(Author's note. This Scene is with Greyson not the real Chase)
Tilly Ann POV
The annual Dragon Riders' Tournament was the highlight of the season.
Every noble house within five kingdoms sent their best, and Castle Winchester's training grounds was transformed into a spectacle.
But my mood was foul.
I spent the night trying to get Chase Dubois out of my head.
Trying to forget him.
Telling myself I didn't care which version of him showed up anymore, as long as he stayed away.
That night I searched for reasons to loathe him. Reasons to make sure that the next time I saw him, all he would see in me was hate. Just that. No in-between. Just pure hate.
And knowing I would see him today at the dragon ball, made me all the more desperate and miserable.
And I was spreading my misery at will.
I knew this because my best friend Electra told me so approximately six times since breakfast.
"You're snapping at everyone, Tilly. Even the stable boys. Even Kessington."
"Kessington deserves snapping."
"Kessington simply asked if you wanted breakfast."
I focused on grooming my father's horse.
"Does your foul mood perhaps..." Electra moved closer to me, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "...have anything to do with Chase?"
Something went off in my head. I focused all my attention on saddling horsey. "Chase who? I don't know anyone by that name."
Electra's face said it all. "Okay. But easy on the horsey. She's old, and she's not he who shall not be named."
"Electra! I'm alright!" I snapped at her.
She nodded. Her countenance saying just the opposite. "Of course, you are"
The tournament grounds buzzed with activity.
Merchants hawked flags bearing the colors of competing houses.
Children darted between legs, shrieking with delight. And everywhere—everywhere—there were girls.
Girls with their hair loose and their bodices cut low. Girls giggling behind their hands.
Girls pretending to adjust their saddles while sneaking glances toward the Lycan family—special guests of honor of Castle Winchester—who were taking their seats.
Girls fawning ...at him.
Chase.
Standing by his father and pretending he didn't notice me.
His jacket was discarded somewhere, his shirtsleeves rolled to the elbow, his dark hair wind-tangled in a way that looked deliberate.
Ass or not, he was breathtaking in a way that would render even a nun speechless.
He was leaning against the fence of the main arena, laughing at something a blonde girl was saying, her hand on his arm like she'd forgotten it was there.
I didn't recognize her. Probably some minor nobleman's daughter, who had spent all morning perfecting her laugh.
I blinked and went back to saddling horsey.
"Seriously, Princess, you are hurting the horse! That saddle is too tight!"
I tuned Electra's voice out and focused on anything but Chase Dubois. Stupid, flirting-with-the-blonde Chase Dubois.
I watched her fingers curl into the fabric of his sleeve. Watched him lean closer, his mouth near her ear, his smile easy and warm. Watched her blush and laugh and touch him again.
My grip on the mane tightened.
"You're going to pull her spine out." It was Kessington this time, appearing at my elbow with a tankard of ale and a smirk that made me want to hit him. "Easy, girl. I got you." He took the saddle from me.
"I was grooming her," I complained.
"Were you? Because I thought you were committing murder. Poor Horsey." Kessington patted the beast, whispering something to soothe her. "Why are you glaring at the Lycan prince like you want to set him on fire?"
"I am not. I don't think about him at all."
Kessington snorted. "Right. That's why you've braided the same section of Horsey's mane four times and attempted her murder."
I looked down. He was right. My face went hot.
"I'm not—I don't—he's not worth—"
"You're jealous, sister."
"I'm not."
"You're jealous," Kessington repeated, savoring the word like a fine wine. "My little sister. Jealous of a rake. I never thought I'd see the day. Maybe father shouldn't suspend the marriage anymore"
"I am not jealous of Chase Dubois. I hate Chase Dubois. I want him to fall into a pit of—"
"Then why are you still watching him?"
I snapped my head around. Kessington was grinning, that insufferable brother-grin that meant he'd won and we both knew it.
"I'm watching the tournament."
"Mm-hm. And does the tournament require you to know exactly how many girls have touched his arm since breakfast?"
"I don't—"
"Seven. I had Barney count for me. I thought you would want to know"
I picked up a handful of grooming dust and threw it at him. He dodged, laughing, and jogged backward toward the betting booths with his hands raised in surrender.
"Don't kill him, Tilly! But I've got coin on you breaking his nose before the tournament ends!"
I gave him the middle finger. He laughed harder.
I was still fuming when the opening ceremonies began.
The competitors lined up in the sky.
I stood with the Winchester delegation, my gown swapped for riding leathers, my hair braided tight against my scalp.
I wasn't competing—royals didn't compete until they had their own dragon—but I could have stayed home. Should have. Anything would be better than standing here, watching him ignore me.
Then Chase demanded to ride a dragon.
It was ridiculous, really.
A wolf trying to ride a fire-breathing beast. I thought Father would decline. He would surely decline. A wolf couldn't possibly ride a dragon. The end result would be dead. Stone cold dead.
To my surprise, Alpha Kale didn't object, and my father was happy to oblige. Maybe he thought if he broke his neck, then he will have no need to force the marriage and Ze will get to keep the Alpha's gold too.
No one asked me what I thought. Not that I did.
And just like that, I found myself holding my breath as he was led to a beast called Emperor. A copper-scaled thing with a vicious temper and the wingspan of a small village.
"Are you going to stop him?" Electra said, fear in her voice.
"No," I stated as a matter of fact.
"Then I guess you are about to get your wish, Tilly Ann. Poor handsome Chase Dubois is about to be dragon food."
I felt my heart squeeze. "I'm not his father. Let his father stop him. I'm not responsible for whatever happens to Chase Dubois."
"Tilly. Are you sure?" Electra chastised.
"I'm serious." I held her gaze. "I'm done with Chase Dubois."