. “Why do I still…?”
I paused beside him. The earring wasn’t going anywhere, and I doubted the other contestants knew where it was hidden. We had plenty of time to talk. Despite that, we sat in silence for a while.
