Chapter 75 Hunter's Speech
Amara
Nico immediately took off the white coat and tie and threw it in the big dustbin which was just by the entrance door.
I stared at him with a blank face as my mind raced with specific thoughts.
Apparently, we both got our clothes from our mates. The fact that I got my dress from Killian is the only thing that makes sense at this point because there really isn't anyone else who would do this.
Both Nico's and mine dresses were limited edition ones which made many people whisper. I could feel the attention of us but nobody approached us to ask. Nobody except Tina.
"Everyone's talking about your dress." She had a wine glass in her hands, "Your sister must be rich."
I looked at her awkwardly, then nodded.
"Hmm," She seemed impressed, "Nice," I don't lie, so this feels so awkward for me...
Killian and Asher seem to be making sure that we don't forget about them. I thought we'd never be meeting again but here we are... Does this mean both of them are still pursuing us?
Why? I clearly told Killian it wasn't possible...
Nico came back to me with a puffed face, "The moment I get my hands on him, I'm going to kill him." Tina raised her brow at him but didn't say anything and turned her face towards the stage.
I giggled at his words, then looked at the stage where a man, in his late fifties, went and stood with a mike.
'What's happening?' I asked Nico which also caught Tina's attention.
"He's going to make a speech about the significance of the festival, then call the hunters on stage and they'll talk about stuff."
'What stuff?' I looked at him, 'Is it necessary?'
"That's just how things work here." I kept my eyes on the stage as Nico spoke, "The Hunter's Fest opening party has one small event of importance, it's where the hunters announce who they'll give their hunts to."
'Like they say their name?' The man on stage was making his speech but I was more focused on what Nico was saying since the old man's speech was boring.
"Usually the trend is to say what you feel about the person and let the people guess. It gets revealed when the hunters bring their trophies and give them to the person they want to impress the most."
'It could be anyone?'
"Not anyone, usually it's family or spouse or a lover."
OH!
"How's the winner of the festival decided?" Tina asked.
"The types of animals that are hunted have points. The one who gathers the most points in four days wins."
"Oh~" Tine and I both nodded.
Just as Nico explained how things are done, I saw Killian make his way to the stage. Both Nico and I shared a glance, then looked back at the stage again where Killian took the mike from the middle-aged man and smiled.
"I've been coming here to hunt every year for the past eight years and I've always given my hunts to my mother but this year is different." His eyes glowed for a split second, "I've found a girl." There was a soft hooting in the crowd while my heart skipped a beat.
Is he talking about me?
"I never thought I'd fall for someone and I never thought that nature would pave that way for me." He had a bright smile on his face as he scanned the crowd. He looked confident but his words invited whispers of concern and curiosity from the crowd but it didn't bother him, "I will present my hunts to the woman I want to court."
His eyes landed on me and my cheeks flushed while there were cheers and why's from the crowd.
He was!! My heart began to pound! He was talking about me. OH MY GOD!!!
Killian told me he wanted to be with me... I knew that wasn't possible, yet he seems insistent. Insistent enough that he even announced it in public. Well, not like he named me, but if he hunts and presents them to me, everyone will find out!!
The crowd was busy looking around, trying to find out who the girl he wanted but they couldn't find their answer.
I pursed my lips and looked away.
OH, GOD! What is even happening? Why would he say that publicly!!???
I felt weird...
But, maybe now that we're here, amongst the center of the elite class, Killian will see that he can't be with me. No, when everyone talks and whispers, he'll move away from me on his own.
>>Nico
We watched Killian come down from the stage just as Asher was making his way up. They transferred the mike as they crossed paths and Killian whispered something in Asher's ear.
I didn't have to wait to see what Asher was going to do after what Killian had done. I was sure he was going to pull a similar stunt. I glanced at Amara, she was fidgety with her skin blushing.
Omegas like us are bound to be fazed by our fated pairs. We crave that attention after all. And although neither of us wanted this, I'm sure Amara is secretly happy that Killian is putting the effort to be with her. And maybe I would be too, if it wasn't for what I am and what my family wants.
Even if Asher wants to give his hunts to me, I can simply avoid him or not go to the hunt and things can be solved... I just need to finish my assignment, I'll manage it somehow...
"It's a bit funny," Asher started and I looked at him, "Killian and I both have found wolves we want to be with but I feel like the person I like is too difficult." The crowd laughed at him, "He pays me no attention and although I can feel that his wolf loves me, he denies it."
My eyes went wide at his words while the crowd whispered.
"He?"
"Asher likes a man?"
"Why would he choose a man?"
"That's right," Asher confirmed, "It's a cute guy, an artist at that."
My heart began to pound as an ominous feeling began to surround me.
Oh God! Oh Shit! Why would he tell that to everyone!?!? Isn't that giving it away! NO! NO! NO!
I shot my head around and my eyes landed on my big brother. He was in the crowd on the left by the pillar and the moment I saw him, my heart stopped. He was looking at me with suspicious eyes while Mom and Dad stood beside him with their backs to me.
Oh no...
I turned my face away again in fear.
Calm down!
It's not like Asher named me. No one would assume it's me just because I'm an omega. Besides, no one even knows that I'm an omega. And besides, people believe male omegas don't even exist!
I started sweating, I felt the back of my neck as well as my palms get wet and I felt my body get colder.
Shit! Seeing my brother made me feel worse, I might not have gotten this nervous if our eyes didn't meet. I was very near hyperventilating, drowning in a sea of anxiety and overwhelming emotions. It felt like the weight of the world was crashing down on me, and I struggled to regain control.
That's when I felt a warm pair of hands come and take my hands in hers.
I looked at Amara who looked back at me with worried eyes. She nodded at me and then pulled me into a hug. My heart is still racing from the overwhelming panic. But gradually, as she held me close, her presence and warmth began to soothe my racing mind. It was as if her embrace formed a protective shield around me, creating a safe space where I could let go of my fear and vulnerability
And, I hugged her back.
We were both at a disadvantage. But I knew this was worse for me than for Amara since I had my family to fear while she only feared about ending up like her mother.
It was two very similar yet at the same time very different situations.
Amara tugged at my hands and I looked into her eyes.
"Are you alright?" Tina asked, "You look pale."
"I'm fine," I tried to steady my breathing, "Amara," I looked back at my best friend. I know she wanted to enjoy the party and I was the only person who could properly accompany her but I was feeling like if I stayed here any longer, I would hyperventilate, "Can we go back?"
Amara being the good friend she is immediately nodded at me.
"It's you," My brother, Romano, pushed me against the wall, "That guy Asher was talking about."
I glared back at him, "No," I lied to his face.
"Don't lie to me," Romano had called me out of my room just after Amara had left after dropping me off.
"Why would I need to lie to you?" I put on a poker face
"Because I doubt he would ever like a man." He glared at me with a disgusting look, "He gave it away when he said it was an artist, a 'cute' artist." He scoffed at me while my legs trembled, "It's in the nature of Alpha werewolves to want and reproduce so he wouldn't just go and choose a guy." He leaned his face in while we both stood at a secluded spot in the dead-end of the hotel's corridor, "Unless it's you, who looks nothing like a guy." His eyes were dark, full of doubt he held for me, "Does he know you're an omega?" I shrunk as I pulled my face away from him, "Hmm?" He was scaring me, "Does he know that you have that thing between your legs?"