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“I’ll do any challenge you want, Omar. I’d be more than happy to complete any task involving shifting, and I’ll complete it any way I see fit. I may not be able to shift, but at least I’m not a narrow-minded dick who got sent here for breaking his fated mate’s heart by going balls-deep in some vampire chick.”

“Oh, snap!” J.D. said and put a fist to his mouth to cover his grin.

Leif looked mortified and pointed at Omar. “You got rejected for being a cheater? You actually cheated on your fated mate?”

That was a big no-no in our culture. The fated-mate pairing was a sacred thing that was not to be defiled. It was part of why Gavin’s brother had rejected Kira. He’d refused to believe the drug had made her sexually attack me. Cheating on a fated mate was tantamount to spitting in the eye of the Moon Goddess herself. The others knew the same thing, and the whole room was looking at Omar with differing levels of disgust and disappointment.

Unrepentant, Omar gave a low growl and swept his eyes across the room, daring one of them to say something. Von clapped his hands to get our attention.

“Now this is exciting,” Von said. “I think I have an idea that everyone, especially our viewers, will love.”

I groaned. From the little time I’d spent on the island, I had figured out a few basic things. One of them being that if Von said that something would be entertaining to the viewers, it meant it would be dangerous as hell.

“Our votes have already come in for the Arena Match,” Von went on. “Wyatt and Leif were the two winners, but this exciting turn of events has me thinking a brand-new challenge may be in order. What if we do something that will really push you all to your limits? Put you under duress and truly reveal all this delicious drama within the group.”

Von ran his tongue along his long canines. “I need to discuss this with the rest of our team. I think you all need to get ready. What I’m planning will take place at night. You’ve got a few hours.” He turned to leave, and I heard him whisper to himself, “This is going to be amazing.” He was in a much better mood than when he’d arrived.

Omar was still glaring at Kira, and I stepped in front of her, blocking his view. His eyes met mine, and I narrowed my gaze, hoping he could read the threat in my eyes. All I wanted was one chance. If he did or said anything I didn’t like, it was on.

The other alphas had started filing out of the room. Tate passed me, giving me an incredulous frown. “You know, for someone who’s so sure Kira can handle herself, you’re awfully protective. Seems dumb to me, but whatever.”

“You know he’s right,” Kira said when he was gone.

I turned to see her looking at me in that way she did when she wanted to get her point across. “What?”

“I can take care of myself. I don’t need you playing the hero. Jumping in like this only makes me look weak.”

“Hang on,” Mika said, holding up a hand. “Kira, no one here thinks you’re weak.” He glanced at Omar and winced. “At least nobody with a brain. I don’t think that’s what Wyatt was implying when he came to your defense.”

I was a little surprised to hear Mika speak up for me. He’d been more or less a brooding and silent shadow the whole time. I appreciated him trying to explain to Kira what I thought was obvious.

Omar scoffed and walked out, bumping his shoulder into mine and growling as he left the room. He didn’t even bother glancing at Kira. He was going to be trouble. He’d blatantly said he wanted Kira dead so the show would bring in another female. One way or another, Omar would have to be dealt with.

Leif walked over and wrapped Kira in a hug, squeezing her tightly. I was already pissed off, and seeing one of the other guys touching her nearly sent me over the edge.

“Don’t let what he said get to you,” Leif said. He pulled away and gave Kira a reassuring grin. “His opinions don’t matter, and there’s nothing in the world that would make me think less of you.”

I pressed my lips together in a thin line. Was Leif using this whole thing as a way to move on Kira? It sounded like he was practically confessing his love for her.

When Kira smiled back at him, my annoyance only increased. It wasn’t her fake smile; it was genuine. She swung her arms around Leif and hugged him back. All I could do was stand there with my fists clenched, wondering if I did have anything to worry about from Leif. If I voiced any concerns, I’d look as petty and stupid as Omar. When Leif finally left, I released the breath I’d been holding.

Now, we got to go and try to get ready for whatever horror Omar had brought down on our heads. It would have been bad enough simply doing the Arena Match, but to be honest, I had no fears about my chances fighting Leif, especially not after the way he’d been flirting with Kira. A one-on-one fight was easy to understand and plan for. Now? That damn vampire had gotten something in his head that was probably a hundred times worse and way more dangerous.

Before I could say anything to Kira, she stormed off. So far, this day had been about as shitty as it possibly could have been. I couldn’t think of a way it could have gone worse.

Gavin had left only a few seconds before Kira did. If I hurried, I could catch him before he got to the alpha den. If nothing else, I was going to try to get some answers. Why was he here, what were his plans, and last of all, was he going to put Kira in danger?

He was walking down the corridor toward the den when I caught him.

“Hey, Gavin?”

He turned slowly and looked at me like I was something to be scraped off the bottom of his shoe. “Wyatt.”

“What are you doing here?” I asked.