We stop at a candle stand, an art gallery booth called Art’s Art, Old Dusty’s Antiques, and so many more that I can’t keep track of them all. It’s slow going because we buy at least one thing from every stall, and my alphas take turns running our bags back to the SUVs.
After a few hours of shopping, we break for lunch, covering a picnic table with our feast. The band plays in the background, and I end the meal with the chocolate funnel cake I’ve been craving.
Chapter 47
Hestia
I’m quiet as the crowd cheers.
I clap along with everyone else, but I’m afraid if I open my mouth I’ll yellfuck me, and that would certainly blow our cover.
Another axe thunks into the target, and the crowd goes wild again.
Thank goodness I remembered to use descenter before we left the station. I’m out of the habit after foregoing it for days, but remembered at the last minute that I need to hide their scents on me.
If I hadn’t used the descenter, everyone would know how wet I am now from watching Magnus throw axes and obliterate the wooden targets.
He’s now the highest-ranked participant, unsurprising since he hits the bullseye every time. He only has a few more axes left to throw, and I’m sure he’ll nail those too.
Before he started, Magnus took off his coat so it wouldn’t restrict his movements. That means his tight little sweater leaves little to the imagination as his large muscles bulge and strain and dance with each throw.
Come to think of it, is that why the crowd is going crazy?
I glare at the people around us, eyeing them suspiciously to see if they’re ogling my alpha, or if they’re simply admiring his throws.
I zero in on a few who seem to be looking at him with lustful eyes. And here I am, having finished my drink, so I can’t even dump coffee on them for trying to take my mate.
I almost miss Magnus’s next throw, but turn back just in time to watch him finish up and earn the top spot on the leaderboard.
I clap along with everyone else, biting my lip so I don’t cheer,that’s my alpha.
Magnus looks into the crowd and smiles when we lock eyes. I grin back at him.
The game attendant moves him to the next portion of the competition where they’ll have him chopping wood.
The crowd shifts in that direction too, and we pass near a group of young women.
“He’s so hot!” one says.
“I know! That was better than watching a hockey game,” her friend replies to a chorus of giggles.
My blood boils, and I whip my head around, planning how to strike.
Cato bumps into them, distracting the women from their conversation and pushing them away from us.
I take a deep breath, deciding to be the bigger person and ignore them. There’s no way Magnus would leave me anyway. I just wish I could tell them to keep my alpha out of their thoughts.
Someday I’ll be able to ward off people without gettingfired.
I smile at Cato gratefully. He grins and hustles us over to get a front-row spot.
Magnus looks just as hot chopping wood. Those little logs never stood a chance with the way he’s smashing through them. His sleeves are rolled up now, veiny forearms prominently displayed. I’m so glad Cato got us good seats.
The judge is timing to see how much wood Magnus can chop in five minutes. They had to send up a second person to load logs for him because he’s so fast that just one loader couldn’t keep up.
I miss them calling out the final total, all I can focus on is Magnus’s heaving chest. I’m going to make him look like that later.
Based on the roar of the crowd, it’s another record.
