Page 5 of Retrograde

“Immediately,” Benson agreed.

“He’s telling the truth, and it’s such a minor but helpful detail I don’t think he needs to be named,” the tiger said. “Justsomeone at the castle even—why say a candidate and have them all pointing fingers?”

“Agreed,” Benson said after a moment and then I was on my way.

Or I was sitting at the bar in the castle’s lounge on lockdown with most of the other candidates. It wasn’t like we were going to just sit in our rooms when there was nothing to do… Because the castle was onlockdown. Internet was cut. No cell service. They weren’t risking one of us calling our families or the media.

Which was smart with the group I was among. Several were clearly pissed they couldn’t spill the tea first.

Gross.

Thorn Blount and Onyx Conley seemed pissed for a different reason… And pissed at each other. I didn’t really get what was going on there, but I could about smell the jealousy. So they both wanted Sagan.

Another reason not to fight for her heart. They could have it. I just wanted a better option for an alliance mating.

And she couldn’t be foolish enough to think she was going to end up with onlyoneof seventeen of us.

Well, sixteen now. Wow, one was already out.

Uncle Dray came walking towards me with purpose later and it was hard not to swear. “What do you know?”

“Not much,” I admitted, debating how much to tell them.

“What have you learned from the others?” he pushed.

I gave him the look he deserved. “Do you think this is summer camp? We braid each other’s hair and trade secrets about our crushes?” I gestured over to Onyx and Thorn who were glaring at each other so hard that I was waiting for one to crack. “It’s a title fight or worse here, Uncle.”

He snorted, understanding I meant for the title of “prince” but yes, people would do much worse than take a cheap shot to the face.

“Fair, but I also know when you’re hiding something.”

I threw back the rest of my drink and gestured for him to follow me. I waited until we were in the courtyard and lowered my voice. “Could you not be a bull in a china shop always and stop assuming I’m the enemy? I wasn’t going to hide anything fromyou, but those people in there aren’t my friends.”

He searched my face for a minute but then narrowed his eyes. “Don’t play me, Ayao. You always have your own agenda too.”

“Yeah, everyone does in this family,Uncle,” I threw right back. “That doesn’t ever mean I’m working against you. It means my life is my fucking own and you don’t own us all as Alpha.” I went on when he opened his mouth. “Should I call Aunt and tell her you were being a dick about this contest and—”

“Fine,fine,” he growled. “I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, but if I find out you threw it for—”

“I’m not here to throw it,” I said firmly, not caring I interrupted him. I chuffed when he opened his mouth. “I’m not here to throw the competition. I want to see if it’s arealmating chance. I’m not going to play games and be—I want to see if it can be a real life for me. Accept that or fuck off and leave me alone.”

He grabbed my arm when I went to turn away. Rage was all over his face, but then something filled his eyes.

Kindness.

“I forgot the date,” he said quietly. “You okay?”

This was why I couldn’t actually hate Dray. He was a decent man. Being Alpha and dealing with all of that responsibility just made him hard and conniving in a way that was part of the job.

Which was why I never wanted it.

I pulled my arm away and rubbed my neck. “I saw something when I went to sneak to find cognac. I reported it because it was the right thing to do.” I backed up and started over.

Dray listened and bobbed his head. He let out a slow breath when I was done and patted my shoulder. “Good man. Really. I might hate picking sides and that family is our ally, but we lost a lot fighting with Rhys too. Sagan is… She’s different. She’s just a kid. Good of you to protect her and—I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks,” I mumbled, shocked.

He smirked at me. “Especially because you hurried to do it even though you knew it might have pissed me off. Huge balls, Ayao. Don’t get in the habit of it, but this time I’m proud.”