LYRA

I felt like a piece of meat standing there, right in the middle of that rustic square, with all those lustful eyes checking me out from head to toe.

They were my “suitors,” and honestly, I never imagined there’d be so many.

"Whoever tames the most powerful beast gets to claim this female!"

With that roar, the Alpha kicked off this madness.

My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for him.

He wasn’t in the cave, and he hadn’t shown up in the square either.

I watched the men walk away, my chest tightening around my heart.

Verak’s dangerous eyes stared at me from a distance, standing by a small hut.

I knew he was plotting something, that he wouldn’t just sit back and do nothing. I was starting to regret suggesting this competition.

What was the point if the male I wanted wasn’t going to take part?

"Give him the benefit of the doubt, I think our little savage is going to surprise us," Aztoria told me, though I could feel her worry too.

"He better... because if Drakkar rejects me like thi