Rex and I sat next to one another at the long table. Our cards read Basileus Rex of the Silver Sun Pack and Regina Nox of the Silver Sun Pack. I smiled at the beautiful calligraphy.
His hand held mine and rested in my lap. He squeezed gently when it got to the new Alpha part. I remember him checking me out and blush.
"This year there is only one new Alpha. Alpha of the Clan Caeruleus Genus."
I gasp and turn to see Indicum stand.
"Hey everyone," He waves and a couple Alphas laugh. "I'm Indicum. You might know me as Clan Caeruleus Genus' champion but now I'm here to take over for my father. I look forward to meeting you in and out of The Dome."
When he sat, his eyes fell on mine. A tingle went up my spine.
I didn't listen to the rest of the speech but shortly after our food was served. The waitress put a plate of oysters before me. A wave of nausea immediately overwhelmed me.
Rex turned to me, his eyebrows knit in concern.
*Are you okay my love?*
I shook my head at Rex and he swiftly picked me up. His Alpha speed got me to our bathroom in 30 seconds. He even took the stairs. Honestly, I almost puked on him when he picked me to from vertigo but it passed.
I sat on the bathroom floor with a cold compress on my forehead.
"You shouldn't have pushed yourself." Rex says, bringing me water.
"It will pass." I say to assure myself more than to Rex.
"Well, I've got some work to get done." Rex says and goes to the main room.
"Wait! Fill me in on the challenges!" I yell after him, jumping up.
I immediately regret it and sink back down onto the bathroom floor. My head is spinning. I'm famished but unable to eat.
*Praesul help me!* I whine.
*The pup wants a cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake.* Praesul muses.
*What? How do you know?*
*Call it intuition.*
I mind link Petram. *Bring me a cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate milkshake stat!*
*I'm your Beta not an errand...*
*Ignis would've done it without all the sass.*
Thinking of him hurts my heart. Note to self: check in with Aqua for updates.
*Yes, Alpha.*
"Oh, right!" Rex walks in buttoning a new shirt. "We have two challenges tomorrow. Two the next day. Then one the following day. And one on the last tournament day."
"So much for not staying a week." I mumble.
"Yeah, it's going to be a long one. If you're not feeling better, I'm happy to take your challenges tomorrow."
"What? Both the ones tomorrow were sent to me?"
"Actually the three challenges that arrived immediately were for you. Apparently everyone thinks it was beginners luck you won all three in The Dome last year."
"What?" I fume and Rex laughs.
"Babe, they don't know how hard you train and how much of a badass warrior you are. Besides both packs are small, if you lose it won't be a big deal." He ducks as I hurl a bar of soap at him.
"I won't lose!" I shout.
"I'm counting on it." He smiles and crosses his arms over his chest. "When should we approach the Alphas about our birthmark incentive?"
"Let's wait." I say, surprising myself. "I feel like we won't need to."
I smell the cheeseburger before Petram knocks.
"Enter." I say as Rex gives me a quizzical look.
"So your test must have - oh hey Alphas! Sorry, talking to myself." Petram turns bright red. "Here's a cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate milkshake. Times two since I figured Rex could always eat."
I glared daggers at him but manage to say. "Thank you."
Rex took the bag from him and nodded his thanks. Once gone we sat on the bathroom floor and ate.
"This can't be sanitary." I say between bites.
"Eh, well I'm just glad you've got an appetite."
I blush and change the topic. "So, who am I fighting tomorrow?"
"Mountain View Pack and Stardust Pack?" He says uncertainly. "I'm pretty sure those are the ones tomorrow."
"Who is the third challenger?" I say with fries in my mouth.
"Blue Gene Pack." I nearly choke. Rex has to pat my back until I cough up a half eaten fry. "You okay?"
"You mean Clan Caeruleus Genus? Why?" Rex shrugs. I stand to pace back and forth.
"Each of the packs want to meet today to discuss their terms."
"Okay, but when are the fights tomorrow?"
"One at noon and one at dusk."
I sigh, "What time do they want to meet today?"
"Mountain View at 3, Stardust at 4, and Blue Gene at 5. The only one I can't attend is the Clan Caeruleus Genus, but you're allies with them right?"
"Yeah, no worries. I got this babe. When are you meeting with the other packs we chose to challenge?"
"Tomorrow. One meeting is during your second match. That is, if you last longer than half an hour. I think your longest was with me and that was what, 25 minutes?"
I smile at him, "Would've been longer if you didn't tear off my damn necklace."
"Then where would we be?" He laughs, "You look much better. How are you feeling?"
"I feel great! Now, let's prep for these meetings. Any idea what you want our spoils be?"
"I've got a few ideas." Rex says thoughtfully.
*Tell the kid we need to compromise, I don't want to be nauseous when I'm in these meetings or in The Dome.*
*I'm not a liaison! You need to listen to our body. They were telling us this whole time.*
"Alright babe, let's hear them!"