~Emeric~

　　[THE NIGHT BEFORE]

　　Who'd ever listen to a man's perspective, right? Well, you are very wrong. A man has feelings too. His opinions on certain things matter to him, if not to the entire world. But who'd ever understand that?

　　Roman was silently following me as I walked after Odin and Aurora. Aurora had left the palace first, heading towards the gate when I saw her exiting from my chamber. My room faces the citadel's grand gate opening which leads a path towards my Kingdom. A two mile stretch, straight towards the main gate that separates my Kingdom from the wild. Tall compound walls have kept us safe for decades. And they will keep us safe for a few more decades, if we worship them well.

　　However, my distraction from work was solidified when I caught Odin separating from a group of his friends at the palace grounds as well. He was close to the gate, while my mate, Aurora, had already exited it after the guard identified her as a contestant. This is still happening in my Kingdom, in front of my eyes.

　　I could tell that Odin was not following Aurora with an intention. He seemed too indulged in his own world than lift his head up and see who was walking in front of him.

　　I was growing eager and agitated.

　　'I promise, Prince Emeric. I will make her mine, at all costs.'

　　I shook my head, almost as if I was jolted. I can't let that man win her over. Especially after what Marrok and I have decided for her.

　　It's supposed to be our little secret.

　　'You better watch yourself out there, Emeric. That handsome white man is the future alpha of The Stormchaser Pack . Hide yourself, distance yourself. You know the rest.'

　　'Leave it to me, Marrok. I got this. I've been on spy missions more times than I can count.'

　　'Hmm. Right.'

　　And then, I gave one knowing look to Roman who smirked my way. He prepared a shawl for me, wordlessly helping me cover myself with it. A really dirty and smelly hat out of the stash of disguise was thrown over my head,

　　"Roman, I'd really need a shower after this. These items smell older than your age."

　　"Very funny," He rolled his eyes at my bad joke, and then, I proceeded to follow Odin discreetly.

　　I hoped they wouldn't meet anywhere close to the border, but they did! He's got the passes for her, and was smiling with her as if he's her mate!

　　No...no. That was a very wrong image of what I should have of my mate. I should be more trusting!

　　Odin Blackwood was smiling all the way through the forest. They even conversed, from what I could hear, about their third trial. She was concerned over her leadership. But in my eyes, Aurora had given the best performance out of all contestants. However, since I'm not the one to judge them, I wasn't allowed to place her in the first position.

　　She was giving me clues about her incident, indirectly. I made a mental note on checking on those incidents. H, she says? I'll have to look into those matters. If he doesn't speak, I have to retort to my 'old methods' of getting the truth out of his mouth.

　　"You've done a great job, Aurora. If it wasn't you leading that team, I don't see anyone else doing what you did for them. I'm very, very proud of you." Odin Blackwood uttered the words that should have come out of my mouth! I should have been the one telling her those words, reassuring that she's done such a wonderful job at being a leader!

　　But at the same time, my irrational self was not convinced that she had forgone the first rule of leadership, that I've talked with her one night at the gym! Before their third trial had begun, I briefed her about the scriptures suggesting how the strategy must be laid out. And she ignored the rule of 'leaders always take the decisions,' which cost her the incident.

　　Anyway, after their little talk, I watched them with narrowed eyes as he proposed for a run around the woods!

　　How insensitive of a man to consider a woman as tired as her would even take a run!

　　But...I was proved wrong.

　　With my mouth slightly ajar, I watched Aurora nodding her head vigorously. She seemed excited about their little stroll!

　　The jog was an incredibly friendly one. I'd have to gaslight myself into thinking it's friendly. I know about Odin Blackwood, and his aim to get my girl he's grown onto. He's lusting for her. As a man myself, I know he is lusting for her!

　　They've stopped in front of a lake. A pond, if I might have to be precise. With the same expression of narrowed eyes, scrutinizing gaze towards Odin Blackwood, I paid attention to their speech. They were talking about trivial things, yet again.

　　Is this what friendship looks like?

　　Maybe...he's trying to win her heart by just being there. By being a friend, a connection I cannot afford with Aurora at the moment. Conflict was nipping away at me, but then again, I've made up my mind. Odin is definitely trying to get to me. Which I won't allow him to, because I'm a greedy man like that! What's mine, is mine!

　　Then...The expected yet unexpected thing had occurred. I was warned by Marrok that such things will arise sooner or later between two friends of different genders. It's not a generalized statement, but things as they are...prove it to me.

　　I was confident that Aurora wouldn't fall for someone like Odin Blackwood. He left an impression on all of us at the second trial. He is unbothered and slightly inclined towards being rude to higher authorities. Even I was taken aback by the way he spoke with such confidence to the one who could decide his entire life in one verdict: The adjudicator.