The Game Of Quadruplet Mates
(Bk 2) Chapter 5

My afternoon continued like that.

Boys of all shapes and sizes with different approaches come to me with drinks and smiles and... prepositions.

"Are you a top or bottom, beautiful?"

"T like wild things. Are you as wild as you look?"

"Have you ever tasted a man's-<<<

1 tried to take it seriously, to see my options clearly, but everyone was either too perve r ted, merely looking for a good time during the Ganes or trying to fish for my personal life to see if I could give something to them.

"Your family, are you close with them? Do you mind if you leave them? I do not want to leave for another pack, you see."

"Do you know how to cook or clean? Take care of babies?"

"How many children do you want?"

"Have you had s*x before? Are you a virgin?"

Unfortunately, it all ended the same for me. In less than a minute, when they see I have nothing to offer or that I'm unwilling to spread my legs as easily, they're always walking to the next girl already, looking for better prospects. It didn't help that my guard's presence was ever present, glaring or grumbling or the rare almost smile on his lips when someone was particularly stupid.

And there were a lot of stupid.

I can't blame them though. With only a week to replace the one, I would also go through the options quickly until I've narrowed them down. As for the ones looking for a good time... who could blame them? This is a party.

The biggest party.

A hand moving around a bit to expressively takes me out of my thoughts.

"You know this lifestyle is something I can provide for you." A guy boasted, his grin as wide as his ego. "Dresses, food and luxury? Anything you want. Name it. All of it can be yours."

Truly, I should be flattered.

In another world, I would be.

But the way he was looking at me was just putting me off him.

He was obviously titled - he didn't hide that fact. Flaunting and squawking around as if he could buy us all. He didn't have a single scar on his body or a callous, as he so proudly told me. Quietly, I wished a guard would take him away but he hadn't technically broken the rules yet. He didn't say what he was.

Just as I'm about to say my goodbyes and make an excuse about goin the bathroom for a large dump or something, he gives me an apologetic

"But I don't want to be serious with you yet.

1 blinked. "Sorry?"

"This week is supposed to be a week of meeting as many options as I can have and I don't want to be solely on you. You know, lest I miss a potential wife." He smiles at me like I remember his name. I don't.

Even if it's just a letter.

I tried not to make a face. "Okay..?"

"You're great, Miss X. You're pretty, you look like you can satisfy me, and you don't look that poor?" He looked me up and down. "That's easily fixable, don't worry. I'm just wondering if there's better." Suddenly, the guys before him seemed less st u pi d. "I completely understand. You don't have to worry about-_"

He doesn't let me finish. "But I still want to keep vou around, you know?

Just in case. Do you think you can keep yourself available for iT

Wow.

This guy.

My gaze met my guard's and we shared another look before I forced a painful smile that stretched my face. "Well, that is very kind of you " I tried to remember his letter. "Z?"

He frowned, clearly displeased that I did not know him as well as he thought I did. "L"

"Yes, L, I meant to say L. Anyway, you're very kind but I already have someone in mind." I was lying through my teeth, having no one in mind really, but I just couldn't imagine myself being with this guy. Sending a quiet apology to my father, who I know I was disappointing, I pressed on. "It's really too bad because you're such a catch."

My words were dripping with sarcasm.

I'm sure he could sense it.

Or not.

He bristled, face reddening. "Who? Who do you like better than me? Who could possibly offer more than I can?"

I tried to think of a letter. Any letter at all but I blanked... an awful liar, as per usual.

"There you are, X."

Before I can turn or react, I'm pulled into a tight embrace, muscular arms circling around me and a chest that's seen hard work pressed against my face.

The bracelet might erase his scent, but somehow I could still smell him on his clothes.

It was the kind of familiarity that I knew by heart.

Mister O.

"You?! You're who she wants?" He pointed at O, his face red and angry.

A kiss is pressed on top of my head, almost a little too lovingly. "I'm sorry, friend Z, her heart is very much taken by me."

"It's L." The man with a fancy lifestyle was turning purple now.

O merely shrugged. "Oh, my bad. You looked like a Z."

Icracked a smile, unable to help myself. "He does look like a Z." His eyes brightened at my remark. "Exactly. You always get me."

Mister L, sputters out a few words. "I changed my mind. I don't have to look for someone else. You're already good enough, Miss X. I shall be choosing Уоц-»

"Too late," O smirks, taking my hand and pulling me away.

When we were far enough from him, O squeezed my hand before dropping it, the warmth of his hands still lingering on my skin. He looks everywhere but at me, staring at statues and flowers. He was quiet. Too quiet.

The kind of quiet that was still loud.

It wasn't like him.

"What's wrong?" I asked, not used to him being the silent one. "You're being really quiet."

Still, he doesn't look at me, the expression in his face almost wretched. <<

Just something on my mind."

I gestured around his head, wiggling my fingers. "And here Kthought vou were empty up there."

He smirks, eyes ablaze with mischief. "What? You think I'm all brawn and no brains? Sweet girl, I'm the full package."

I rolled my eyes, unimpressed but still found myself smiling. "All brawn?

You don't even have that."

"Is that so?" He loomed over me, tall and steady and strong. "You'll be surprised."

"Prove it." I challenged, almost sure he didn't really care to prove himself.

He never had to.

He knew his worth and was never shy about it.

But he takes me by surprise yet again when he nods, determined and smug. "Alright, how?"

I was too shocked to say anything, but thankfully, I didn't need to because a loud voice spoke through the speakers for me.

"Good afternoon attendees, we hope you are all fed and tipsy because the first contest is happening in a few minutes. May you all proceed to the lake and we shall begin shortly."

O grins then, his smile so wide that his eyes crease. It was the smile of a little boy, giddy to be victorious in something. "If I win that contest, will you admit that I'm both brawn and brains? The best among the rest?" I shook my head in disbelief. "You don't even know what the contest is yet.

"Doesn't matter. I'll win it anyway." He says this as he leans forward, the space between us becoming inches away.

"Fine." I blew out a breath, knowing the O I knew would never do such a thing. He always liked showing off, but not this way. "I'll say and do whatever you want me to but I know you won't win it."

He turns around, already heading for the lake. "You have vastly underestimated me, Miss X."

I walked behind him, a crowd of excited attendees meeting us as they surged towards the lake. Everywhere I looked were white dresses and suits.

Everyone had a glass in their hands, still drinking and enjoying every second of the Games.

Mister O takes my hand just as I lose him in the crowd, bringing me close.

It felt strange to hold his hand like this.

There was no one to run away from, no other reason to do so... but there it was, holding me.

We never did this at home.

He was this bigger and better person and, almost like everyone else, I simply stared on, admiring from afar.

Despite being in the same pack, our worlds were different. Far apart.

1 thought it would stay different here. Us, staying away from each other, pretending not to know one another.

Somehow, I feel that difference slowly ebbing away.

Or maybe that's just my imagination.

Hands still clasped together, we passed through a small pathway that had lit candles on the ground. The path itself was dusted with thousands upon thousands of flower petals and the trees that provided cover from the sunlight had dangling garlands of white flowers. It was magical and so enchanting that I couldn't help but marvel at it all.

Reaching the edge of the lake, a group of organizers in black stood in front with broad smiles on their faces. Behind them, in the lake but still quite near the shore, were more people in black but floating on wooden boats.

As I squinted ahead, I saw how the boats were equipped with more food and drinks, ready to hand it to us.

The lake itself had parallel floating lanterns lining up the way from the shore until the wooden dock in the middle of the water. On top of the wooden dock was some kind of prize on top of a stand.

It looked circular and floral... a wreath made of golden roses.

"Welcome attendees to the first of the games!" An organizer in front loudly announced, making everyone cheer.

It was so loud and boisterous that the ground was shaking from how hard evervone stomped and jumped.

Already people were drunk, some blubbering nonsense, others hiccuping uncontrollably, but almost all were flushed, red in the face.

"It would not be the infamous Assembly without the competitive games."

The organizer's voice boomed, causing a chill down everyone's back. Because this is what the Games are known for; pitting attendees against each other, showing off and proudly flaunting when winning something or chosen for something. The strongest. The prettiest. "Celebrating honor and boldness, these games show strength unlike any other. By proving your worth and asserting dominance, we hope to replace the best among you."

I have heard the original Games used to be more intense. There have been deaths and injuries in the past - not so accidental ones. These days, the organizers have downplayed the contests as much as they can, making the contest non-lethal and safer, to keep attendees from harm or to stop potential wars between packs.

"For your first challenge, we shall be doing a simple test of speed, a swimming race." As he says this, the lanterns on the water lit up, making the sparkling water glow. "Five laps from the shore to the dock in human form.

Participants will get a chance to wear any bracelet from a lady of their choosing. Additionally, whoever comes first will get to win the ability to crown the most beautiful attendee of this year's Assembly with the golden wreath." Everyone's eyes turned to the dock where the said wreath gleamed under the sun.

I could hear the women sucking in their breaths at the sight. It was one thing to be asked for your bracelet, but it's another thing completely if you're crowned as the most beautiful. Only the first contest provides that wreath, that honor.

Though I like to believe that I am not interested and moved by the wreath... some part of me did quietly wonder about the wreath and if it was shameful of me to think about it. Suddenly, Mister O steps forward, grinning widely and winking at me when he turns with a look of amusement. "Remember your promise, Miss X"