“Yes!” I almost shout and I feel more than hear a low rumble behind me. I look over my shoulder with a scowl, I don’t know who it was, but this pissing match is stupid. “That would be great, we can set up in the media room.” I smile at her and start for the stairs.
“I’ll send Xander up when I send food up. That should give you plenty of time to shower and change. That will give the boys time to put their protective cavemen away as well.”
“Mom!”
“What Dakota?” Damn she used his whole name. ”
You five have been acting crazy, she is not a tree for you to pee on every time another male your age comes around. Save that for your mate,
Goddess help her.” And with that she went around the stairs, presumably to the kitchen to get us food ready.
I just laugh and head up the stairs not waiting for the guys who seem to be a little dumbstruck at what she said. Sierra followed me and we laughed
all the way to my room.
“You really did kick ass today girl. You should have seen how fast some of the other contenders went down. I get what Warrior Nickolas was talking
about though. People want the best or want to be the best, but most of them haven’t put in the work and it’s a joke.” Sierra says as I come out of the
bathroom, having showered in record time. I was afraid I would fall asleep if I stayed under the warm stream too long.
“You’ll have to tell me more from the stands, it was so crazy on the field, I didn’t always know what was going on, and they just tapped us to point out
our new target.” I told her my version of the whole training and she filled in the gaps from her vantage point from the stands as I got dressed and we
settled on my bed.
“T can’t believe it went on for five hours. I have trained that long before, but this was different. I had to rely on others I’ve never met before and just
had to trust that we were all on the same page, without any kind of introduction or anything. This was all business, and I think! really like it. I liked the
rush of adrenaline I got when the horn blew and all hell broke loose.” Sierra just laughed at me when I confessed my feelings.
“Of course, you enjoyed that. You got to finally be completely you, no holding back.”
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“You ladies decent? I’m coming in either way, just to warn you.” As my door flies open and Sam walks in flopping on my bed, then rolling to his side
propping his head in one of his hands. “So, what are we gossiping about? It’s me, right? Tell me it’s me, even if it’s not.” We both burst out laughing.
“All jokes aside, your fan club is here and we need a mediator. I don’t know what you did, but territorial doesn’t even begin to describe the vibe.” I
laugh again letting him pull me to my feet and lead us to the media room.
The ‘U’ shaped couch has been moved and adjusted to line the two side walls with a large table set in the middle with a spread made for the King.
“It is official, you are her favorite.” Mateo laughs at me. “I don’t think we exist anymore.”
“Stop, this is not all for me, this is for all of us.” I plop into the middle of the far couch and start digging in. I am too hungry to wait for anyone.
“Umm, no. Had we done double what you did today, she would have sent a plate of sandwiches and water and called it a night if we couldn’t be
bothered to come down to the kitchen and eat with everyone.”
Dakota laughs from the bar where he Is standing with Xander, who’s looking awkward.
“Xander, come sit by me, you have to tell me what you thought of the trials today and give me any inside tips for tomorrow.” I looked over at him and
caught Sierra’s eye, she winked at me knowing what I was doing.
