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I had mostly drowned out the loud cheering from the crowd, but my heart squeezed at the divided encouragement, and I wanted him to win. I needed him to.
Both wolves seemed tired by then, and I wondered how much steam either one still had. They both looked tired but unwilling to give up.
Hearing the noise and realizing how silent I had been, an idea popped into my head.
If we really were fated mates, then that meant we’d have a special connection that went beneath the surface level. Not only did we feel for each other, but we’d have the ability to lend our strength.
At that moment, I knew he needed it.
It was the least I could do.
“Go, Griffin!” I shouted with my hands cupped around my mouth. “You’ve got this!”
There was a brief flicker of recognition in those wolf eyes as he taunted Noah, alternating between half-lunging at him and catching his breath again.
Even if it seemed like a small gesture that wouldn’t mean much, that was all it took.
With a rush of sudden strength, Griffin snarled at Noah right as he slammed against him and knocked him to the ground. Noah yelped as the other held him down, pinning him with his jaw around his neck.
That possessiveness flared within him, and I knew it was because of our bond. I could feel it through the connection, like a small token of gratitude. It made my chest warm instinctively.
One crunch was all it would take. That would be the end of him.
But Griffin went no further than that as he held him there, growling.
Finally conceding, Noah whined from his place in the dirt and didn’t fight back.
“That’s the match!” Kai shouted, to which the crowd erupted in one big cheer. He entered the ring, and Griffin pulled away to let Noah regain his bearings. “Griffin West is our winner and this year’s strongest shifter!”
Clapping for him, I smiled as my heart swelled with pride. He did it.
Sienna and River stepped into the ring with robes for each of them. They unfolded and held them up to cover both men as they shifted back to maintain some level of modesty. The robes were slid onto their shoulders once they regained their usual forms, and Griffin’s arm was lifted in triumph by Kai.
“Congratulations!”
Even if Griffin wasn’t one to gloat, a wide smile moved across his face as he looked out at the crowd. When his eyes met mine, my chest thrummed, and I couldn’t be happier for him.
A mutual understanding seemed to stand between us, and I looked forward to the chance to finally hear him out.
Chapter 28 - Griffin
Every possible worry I had slipped away from my mind the moment the spar was called and I was announced the winner.
Not because I cared about proving how strong I was to everyone in Rose Valley but because it meant I showed Sara just how willing I was to fight for her. Hearing her cheer for me was enough to instill in me the confidence I needed to win it. Having her faith was enough.
While that pride circulated through my system, so did my desperation to see Sara again. We needed that chance to get everything out in the open once and for all.
I needed all that weight off my conscience, and I needed to know that Sara didn’t hate me. Even if I could feel it through our connection, I needed to hear it from her directly.
I was itching to get to her, but the usual competition wrap-up was still underway. Kai talked to us as I put a hand out for Noah. He had glanced at my palm, then let go of an even breath and shook it.
Even if he wasn’t a fan of me, he conceded, and that was that.
Rowan joined us as we left the ring, and he clapped a hand on my shoulder.
“That was some show,” he said, smiling like a proud older brother would. “Everyone loved it. You did great.”
“And Sara?” I asked once we walked out of earshot away from the ring.
