Savannah’s POV
He nodded “they are like judges”
“I haven’t seen anyone other than that old Lian”
“He is the keeper of this forest area and also the one who arranges everything here” Devak replied.
“Impressive, so the elders only show up during the game?” I asked again curiously.
“Yeah” he nodded.
“Bunch of traditional fools” I heard Hardwick whisper to himself. I turned to look at him while he just flashed his annoying yet sexy smirk towards me. This man, is he cursing those judges? I wonder what will those elders think if they hear him saying this.
Just then Jion and Shiny walked inside but paused when their gaze landed on Hardwick. Jion frowned while Shiny looked at him stunned. I rolled my eyes. Hardwick had an extraordinary appearance. No female could resist the charm he has even if he doesn’t do anything.
“This…” Jion started but he was answered by Tanea before he could finish his words.
“I guess you two haven’t met him. Let me introduce you, he is Alpha Hardwick, Sav’s mate”
“Huh? Savannah’s mate?” Jion turned to look at me while I just smiled at him confirming.
“I never thought you’d have such a hottie as a mate,” Shiny commented as she sat beside Jion.
“No comments” I said and she laughed. Her gaze fell on Hardwick and smirked.
“Alpha Hardwick, I am Shiny, the sister of the beta of Snow Moon Pack. If you ever felt bored I can give you some company”
Is she flirting? I glanced at Hardwick from the corner of my eyes and saw his expression has not changed a bit. I bit my inner cheeks trying hard not to giggle. I know Shiny is playful and a big flirt to handsome boys. But flirting with Hardwick like this…. Soon enough Hardwick opened his mouth to reply.
“You can come to Dark Forest at anytime, I don’t mind introducing you some unmated virile to play with”
My eyes widened in an instant. Did he really say that? Introducing some unmated virile? I looked towards Shiny who was now turned totally red with embarrassment. Though I know Hardwick is straightforward and dominating, I never thought he would embarrass her like this.
At the side Devak snickered silently while Tanea glared at him. I lowered my head not wanting her to see the smile on my lips while Hardwick drank the juice kept on the table calmly.
After a long silence Jion cleared his throat “Alpha Hardwick please forgive my sister being so unruly. Sometimes she behaves in childish way”
Hardwick didn’t reply, just slightly nodded his head. Then we started to eat without any words.
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“I appreciate all of you for joining this hunting event. Because of some reasons we had to organise this ever earlier than its usual date. I hope everyone here today will accept our sincere apology and help us to make this event joyous and adventurous at the same time” a old man clothed in white said, looking at us. There was a small stage made where the 4 old men stood in a poised manner.
“They are the elders?” I mumbled to myself.
“Just a few people who don’t have anything to do” Hardwick’s mocking voice reached my ear. I glared at him.
“Can you be a little rational?”
“You think I’m not?” He asked, looking down at me.
“You already embarrassed Shiny to no end that she refused to come out now”
“Was that my fault? What can I do in that matter when she wanted to get it willingly”
I rolled my eyes. I can’t even argue with him now. Shiny is at fault first. Though some men in the pack were really annoyed by her, they never tried to embarrass her. But what Hardwick did was something beyond imagination. It’s like she dug her own grave.
“I am not talking to you” I focused my attention towards the stage where the elders were still speaking.
“Why don’t you just admit your defeat directly?” He chuckled.
I gritted my teeth but refrained myself from any further comments. It’s better this way. Who would have the free time to argue with him. It’s like banging one’s head on the wall without any reason.
“Like every year, this year we have arranged a few games which will test your strength and also your sharpness. I hope everyone who will attend will enjoy it” the elder who spoke earlier said again. His appearance was quite old and looked like monks who just come from long years of meditation. I really wonder if they are really saints or love to dress like one.
Not finding any interest in their speech I roamed my eyes around the ground. Suddenly I felt a sharp gaze piercing me. I turned to that direction only to see a woman clothed in red looking at me with her sharp gaze. I frowned, I don’t know why she is giving me this look. Like I have committed some sin which is unforgivable. She is the same one who glared at me when Hardwick introduced me as his mate. Does this woman have any enmity with me?
Daisy looked away instantly as I felt an arm sneaking around my waist “what are you looking at?” Hardwick’s hot breath brushed the skin of my ear.
“Do your pack members always wear a cold look? Or is it just to scare others?” I mumbled.
“What happened?” He turned me around and made me face him. His dominating brown orbs looked at me seriously “did anyone misbehave with you?”
His voice is rough and his face bece hard. It’s like he is ready to explode the moment I say yes. I shook my head. I don’t know about Daisy and why she glares at me. But it’s not the time to ask this.
“No, it’s just they always look serious so I thought they do it to scare others” I shrugged.
He frowned but didn’t inquire further which is glad from my side. Hardwick is hard to handle when he is angry and this is something I got to know perfectly. This man does not know any rules nor does he accept any so it’s better to make him stay away from this minor matter. And about Daisy, I will find it myself in future.
“The event will start tomorrow, and please who will be joining the first game be prepared” the elder’s voice fell and the crowd cheered loudly. So finally the game is starting.
“Today’s meeting is dismissed” saying that those elders walked down from the stage.
“Let’s go” Hardwick pulled me with him.
“Where?”
“Are you not tired from all this standing under the son?”
I rolled my eyes “no”
“Then I am tired and you are accompanying me”
I face palmed inwardly. Is this man really serious? Why does he always use his domination with every action?
“You are the Alpha but you are tired already?” I smirked.
He turned and gave me an evil smile “oh, I am not darling. If you just want to see how strong an Alpha can be, I can surely help you in this matter” he learned to match my level “do you wanna try it out love?”
“What are you talking about? I have no intention of fighting with you” I frowned.
He smirked “who’s talking about fighting here, I can saw you exactly on bed too”
My face burnt with embarrassment as the hotness started to crawl on my cheeks. Does this man always think of ‘that’ thing? I glared at him trying to hide my blush before pushing his face away from me.
“You shameless”
“Let me show you how shameless I can be darling” before I know he scooped me up in his arms making me squeal. Few of the people turned to look at our direction, making me blush even harder.
God, this is embarrassing. I wanted to hide my face so hard now. But Hardwick didn’t care about those teasing gazes as he started to walk towards our tent which is now turned into ‘ours’.
But before I went inside the tent I saw Avan glaring in my direction. His face was hard and his jaw was clenched tightly. I rolled my eyes as the curtain of the tent fell blocking the view from outside leaving me only with my mate.