10
Chapter 10 Hatcher
WasKarly not here because of what happened last night? It was a little wild, especially if it wasn’t something she’d ever been involved in before, but it was exciting as well, and a whole lot of fun. She had to have enjoyed it, I could practically feel the joy rolling off of her in waves when we were kissing, and she seemed to be in heaven with all the other men as well. But the fact that she wasn’t here for our morning run was a little weird, and I had to admit, that made me very nervous.
Do I call her?I wondered. I wasn’t sure if that might be piling the pressure on a little too much considering she could be in the midst of freaking out. Or do I just run alone?
A part of me wanted to assume she wasn’t coming to make it easier on myself. I wanted to just take off running already to burn off this weird energy I couldn’t cope with. But since this wasn’t exactly a date, it was a work thing, I didn’t think I could give up just yet. Karly was the most professional woman I’d ever known. She seemed to live for her career, I could just feel that emanating from her. So she wouldn’t just not turn up for an interview with me. Not when she needed it for her morning show.
Since I didn’t quite know what to do, and I found myself pacing awkwardly in front of the Astro Games building, I shifted halfway. I tapped into my bear to make my human form stronger. It was something I had done to practice for these games, because while winning wasn’t my end goal, and I definitely wasn’t planning on getting too far, I still wanted to get it right. People often struggled with half shifting. It wasn’t the easiest thing to do because the bear always wanted to be let loose. But mastering it was what set shifters like me apart from everyone else. That was why we were the guys who had qualified for the games.
In half shift, all my senses were heightened, especially my sense of smell. It wasn’t the same for all bears, but for me, my nose became incredible, which I always thought helped me with my studies in college. Right now, instead of smelling nature and other people, I found the horrible smell of blood invading my nostrils. I was immediately on edge. It didn’t matter that I could sense that the person attached to the blood wasn’t as panicked as me, that they were hurt but not scared, I still knew I needed to get to them right away. I forgot everything I was supposed to be doing and picked up the pace to go find whoever was injured. Karly wasn’t here, so I knew she was fine…
“Oh!” But it was Karly. She was around the side of the building, blood cascading out of her knee. Her t-shirt was ripped, not because of the fall she took, but because she was practical. She’d torn a strip from it and was wrapping it around her leg to stop the bleeding before it got even worse than it already was. “Oh my God, Karly, are you okay? What happened?”
The color had drained from her cheeks as she lifted her gaze to meet mine. A weak giggle passed her lips. “I thought I’d do a lap to get the blood pumping before we started our interview, but I guess I fell and…” She threw her hands in the air in frustration. “Well, this isn’t the way I wanted to start the day. I’m pathetic, aren’t I? Look at me.”
I tried not to look at her for too long because I didn’t want to get caught staring. Somehow, without makeup and all the fancy clothing, she was even more beautiful. Or maybe I was just thinking that way because I knew how powerful her lips were, how her kisses knocked me off my feet, how she made me feel absolutely amazing about myself.
“Let me get you up.” I tried to distract myself by scooping my hands underneath her armpits to lift her up, but right now she was dead weight, unable to put any weight on her leg. “Okay, don’t worry.”
I left her on the ground while I whipped off my own tee to wrap it around her leg, to give her a bit more support. The cool morning breeze whipped around me, but it didn’t give me a chill or anything. I was too fixated on Karly and making sure she was okay.
“That should help,” I tried my best to reassure her. “Let’s try to get you to your feet.”
She was finally able to stand up, so I moved back for a couple of seconds, but the weight of her body got too much for her and she started to fall all over again. I wasn’t going to take any more chances, so I let her fall into my arms and I lifted her up to carry her. At first, Karly looked like this made her feel all kinds of awkward, but she soon seemed to click to the idea that I was doing everything I could to help her. She leaned into me and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Where are we going?” she asked with a little tremor in her voice as I started moving.
“To the medical tent,” I informed her. “I think we need to get your leg looked at.”
“But that tent is for participants only…”
I shot her a look. “I really don’t think they’re going to turn you down with blood pouring out of you. You’re going to be fine.”
“I guess.” She sighed. “Well, should we do our interview while we wait?”
She was thinking about work now? Of course she was. This was Karly, after all. Plus, I could only assume that asking questions was going to take away from any weirdness shrouding us after last night. “Yeah, why not.”
She gulped audibly. “So, are you ready for the first round of racing tonight?”
Okay. Banal, basic. I could go with that. “I think so. But, of course, the competition is fierce, so I don’t know what everyone else will be bringing to the table.”
“Are there any competitors you are particularly worried about?” I could feel her breath tickling my cheek. It was electrifying.
“I think I should be worried about all of them.” I knew this wasn’t what she wanted, so I dove in and gave her a little more. “But I would be remiss not to be especially worried about Drew and Alek.” Should I have brought up his name? Well, it was too late, it was out there now. “They are currently in the top two positions. They obviously have a lot of strength and power.”
“Of course.” There was a smile in Karly’s voice. I couldn’t see it, but I could feel it. “There are a few competitors who are known for their wild love lives. But not much is known about you…”
“You’re asking about my love life now?” That seemed a little forward. I couldn’t figure out if she wanted to know for herself or the competition.
“Hey, if you win this thing, you’re going to marry the princess and be in line to be the next Bear King. I think I can ask this.”
I pulled back to look at her as we neared the medical tent. “Is my response going to be on record?”
That seemed to pique her interest. “I don’t think everything you say needs to go on record, no. This can be between us.”
I sucked in a slightly nervous breath, because this was a lot for me to admit out loud. But I was also excited to get it off my chest, and also to let Karly know a little bit more about where I stood. “Me entering the Astro Games isn’t to win. I know I won’t win, and I actually don’t want to.”