So instead of getting into what was sure to be another fight, I took my sister’s hand and said, “Come on, Jenna. Let’s get some sleep.”
33
HOLDEN
Iwoke early, unable to sleep despite having pushed my wolf to its limits last night on a run after Kayden returned. Even now, I couldn’t shake the frustration and unease that followed in the wake of yesterday’s events.
My father told me where Kayden had gone, but only after she was already on her way back. The fact they didn’t think I should know what Kayden had to face still had my blood simmering. I should have been with her, by her side as she went back into what could have been dangerous territory.
To make matters worse, she wasn’t coming around after our argument on the beach yesterday morning. How could she possibly think I wanted Sydnee instead of her? She was being stubborn, not listening to what I was trying to tell her. But the fact of the matter was, I loved her.
She was the woman I wanted to spend my life with, and I wasn’t willing to give her up. I finished my list of the council positions I wanted to offer the six contestants who’d been eliminated, ready to hand it off to Willow at breakfast. It was a small relief to know we were so close to the end of the Contention, and Kayden was still here. We just had to get through the final phase without her and Sydnee going for each other’s throats—literally.
When I walked into the dining hall, I was surprised to see my parents there with Kayden and Sydnee. It was strange not to have any of the other women here now.
“There you are,” Willow said. She was seated at the table with the others, and I pulled out a chair next to her, sliding my list discreetly into her hands. “I was just telling everyone else that since there are only two remaining contestants, there’s no sense in holding any of the remaining competitions. We should just skip straight to the home visits.”
Ah, yes. Home visits. Where I was to meet and spend time with the families of my potential mate.
“You’ll be going home with Sydnee tomorrow to learn more about her life and where she came from, to get to know her family and packmates. This will be your chance to learn anything else you need to know about her.”
She spoke about it as if they weren’t both sitting right there. My gaze shifted to Kayden, who was sitting stiffly, her focus trained on the plate in front of her. “And when will we have Kayden’s home visit?”
“The following day,” Willow said, referencing her tablet.
“How is that even going to work?” Sydnee said, arching a brow. “Kayden’s only family is here. Why bother going back to her pack lands?”
She was unaware of everything that had transpired over the last couple days. Visiting Kayden’s pack would take care of two matters—our final date of the Contention and ensuring the alpha she’d appointed when she visited last night was doing as he should.
“Worry about your visit, Sydnee,” I told her. “Kayden’s visit doesn’t concern you.”
Sydnee huffed a breath, picking up her fork and stabbing her eggs, but she didn’t say anything else.
Mother cleared her throat. “Now that we’re all here,” she began, gracefully changing the subject, “I want to congratulate both of you. Kayden, Sydnee, you’ve worked hard to make it this far, outlasting eighteen other women who would love to be in your shoes. You’re both quite deserving of this.”
Sydnee beamed at my mother, but I didn’t miss the side-eye she gave Kayden. To her credit, Kayden just ignored the other woman and said a polite thank you.
“What are you most excited about for your home visits?” she asked, engaging both of them in easy conversation throughout the rest of breakfast. I was supremely grateful because it would have been quite awkward without my mother there to keep the conversation rolling.
Once we’d finished breakfast, Willow was telling the women they were free to spend the day however they pleased, as long as an official accompanied them. Once she finished, I pulled her to the side.
“I’d like to arrange another date with Kayden today since the competitions have been canceled.” I kept my voice low, so neither of them would hear. No reason to upset Sydnee anymore, and I wanted it to be a surprise for Kayden.
“Do you have something in mind?” She glanced at her tablet. “I have another appointment in ten minutes. Walk with me.”
I nodded, glancing behind me as I left the room with Willow. Kayden was watching us, her eyes sad. We’d barely interacted at breakfast, but what was I supposed to do? I couldn’t have a conversation with her lately that didn’t end in a fight, and I certainly had no desire to do that in front of an audience.
“Can you get Helen to come out and give Kayden and me a cooking lesson?”
Willow smiled. “That sounds like fun. But I’m pretty sure you’ve had enough lessons from her to know how to cook, right?”
“Yes, but I think Kayden would enjoy the experience.” I remembered her saying that she never really learned much about cooking, and she’d loved the food we’d had on the beach.
“I’ll get it taken care of. Does dinnertime work? Anything sooner might be hard to arrange at the last minute.”
“That’s fine. Thank you, Willow.”
I returned to the dining room, only to find that Kayden had slipped out. Disappointment sat heavy, tension wearing me thin. I’d be so glad when all of this was over so Kayden and I could just be together without all the bullshit of this Contention.