Special Guest
Lilieth
When Cadence told me to be ready for today, I didn't think it was because there'd be an actual event with a crowd watching out every step.
And of course, there's not an Omega in sight among them.
That's not what shocks me the most, though.
It's the fact that Cadeon's here.
I catch a glimpse of him from afar and immediately avert my gaze. My heart starts slamming against my ribs relentlessly and without an ounce of mercy, and I hate myself all over again.
This shouldn't have happened. I'm supposed to ignore him and be over this whole thing.
But it seems my heart has a mind of its own.
Cadence approaches me, coming from out of nowhere. I'm glad she's here by my side. "Are you alright, Lilieth?"
"You could've given me a heads up," I proclaim. "I bet all the other females knew about this."
"I didn't want to fill you up with expectations or even fears before the big event. It's alright, they're just here to watch. And if it's any consolation, they're here to watch everyone."
"Who are they?"
"That's confidential."
Cadence is frustrating sometimes.
"Just do what you're supposed to do," she claims. "The first task is easy—bow and mark. Shoot three arrows with precision to certain parts of the body. The second task is gutting and deboning. You're skilled in that one, too. The third one is about starting a fire using dry kindling and a flint set."
I look over her shoulder at the modified courtyard. There are tables placed around and everything. What's this for? Why does it feel like a performance?
"Just do what you know," she says, placing a hand on my shoulder and staring at me intently with her hazel eyes. "It'll be fine. I have to go now. I'm part of the judging panel. When the whistle blows, join the line."
"Thanks, Cadence."
I watch her walk away and focus on her so I won't look at anyone else. But I've already seen him standing close to Petra several feet away. She's beaming, of course. Goddess, I despise her.
But I hate him more for putting me through this.
The whistle blows and I watch as everyone gathers around. I join the line of women, my gaze flickering to the spot where Petra and Cadeon are standing every so often. He touches her shoulder encouragingly as she moves close to the line and it's a punch to my gut.
I don't even know if I hid my grimace well.
Usually, I make sure to stand close to the end so I'm not flanked by any of the contestants. This time, I'm so distracted that I end up standing beside Rivonia, and I can't move anymore. The targets are pretty far, made of straw, and shaped like people. Before us is a wooden table with a single bow and a stack of arrows beside it.
"Caught that, did you?" Rivonia asks me in a voice barely above a whisper. "I saw your face, Omega, so don't even try to deny it. Now, you know the allegations are true. Petra will marry Alpha Cadeon. What do you have to say about that, hm?"
"Nothing," I say lightly. "I'm just glad that I'm not the only one keeping a close eye on them. Pain is easier to manage when it's shared, don't you think?"
The sound of disgust that leaves her lips doesn't escape my notice.
I'm in an awful mood. Genuinely. I didn't think I'd see him so soon. Well, it has been a few weeks, but this is still so unexpected. I guess this is the reason why Cadence didn't tell me a thing.
I look for her. The judging panel is comprised of her and Golen, and they're standing close to the watching crowd. I focus on not paying too much attention to any of them. The first name is called and the contestant is expected to shoot the arrows accurately. She fails. The line goes fast and before I know it, it's my turn, since I'm standing in the middle.
I'm aware of all the eyes on me and it makes me somewhat nervous, but that's for other reasons and not because I'm trying to impress people. In that category, I feel relatively calm. I pick up the bow, take a few deep breaths, and then just imagine that Golen is the person standing in front of me and not the straw man.
I hit his head, torso, and a limb of choice with no trouble at all. My performance is all thanks to Timmon. I wouldn't have been able to manage without him. I miss him. Where is he? Why don't I see him anymore?
We move to the next stage. Each of us is assigned a table and a small animal we have to skin and debone. I have a rabbit, and the sight of it, dead and limp, makes my stomach churn. I wait for the go-ahead and get to work. I don't allow my thoughts to wander—I just do what I have to do and when I'm finished, I raise my hand.
Cadence and Golen walk up to my table. She silently writes something down, and they return to their spots. We have to wait until everyone is done to move to the next stage. Even so, I don't look around.
I find it easy to ignore the crowd now that I've immersed myself in this task. I want to get everything done and over with so I can lock myself in my room and forget all of this ever happened.
Finally, we move on to the last stage: starting a fire. I'm not very good at this, as I missed quite a few lessons while engrossed in my thoughts. I stare at the pile of twigs in front of me with a bit of despair. I try to recall how to get it done while using the equipment I have, and it takes me about twenty minutes.
I come in last place this time around.
"The winner of this round is Petra Donshaw," Golen announces. Everyone applauds. My arms remain at my sides and I don't care who's watching—I won't applaud her. I can't seem to forget what she said about making my life hell. I wouldn't have minded it if she just targeted me, but my family?
I watch as Petra leaves the line of women and heads straight to where Cadeon is standing. I look away before she reaches him, turning my body to the side completely.
"Congratulations," Cadence says when she approaches me. She slaps my arm lightly with the notebook she was writing on.
"I lost."
"You would've come in first if you'd gotten that fire started ten minutes earlier than you did."
I shrug. I don't really care about any of this. I'm just doing the best I can.
What's the point, anyway?
"The first two skills are more important, though," she assures me. "You came first in those."
"That's great," I say dryly.
Cadence chuckles. "We have a special guest here today, and you know what? He didn't take his eyes off you for a minute. I think he was very much impressed by you."
At first, I think she's referring to Cadeon, but she jerks her chin in the direction of a man I've never seen before in my life.
And sure enough, his eyes are solely on me.