Chapter 0122

The sudden silence behind us makes me freeze. Every eye in the room is fixed on our exchange. Adrian raises his voice to address the crowd. "If anyone's foolish enough to challenge my Guardian, good luck - you'll need it. And after I defeat her in our sparring match on Monday, she'll officially be my mate."

My muscles tense at his bold declaration. I should've seen this coming. He's never been subtle about claiming me in public.

It's Sebastian who reacts first. "Wait! The 'yes' Evelyn would give if you win is to become your mate?" He asks like this changes everything. I feel Adrian nod against my shoulder.

"Well damn! Sorry Evelyn, I was betting on you, but now..." Nathaniel shakes his head. "No way Alpha's losing this one." From my peripheral vision, I see Bianca slinking away, wounded pride evident.

I twist in Adrian's arms to face them directly. Not just Sebastian - all the warriors are huddled around Julian now. "You can't all bet on Alpha Adrian. That's not how betting works when everyone chooses the same side."

"Are you serious right now?" I demand.

Nathaniel pops his head up. "Sorry Evie, we didn't know you were the prize. No chance Alpha's losing on Monday." I glance over my shoulder at Adrian's smug expression. His arms remain locked around me like steel bands.

"Evelyn?" Alpha Alistair's voice cuts through the chatter. The betting table falls silent immediately.

"Yes Alpha?"

"You heard the stories the other night. You should know a Grey never loses when his heart's set on something. Isn't that right, Seraphina?" He turns the same infuriating smirk Adrian wears toward his mate.

Seraphina presses her lips together before a reluctant smile breaks through. She meets my eyes. "I'm sorry darling, but Alistair's right. If I were to place a bet..." Every warrior's head snaps up like prairie dogs. "I said if I gambled, which I don't," The heads drop back down. "I'd have to wager on Adrian this time."

I shake my head in disbelief. "Fine. If everyone's betting against me, at least make it interesting." They all turn expectantly. I step out of Adrian's embrace toward their table. "You really think he'll take me down that easily? Why not bet on how long it'll take him to pin me?"

Julian's face lights up. "Genius!" He starts scribbling new odds. Sebastian glances at me. "Has Selene shifted yet?"

"Not yet, I-" Selene pushes forward to answer. "Tomorrow, warrior. My first shift comes tomorrow. And if any of you doubt me again, I'll personally remind you on the training grounds exactly who you're dealing with."

Every warrior immediately bows their head in deference to Selene. "Our apologies, Selene. It's just...we know you're not at full strength yet, and Adrian with Theron have made their intentions clear. No disrespect - we know your power." They rush to appease her.

Only when Adrian's arms encircle me again does Selene settle. His voice drops an octave as Theron surfaces. "Does this mean we get our run tomorrow, little guardian?"