Page 58 of A Shadow of Betrayal

“Not the same, but similar.”

“So it's an Umbra symbol?” I ask, and Creed nods hesitantly. I open my mouth to ask more, but Creed shakes his head.

“No more questions, Lemon Drop. It's not safe to talk about out here. Rangers are running all over the mountainside, and we don't need the wrong ears overhearing anything,” he whispers, tossing me an apologetic look over his shoulder, and I scowl.

“Fine, but after these games are over, I’m tracking you down. I have more questions,” I grumble, making Creed grin and nod in agreement before he frowns again.

“Meyer… I don’t think I need to stress the importance of you keeping quiet about that. The only reason I’m telling you any of this is because you were there and saw it. I don't need you asking the wrong people questions, okay?”

“Okay,” I agree, making his shoulders relax. Then his hands move down to where mine are hanging at my sides. They trail over my hands and then up my arms before going back and forth, making me shiver against him.

“You know, I never did thank you for saving my life,” he whispers, his smile falling off his face as a serious expression takes over. He reaches down, laces his fingers with my own, and brings them to his lips, where he dusts a soft kiss against them. “I am forever in your debt, Meyer Smith.”

I feel my cheeks heat as Creed stares into my eyes before I nod and smile. “I’m glad I was able to help. Though I wish I could have done more. Unfortunately, I only managed to bring you into my house. I'm assuming Lennox or maybe Razar saved you from there. We never discussed what happened after I lost consciousness.”

Creed presses one more kiss to my knuckles before he lets my hand go and stands up straight, looking around us as if to make sure we are alone. “Lennox and Razar are the ones who came through your door. They fought off the beasts and took me home after we fixed your house. But you were the one who risked your life for me, and for that, I will always be grateful,” Creed whispers, leaning close, his bright green eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

“You're welcome, Creed,” I whisper back, my eyes falling to his lips as arousal pools in my center. Frowning, I step back and chide myself. I just kissed his brother only a few days ago. I really shouldn't be lusting after Creed as well, though out of the two brothers, I’m guessing Creed is the safer one to pursue. “You should probably head back to the castle,” I say, making Creed purse his lips, his eyes moving from my eyes to my lips, then back again as if knowing I’m intentionally putting space between us so I don’t do something stupid like kiss him.

“Probably,” Creed agrees in a low voice that really doesn't help my situation. Goosebumps race up my arms, and my nipples pebble, making them brush uncomfortably against my bra. He stands up straight, then slowly pulls his hand from mine, and I instantly miss the warmth he provides. “Are you going to be okay? I’m worried I hurt you when we fell,” Creed admits, reaching up and running a hand through his dark curly brown hair.

I nod and step back, adjusting the thigh and hip holster Jordan strapped to me before we left the Regalis bunkrooms. I have more than normal, but we didn't know what the games would be, so we prepared for everything.

“I’m sure that was Lennox’s hope. He doesn't want me here. I’m dragging down his numbers and putting the Regalis name through the shredder,” I mutter, the thought causing more pain than it should. Why should I care if Lennox wanted me gone?

“You're wrong, Meyer. What happened earlier was because I was flirting with you, and Nox was upset. He didn't mean to hurt you.” I arch a disbelieving brow and then shake my head. This is not something I need to be thinking about. I have a damn Ranger game to mentally prepare myself for.

“Right. Well, thanks for the ride here. See you back at the castle,” I tell him with an awkward small smile on my face.

“Wait!” Creed blurts out, then groans when I startle in surprise. “Sorry. I didn't… it's just. Damn. I really suck at this,” he says, more to himself than me. I laugh a little, his awkwardness matching my own and making me feel more comfortable. Creed looks at me and shrugs. “Just… run as fast as you can, alright?” he whispers, shocking me at the sudden topic change.

“Alright.” He keeps watching me, sighing a few more times while placing his hands on his hips.

“You shouldn't be out here yet. This was fucking stupid,” he mutters, then lowers his voice. “Stay to the left of the trail and don't stop… no matter what, Meyer. Don’t stop. Whatever you see… it's not real. They are testing speed this time around, nothing more. Do you understand?” he asks, his voice hard as he stares at me with so much worry my stomach flips. Shit, what the hell is going to happen out there during my portion of the relay?

I nod, unable to answer him, which makes his dark expression thunderous.

“Words. I need words. What are you going to do out there?” he asks.

“Run as fast as I can,” I answer in a hushed tone.

“And?” he prompts.

“Stay to the left of the trail,” I say just as quickly. Our happy, light conversation from before is completely gone and replaced with the heavy feeling of worry and dread. Creed grunts in approval before he leans down, shocking the hell out of me when he jerks forward, clasping my face in his hands and slamming his lips to my own. I gasp into his mouth, stunned, and before I can respond, he yanks himself away from me and jumps back on his horse.

“Run, Meyer. And don’t you dare fucking stop. I’ll be at the castle gate waiting for you,” he says, not looking at me before he uses his heels, prodding his horse forward, leaving me to stare after him, my fingers pressed to my lips with a small smile on my face.

THIRTY

Meyer

I squint against the bright sun, looking over my shoulder to see if Colton, the Ranger running the stretch of the relay before me, is in sight, then sighing when he’s not. “What I wouldn't give for some sunglasses,” I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest as I look around.

About thirty minutes ago, I heard a couple of people scream, and it's been silent ever since, which only sets me even more on edge. The towering snow-covered pine trees around me sway at the tops, the small amount of wind rustling their branches, making the snow flurry down like a tiny snowstorm.

“Deep breaths,” I mutter, inhaling the cold air into my lungs and looking around, trying to calm my racing heart as I wait for Colton to arrive. My mind briefly lands on my still-tingling lips and the quick but very satisfying kiss Creed gave me, but I quickly push those thoughts away. I need to stay focused, and the thoughts of how nice Creed's lips felt on mine aren’t very helpful.

The anticipation and nervousness I feel about the stupid run I have to do only builds as I wait, looking from my shoes to the small royal-blue flag in front of me. Glancing at the bracelet on my wrist, I grimace at the small red flashing light. Apparently, the Seniorem uses this to time us on our run, which they will use to score our individual test results.

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