(Zorya)
I returned to The Clinic three days later.
My throat still hurt, but I had to continue.
To my dismay, Shade was gone.
Tatiana asked me to clean the Medical bay and get it ready for the Warriors coming in for their preliminary evaluations before the tournament.
The air was frigid with the smell of antiseptic and cold steel.
I cleaned every surface and arranged the medical supplies: handheld scanners, ECG patches, antiseptic wipes, sterile gloves, stethoscopes, and thermometers.
Ashlia brought inside a clipboard with the list of names for the warriors.
“We will be inspecting them one by one.
Checking their heart rate, blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, temperature, hydration and any injuries they might have.”
I nodded, ready to help her run this smoothly and get it done with.
A tiny flicker of hope, like a hatchling ready for its first flight, my heart wondered if Shade would come too.
I stole a glance at the clipboard.
To my disappointment, I didn’t find his name.
Has he still not recovered?
One by one, the warriors entered the medical bay.
They only wore grey sweatpants and no shirts or shoes.
Every single one of them had a collar around their neck with the sigil of their respective packs.
Their hulking bodies screamed of the continuous hours they had spent training.
We used hand scanners to scan their torsos and log their heart rates and blood oxygen levels with the aid of ECG patches.
In some cases, we used stethoscopes too.
Ashlia logged the results into the work tablet.
I took their blood pressure and temperature.
Some were humans; others were shifters who terrified me.
Some cooperated and came inside alone.
Others needed to be controlled by the sentries so we could inspect them and take readings.
Death danced in the eyes of a few while fear resided in others.
I wondered how many of them were going to make it.
“You are a pretty thing.
A very lucky Alpha owns you,” the man I was taking the temperature of lustfully said.
His dark brown eyes sparkled with heinous depravity, making me cringe.
“She belongs to Alpha Caliath, and unless you want to end up in tiny chopped pieces, you will keep your hands to yourself, Madric,” Ashlia warned without even glancing up from the tablet she was holding.
The man fearfully backed away from me as if I would somehow sting him.
Irrespective of her calm demeanour, Ashlia seemed to know how to handle these brutes.
I was grateful to her.
My thankful eyes wavered to her, and she winked, making me let out a smile.
Only one warrior more for the check-up after him.
When he left, I turned to Ashlia and asked.
“How does this tournament work?”
She was typing in the information of the warrior we had cleared after screening.
“Win or die.
That’s how these work.
The last man standing is considered the champion.
Madric is the reigning champion, hence the cockiness.
He is ruthless, but Xalik hasn’t lost a fight since he was brought here and is becoming a crowd favourite.
This will be Xalik’s first tournament.”
Xalik…that was the last name on the list… the only warrior left for his check-up.
The door opened, and Rami popped his head in.
“Can I borrow you?” He asked Ashlia, trying not to smile, but the way his eyes sparkled seeing her told me he valued her a lot.
“One warrior left, and then I will be free.”
“I am sure Zorya can handle the last one.
It’s urgent,” he pleaded.
Stepping forward, I took the tablet from Ashlia.
“Go, I can do it.” I gestured with my head.
She appreciatively nodded before leaving.
I focused on the tablet.
There was no internet or WiFi option.
It was a simple work tablet, ensuring we could never contact anyone through it.
They had snatched my phone and thrown it in the fire when I was captured.
Who was I even going to contact?
No one was coming for me.
Lost in my thoughts, I heard the door opening, and someone entered.
“Please, take a seat on the bed, and we will begin the evaluation,” I said without glancing in the direction of who had come through.
A looming but warm presence I felt behind me. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Quickly, I turned and collided with a naked chest.
My nose hit his sternum, filling my nostrils with his petrichor and earthy scent.
Cosy and yet complex.
It made me shudder, and I lost my balance, trying to step back.
“Ah!” My scream died in my throat when strong arms caught me mid-air.
My eyes locked onto his enchanting triple-shaded ones.
Speckles of silver and uncharted emotions danced in them.
A single lock of his ebony strands fell in front.
My hands flew to hold his corded shoulders, trying to calm down the rapid beatings of my overexcited heart and also to steady myself.
It was him…how was he here?
His hard-edged and ruggedly handsome face was only a breath away from mine.
“I am sorry, I startled you.”
His rugged but warm hands curled around the curves of my waist, sending a sizzle through my body, so very different from Caliath.
Not revolting, not harsh.
But like a sunny day or the feeling you have when you taste freshly baked buns.
I should speak…but I didn’t know what to say except ogle at him with my mouth slightly parted and eyes blown wide.
God seemed to have taken His special time while carving this one.
Seeing my reaction, his sleek but slightly damp lips spread out into a gorgeous smile.
His face brightened like the spring sun.
A dimple appeared in his right cheek.
Damn!
This man was beyond gorgeous.
No one has the right to look this fine.
“I think you like the view,” he teasingly commented, and I realised I was shamelessly staring.
My cheeks burnt from the thought of how shameless I appeared.
Quickly, I let go of his shoulders.
“I am sorry…..Please, straighten me up,” I requested in a small, shy voice which came out like a squeak.
His boisterous laugh rang out, adding to my embarrassment.
I scrambled away from him in fright.
The thought of someone seeing us or hearing us suddenly gripped my brain.