The Game Of Quadruplet Mates
(Bk 2) Chapter 4

I tried to shake off the emptiness that I felt from the sudden disappearance of the man from earlier by focusing in front where the organizer continued talking, but it was difficult. It was hard to forget the sadness.

The beauty.

His beauty.

The unanswered questions seemed to eat at me as the seconds ticked by.

And before I know it, the attendees beside me are cheering for whatever the organizer said.

"All throughout the week, there will be events and activities that will help everyone meet everyone. From meals shared together, to contests and to games with some being required and the others only for observation if you so choose. Regardless, the organizers wish only for you to enjoy yourself and to make the most out of your time here."

Rules were then discussed like always, endlessly reminding us never to shift or remove our bracelets that hid our scents or dare mention names and bloodlines. The warning presence of our guards loomed over us as this was explained and I didn't have to look to know my guard was already staring at me.

Blending with the shadows, my guard stood tall and menacing. He was easily taller than everyone in the gardens but kept far away, trying to be invisible yet physically impossible because of his size.

I couldn't see his expression, but I could tell as much that he wasn't pleased.

Have I done something wrong?

Have I already broken the rules?

Or are guards just unfriendly in general?

"The schedule of events will be posted daily. Food is available at any given time and drinks are, as always, free flowing. Now, drink yourself silly if you wish. This is, after all, a party."

The attendees hooted, their drinks raised as if to confirm that this week is just a big party.

Only...

At the end of this week long party there is a choice.

A choice we will all have to make eventually.

"Room assignments will also be posted later today. And that's it. I hope that the Assembly will be unforgettable and, above all else, fun."

Another chorus of applause happens and the band quickly plays another song to lull everyone into this hypnotized state of happiness.

As I looked around, unconsciously looking for anyone familiar in a crowd of hundreds, I noticed how all the attendees were smiling and chatting excitedly. With drinks in their hands and grins on their faces, it was truly as if no one was unhappy in paradise. That is until I remember the man, the sadness in him.

I guess not everyone was happy.

Making my way through the crowd, it took me a while to notice the stares that followed me. At first I thought I was only imagining it until I saw how the men in particular gave wide smiles, tipping their heads towards me appreciatively with their champagne glasses up as if to cheer me from afar.

And when a few of them winked, I suddenly understood.

This went on until I made it to the table with fancy drinks flowing like waterfalls in every corner, trays and trays of things I never thought I would eat were available for us to taste at any given point.

Making the most out of it, I picked up a sugary pastry from a table of treats and attempted to take a bite, when I was interrupted right as I opened my mouth.

A man stands uncomfortably close to me and flashes me a smile that nearly blinded me. He's tall and lean, a clear indication that he's some kind of warrior or tracker. "It's great that we're all of legal age here, right?"

His words made me pull back from him.

Strange.

How very strange.

Why would he say that?

I hesitated with my reply, not understanding what he meant. "I suppose?"

When he smirked, there was something vile about it. "Because these days it's so easy to get in trouble when hooking up with someone younger."

"For good reason, right?" I said, looking for an escape, for anyone to call and say I've been looking for them.

"Would you like a drink?" He asks, disregarding my uneasiness. "I can show you the best tasting ones, teach you a few things you don't know... show you tricks that will make your head spin."

"No. I don't think so. I have to go and-" This time I fully turned away, ready to make a run for it.

"Why not?" He insisted before I could get away, taking my wrist in his rough hands and pressing us closer. "Is it because you already know some wild moves? Why don't you try them on me? With a body and face like that, my week just turned from bleak to entertaining."

My lips parted, my mind grasping for something witty and burn worthy to say, but I was so flabbergasted by his approach that I could only look at the audacity in front of me.

"Miss X,"

I jumped back, completely startled. The voice that spoke was deep and nearly shaking my entire being. Turning around to face said voice, I was surprised to see no one... at least not anyone I thought would speak to me. I certainly never thought my guard would talk after what he said in the maze. "Y-Yes?"

"You're being summoned by the organizers." He said flatly, emotionless and nearly unreadable, but his eyes burned like the fires of hell, ready to kill.

For a moment, I was dumbfounded. "What for? What did I do?"

He gave me a fleeting look and I knew instantly what it meant.

Oh.

OH.

OHHH.

I swallow, terrible at lying even if it's to save my own skin. "Ah, yes. I asked them for a change of... of... sheets."

His eyes widened a fraction and I swear his lips twitched upwards a little bit. "Yes. The sheets."

The man frowns, gesturing to my savior with disgust. "Guards aren't supposed to talk are they?"

"Don't be rude." I snapped, mostly because I was flustered by my lie and wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.

Without another word, I walked away and I don't miss how my guard slammed against the guy with a force I felt from that distance, toppling him over the table of food and didn't spare him an apology or another look before following after me. Though I do hear him grumbling something under his breath.

A curse maybe.

Most definitely.

My feet take me to the lake and not caring for my dress or the etiquette lessons that were forced upon us by the pack elders before we all left for the Games, I kick my high heels off and sit down on the roots of a tree, slouching against it. With my legs brought up to my chest, I stared at the water, watching it shimmer. My social battery had run out and all I wanted to do was sleep, but I only had a week, barely, before the Choosing Ceremony and so far my prospects are slim. Unless I consider that psychopath from earlier.

"You seem to be a magnet for the terrible, Miss X." My guard started, standing a few feet away and staring at the waters as well.

His voice still surprised me.

For he was so unfriendly and dismissive.

He still is.

And I didn't think any of the guards spoke either.

Still, at least I had someone to talk to. I was starting to look pathetic. "Well, I hope you're not planning on quitting your job soon because, at this rate, I might be coming for the full five year experience here."

It takes him a long time to respond, his back is stiff straight but when he does speak it is softer-well for him anyways. "That's far better than settling."

I stared at my feet, wiggling my toes. "Thank you for saving me back there."

"That's my job." He says, unreadable as always.

Somehow, I don't think it was part of his job. Guards are here to make sure fights don't break out and information about us isn't shared.

As he said before, guards don't meddle.

And I wasn't in any kind of danger.

When I turned to look up at him, I was struck by his massive height all over again. He's so tall and broad, like a fighter though the bracelet he wore hid everything else.

As he was a little closer to me than normal and I was on the ground, I got to see a slightly more of him. Especially under the visor of his cap.

I stopped short, staring at him. If I was standing, I would have stumbled because I was surprised at how handsome he was under all that black clothing. Not the mischievous handsomeness that O had or the perfect Angel like handsomeness of the man with the sad eyes. But the type of handsome that makes me stare longer, deeper, like I was trying to remember every little detail.

Menacing and formidable, he had a strong and firm jaw, his neck thick and muscular. He has tan skin, the kind that made me think he spent a lot of time outdoors. He had sharp eyes too, always scanning the area and a posture so straight it didn't look normal. He couldn't be more than a few years older than me.

But his eyes showed experience beyond his years.

His eyes catch movement to the side and, if possible, he stands even straighter.

Without looking at me, he says, "Heads up. Another one of your suitors."

"I don't have suitors." I say with a shrug, feeling like I'm fighting in the trenches with how my day is going so far.

"Let's make a bet." He humorlessly tells me. "He'll praise your eyes, compliment your smile, tell you you're gorgeous-" "You think I'm gorgeous?" I teased, smiling up at him.

He rolls his eyes, unamused. "I said he does."

"But do you?" I quirked an eyebrow, biting my lip to stop from laughing as his face contorted at my pestering of him.

He doesn't answer me, his jaw set.

I don't get to continue pressing him as we're joined by another male attendee with flashy clothes, armed with a drink in each hand.

"Hello, gorgeous." The newcomer didn't wait for me to answer his greeting, doing all the talking for me. "Wow, those eyes and that smile? Incredible."

My guard and I share a look before a small secretive smile spreads across our lips.