Page 38 of Vawn
Vawn chuckled as he ran his hand up and down my arm. “We’re both fine. Enjoy today. You’ve worked hard for this.”
“Hey.” Ret shoved himself between me and his brother but stopped to tickle Enif in my arms. “Where is this kid you’ve been training? I saw what he did out there.”
Unexpected nerves twisted my stomach. I suddenly worried that maybe I hadn’t trained Ilam well enough, that I’d set him up for embarrassment.Stars.Was he really ready? Ret would tear us both apart if he wasn’t.
Vawn pointed over my shoulder. “He’s over there trying to become the wall. And be nice to him. He’s really shy.”
Ret turned to look at my trainee, and his brows furrowed. “That scrawny omega? You think he’d make it as a racer?”
“Yeah.” I set Enif down, hoping I hadn’t made a huge error in judgement with Ilam. “I mean, I really think he’s better than I was when I tried out.”
“Whoa.” Ret slapped my back. “He must be good if the cocky one is admitting someone is better than him.”
“Well, I….”
Ret squeezed my shoulder. “Introduce me. I need to know if this omega is good enough for my team. I still have an empty spot after the cockiest racer I know left to be with his family.”
I elbowed him in the ribs. “Hey, they’re your family, too.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I know. And I’m glad it’s you taking care of them. Makes me worry less about not being here.”
That was the nicest thing he had ever said to me. And while I might have made a big deal about it when we first met, I had more important issues I needed to accomplish today.
“So, Ilam.” I made sure I had my trainee’s attention after walking over to him. “I’d like to introduce you to my former team leader, Ret.”
The older racer reached out first, taking Ilam’s hand in his. “It’s good to meet you. I’ve heard nothing but good things about you.”
Ilam stared wide-eyed at Ret. “I, uh, thanks?”
I laughed, my own nerves suddenly gone. “Enjoy any compliments from him you can get. They don’t come very often.”
My trainee gave a nervous giggle. Shit, it was like meeting him for the first time all over again.
“As I’m sure you’re aware, my team has a vacant spot.” Ret turned his head to glare at me for a moment before looking back at Ilam. “And since you come highly recommended, I was wondering if you’d like to try out for ORIXA.”
I caught Ilam as he stumbled back. I didn’t need him to pass out again.
“I…I….”
Ret shrugged. “You’re welcome to try out for another team if you’d rather see the tail end of our jets all the time. Whatever your preference.”
I laughed. And he said I was cocky.
“No.” Ilam shook his head while trying to find his footing. “I’d really like to fly for ORIXA. It’s my dream.”
“Great.” Ret clasped the young man’s shoulder. “I’m leaving in two days. Be ready to come to Eurebly with me. And be sure to say goodbye to your family because it may be a while before you see them again.”
Ilam’s eyes widened as his face paled. “O-okay.”
“Ojo!”
I turned to see who had shouted my name.
Utahn lunged for me and pulled on my sleeve. “It’s time!”
“Time?” I paused for a moment, unsure why he seemed panicked. “You mean for that ribbon-cutting thing Vawn insisted on doing?”
“No!” He stopped, faced me, and glared. “Time for your baby. Vawn’s water just broke.”
