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They were ready to watch the one-on-one shifter fights to determine our final winner. To find out who would be named the strongest, most capable shifter of the skills competition.
After barreling through circuits and throwing various heavy objects to prove my additional workouts had amounted to something, I was feeling good in the middle of an intermission.
I had spent some time perusing around the grounds to refuel on some fair food, and I wanted to take in my surroundings while I had the chance. Before my social battery would inevitably run out, and I’d rather be at home than there.
Even if I had been unsure about participating and needed Rowan’s encouragement to sign up, part of me was glad I decided to. The turnout was great, and it was nice to see what Rose Valley had to offer.
While I wanted to be completely relaxed and appreciative of the day, the one thing on my mind was being ready for my competition. My opposition, ironically, was Noah himself.
Again, I had the feeling Rowan had done some arranging on his side of things, and he was offering me the win I needed on a silver platter.
The win I hoped would impress Sara enough to realize she wanted to try things between us again.
There had been an undeniable spark between us, and even if things had seemed gloomy for a while, I hadn’t lost hope. I was determined to get her back, even if I had to put my dominance on display.
It wasn’t like me to care about that kind of thing, but since it was Sara, it felt different.
My wolf was itching to prove we were worthy of her time and affection. To show her I was serious about what I wanted and that I needed her in my life.
Many things changed for me in the last year, and while Sara hadn’t been one, I expected to alter my life and perception of things so brutally, there was no denying she had been the biggest one.
She had this innocent and wonderful aura about her, and I wanted her to be the sunshine I needed. The light to the gloom and stubbornness within me.
Her outgoing nature was the final influence I needed to show up at the event in the first place.
She was well known by the townspeople, and she shined that light on everyone who knew her. If I was going to try and win her back, I knew I had to step into her world.
To try and be better because it was the least I could do.
It was wrong for me to confront Noah in town like I had, even if I was set off because of him. While I thought I was protecting the woman I treasured the most, it only backfired, and if I had just held my tongue, everything would’ve worked exactly in my favor.
Regardless of how I screwed up, I was determined to prove to Sara that she could be with me. That I wasn’t like Ryan or any other shifter because I was willing to be different for her.
I didn’t want to be like him. I didn’t want to be like Noah either.
After checking out some of the sights, I rounded my way back to the main area, passing by one of the smaller community buildings.
Before I could get by, a hand gripped my bicep and yanked me back.
Thrown off-guard, I barred my teeth the moment my back hit the steel wall, light enough to not cause any damage from the impact.
Noah’s face was the last one I wanted to see.
Tensing and in defensive mode, I growled at him in warning.
To my surprise, Noah let go of me and backed up a step to point a finger in my face. His features were laced with irritation. Determination.
“What the hell do you want?” I snapped, shaking it off.
“I’m giving you a heads-up before we get in the ring together. I won’t go easy on you just because you think you’re something special to Sara.”
“Oh yeah? And what tells you I won’t go easy on you?”
“The way she looked so mortified by your behavior,” Noah shot back, teeth glinting in the light. “You’re nothing but a meat-headed shifter to her, and in all honesty, you’re not doing any favors for the rest of us.”
I cocked a brow at him and wiped at my mouth. “Is this you taunting me? Trying to get me to stumble out there by bringing her into this? It won’t work, no matter how hard you try.”
“But it already is working because she can’t stand you,” Noah retorted, trying to look smug about it. “I know you saw the look on her face, and you’re about to see it again. I won’t let you hurt her, Griffin. You’re just like the others.”
