One of them slowly looks around the room. He nods to the rest of the men and shouts another command in a foreigntongue. They move in unison, spinning the staffs in their hands and striking them on the ground, creating yet another pattern of rhythmic beats between the staffs and their boots. I’m in awe at their graceful movements in this synchronized march. They form two lines, facing each other. Holding their staffs in front of them, they create a crisscross barrier in front of the main entrance.
We all stand, with slack jaws, marveling at the display. Jeremy turns up his nose and gives Justin his side-eye. I cock my head to the side and smell the air, sensing a tiny hint of bear. I study the lines of men. One smiles when he notices me looking at him. I recognize him. He’s a guard for someone I once went to school with.
I want to laugh and groan at the same time. I keep myself in check as I remember the cameras are still on me. A silhouette of a man over seven feet tall approaches the atrium, shoulders so broad they nearly engulf the double door frame.
Holden announces, “Young Alpha Prince Mikhail Fedorov, Russia Territory, Kamchatka Pack.” Mikhail, or Miki as I use to call him when we attended the academy together, steps through the doors. The guards pull back their staffs as he walks their line. His dark brown hair reflects the bright lights set up for the cameras. His pronounced dark brows are raised, and a smile so wide and eager brightens on his face. He’s all lean muscle and very Alpha.
“Little wolf!” Miki exclaims, taking several long strides toward me with open arms. He has grown since I last saw him, and I crank my head back so I can see his face. Before I can respond, he crushes me into a bear hug. No pun intended.
“Miki, what the hell do they feed you in Russia? I swear you’re at least a foot taller since I last saw you.” My voice is muffled, crushed against his stomach.
His larger-than-life booming laugh echoes throughout the atrium. “Oh, my little wolf, I missed your sense of humor.”
I try to pinch his stomach, but I find only solid muscle. “Can’t breathe...” I feign a tap-out on his backside.
He releases his hold on me and drops to his knees so we’re at eye level. “Despite space and time, fate has brought us back together. This, my little wolf, is our destiny, and I will fight for you until the end.”
One of my brothers snorts.
I tilt my head down to look into his deep brown eyes. “Miki, you’re a bear.”
He frowns. “We cannot hold our genetics as a weapon against fate, my little wolf.”
I sigh. I forgot that he can be dramatic and hard-headed.
“Don’t fight it, little wolf. There’s a reason why we are here. You must see it for what it is.”
Sure. He probably got wind of this game and manipulated someone to let him in as one of the contestants. Fate had nothing to do with why he is here. With that thought, I’m reminded that this is all a game.
I put my game face back on and give him a winning smile. “Alright, Miki, but I am not making you any promises. You want to be here? You have to play by the rules.”
His smile widens, and pulling my hand to his lips, he whispers, “As you wish, my little wolf.” His eyes flick back up to mine, and he holds them with such intensity before his lips sensually graze the back of my hand.
I am so going to regret this.
Chapter 50
Conspiracy
JESSICA
Present Day
Joe, Anders, and I stand in front a large computer monitor in the medical suite. We stare at an X-ray image of my chest.
“Right here. See this line? It doesn’t belong there,” Sodie explains to Anders and Joe. Sodie moves to stand behind me, palpating my back near the border of my shoulder blade. “Joe, show me where you saw the blood.”
Joe moves around me and gently taps my back.
It’s obviously an implant. The Resistance got more creative. “Did you manage to give the device to someone to look at?” I ask Anders.
“I gave it to Squirrel.”
“Is there any pain when I push down?” Sodie inquires.
I sigh. “I haven’t felt any pain or burning in that area for several hours now.”
“Any more symptoms or lack of capabilities?”
