18. Alaric

18

Alaric

As the fifth season of the Dragonfate Games drew to a close, a novel sense of accomplishment permeated my being. It was unfamiliar, yet comfortable. My victory was hard-won, and in my opinion, well fucking deserved. Time after time, I'd ended the experience empty-handed... and with an empty heart.

Not anymore. Jade filled the dark spaces within me. He was the wonderful green-haired pervert in shining armor I'd wanted all my life.

I admit to sucking up the attention like a sponge during the closing ceremonies, as well as the subsequent congratulations. After all, it was well within my right. I deserved the glorious fanfare after ‘failing' to win the Games four times in a row. The only other contestant to share my experience was Poppy. Now he was the only omega who'd competed in every season and still remained mateless.

Maybe I was projecting my own jealousy onto my canine friend, but it didn't seem fair. He was sweet and gentle-hearted. If anyone deserved a doting alpha, it was him.

I pulled him aside after the Games officially ended. Soon, he'd leave the picturesque island and return home to human society. Alone.

Poppy's eyes lit up as I approached him. "Alaric! I'm so happy for you and Jade. You make a beautiful couple."

I smiled at his praise, although a bit guiltily. We were no longer partners in loneliness. I knew Poppy had his material needs met—food, a roof over his head, and a nice chunk of change—but it didn't feel right.

"Thank you," I said, then frowned. "Are you... okay like this?"

He tilted his head. White hair fell in front of his eyes. "What do you mean?"

I felt awkward having this conversation with him. I almost wanted Poppy to ask—no, demand— to stay. He was no stranger to anyone except the dragons who had yet to meet him face-to-face. He shouldn't have to leave.

As my frustrated silence went on, it dawned on Poppy why I was hesitating. His expression turned resolute. With finality, he said, "I'm not staying here, Alaric."

"Why?" I blurted. "For gods' sake, don't be so selfless all the time! All your friends live on the island, everyone likes you, and there's tons of space. I'm sure you could stay in a little room in the castle—"

Poppy suddenly grasped my hand with unexpected firmness. I was stunned into silence.

"I... I won't sit in a corner like someone's forgotten pet," Poppy muttered.

His unwavering tone took me off guard. It was the most serious thing I'd ever heard him say. I stared at him, not knowing how to respond.

"I know you're just trying to help," he said softly, glancing at the ground. "But I don't want anyone's pity. I... want to find my mate by myself." His eyes flashed. They were the bright, steadfast eyes of a wolf. "I will find him."

I blinked slowly. It never even occurred to me that I was treating Poppy like a pitiful abandoned dog. Feeling sheepish, I said, "I'm sorry. I hadn't thought about it that way."

Poppy took a shaky breath, as if speaking up had taken a lot of effort. Then he threw himself at me in an abrupt hug. "No, I'm sorry. I don't want to sound ungrateful when you're being so kind."

I snorted as I patted his back. "You're fine, wolf. Actually, I'm thrilled you told me off just now. You should do that more often."

Poppy replied with a weak laugh. "I'll try."

"Did you have a nice chat with Poppy?" Jade asked as we returned to our bedroom in the castle—to our home.

"Yes, I did, although he rightly chewed me out," I replied.

Jade sounded surprised. "Poppy? The little white wolf? He chewed you out?"

"Yes. It was vicious," I said dryly. "He stood his ground and refused when I suggested he stay here on the island. He said he didn't want to be treated like a pet."

Jade nodded. "I can understand that. How would you have reacted if someone said that to you?"

I scoffed. "I would've taken the damn offer to live in luxury."

Jade arched a brow pointedly, waiting for the truth.

"Okay, fine, I get his point. I would've been pissed off, too," I admitted. "The only thing worse than going home alone each season is being pitied by someone who has exactly what you want."

Jade flashed a wry smile, as if he knew that struggle all too well. "Poppy will be fine. I have no doubt he's someone's fated mate, whoever that is." With a teasing wink, he added, "In fact, I might've fallen for him if I didn't think he'd crumple at the sight of a spanking paddle."

I glared at him. "Don't you dare hurt Poppy, you BDSM freak."

Jade laughed airily. "I'm just joking, kitten." He pulled me closer by the collar and murmured, "You know you're the only one I'd ever threaten with a good time."

"That's right," I said with a proud huff. "Now, what's all this about a spanking paddle?"

Jade's eyes sparkled with excitement. However, the electric atmosphere was put on hold when a heavy knock sounded on our door. When Jade answered it, Viol stood on the other side with a grumpy expression.

"Can we help you?" Jade asked pleasantly.

Viol grimaced like he was about to get a root canal. "Can I talk to Alaric?"

I joined Jade, saving him the trouble of being the middleman. "What's on your mind?" I asked.

Viol towered over me. He stared down, unblinking. His black leather outfit seemed to suck the light out of the room. But somehow, he was less intimidating up close. Or maybe it was the fact that he couldn't spit out whatever it was he wanted to say.

"Can we talk alone?" Viol asked gruffly, shooting Jade a sidelong glance. "Privately?"

"Sure," I said. "Jade, do you mind brewing us some tea?"

Jade didn't look concerned, but he gave me a patient smile as he passed Viol. "Of course. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Seconds passed in awkward silence. Then Viol shut the door behind him. I raised a brow, but didn't comment.

Another minute passed. We stared at each other without smiling. Viol's nostrils twitched as he took a ragged breath. His confidence seemed to waver. I almost expected him to bolt.

"Do you still love Jade?" Viol barked.

I furrowed my brows, offended. "What are you talking about?"

"Ugh. I don't mean it like that. I know you still like him," he grumbled. "I meant, how can you still love him after he went feral?"

Where did this come from all of a sudden?

I shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal to me."

"He almost hurt people he loved," Viol muttered.

"But he didn't."

"Because I was there to stop him," Viol snapped, getting heated.

I crossed my arms. "Nobody was injured, and Jade is fine. So, what's your point?"

"What if he lost all control? What if, in his rampage, he hurt you by accident?" He flinched as if in pain. "What if he hurt your baby?"

I wasn't surprised that he assumed I was already pregnant, or about to be. It wasn't exactly rare for omegas on the Dragonfate Games to end the season with a baby on the way.

At first, his outburst pissed me off. But the undertone of pain in his gruff voice was hard to miss. Then I realized this wasn't about Jade at all.

"My mate would never do that," I said calmly. "And you know what? I don't think you would, either."

Viol's eyes widened before narrowing to dark slits. "Don't say shit like that. You don't even know me."

Dear gods. And I thought I was dramatic.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed Viol's hand and put it on my belly. He inhaled a sharp breath and held it like he'd die if he let go.

For a second I thought he'd yank out of my grip and run. He looked like he wanted to. But he quelled whatever urge compelled him to escape and held his palm steady against my stomach.

"Would you ever hurt me, or this baby?" I asked.

"I would rather die," Viol growled. I knew he meant every word of it.

"Then why do you assume you'd hurt your own?"

He finally released his breath. "Never mind. It was stupid to ask."

"For what it's worth, Viol," I said, "I'm glad you'll be in my child's life."

Viol blushed, then looked away with a grunt. It seemed impossible for him to take a compliment.

"Thanks," he muttered. Then he paused, screwing up his nose. Almost imperceptibly, he leaned closer to me, sniffing the air. What the hell was he doing?

I cleared my throat. "If you're flirting with me, then I should warn you I'm not into threesomes."

Viol frantically withdrew his hand and pulled away. "Who the fuck said anything about that?" he complained. "Ugh, whatever. See you later."

He trudged down the hall, clearly in a hurry to leave. Jade reappeared just in time to hear a door slam somewhere in the distance.

"Oh, my. What was that about?" he asked.

I took a cup of steaming tea from the tray in his hands. "Just Viol wallowing in his own angst."

Jade chuckled, setting the tray down. "I suppose it runs in the family, to varying degrees. Did you have a nice chat?"

"I'm not sure what constitutes a nice chat with him," I admitted. "But I hope it made him feel better."