Page 856 of The Bonding Games: Part 1

It feels as though our gazes stay locked forever, unwaveringly focused on one another, the blood rushing in my ears the only backdrop. But I know it’s less than a second before sound slams back into focus. And it is unbearable.

HC’s hand tightens around mine, the only sign of her discomfort as literal screams ring out, the flashes and countless clicks of cameras diabolical. A faint tremor runs through her and into me, and my fingers grip on to her more securely as I help her down to the purest-white carpet that leads all the way to the massive gold-and-ivory building behind us titled HALFWAY BALL high up on its curved exterior. The place stands out shockingly against the surrounding glinting black structures everywhere else and the cloudless night sky above.

Are you okay? I try to push down the bond. Or shove, more like.

It’s necessary when attempting to get through to Ezla in any way.

Fine. Her response comes too quickly to be entirely truthful, but even I know now’s not the time to push her on this. I’m just thankful she let me into her mind without a hitch.

Tiger, Alby, and Scotty have already formed a line, Tate waiting for me and Vengeance slightly further back, and I lead her over, linking her arm through mine, blood heating as her hand comes to rest on my forearm. Tiger does the same on her right, flashing his usual smile to rival the light of the cameras. But that happiness is only there and genuine right now in all this chaos because of our Bonded. Because he gets to touch her like this. I more than understand the feeling—it’s still a miracle every time one of us gets so close to her.

But the moment is ruined as invasive questions, ridiculous remarks, and atrocious announcements keep being thrown our way, mostly Vengeance’s. And they’re truly fucking awful, no shame whatsoever.

I hate violence.

But I’d love to shove these cameras right up each one of their owner’s asses.

“EZLA?! ARE WE GETTING THIS?! THE BONDING GAMES CHAMPION: FINALLY REVEALED! BEAUTY OR NIGHTMARE?!”

“WHAT’S THAT ON YOUR FACE, CHAMPION?! CAN WE GET A FEW WORDS FOR THE VIEWERS ACROSS THE GLOBE?”

“THE CHAMPION’S FACE REVEALED AT LAST—”

“CHAMPION! CHAMPION! LOOK OVER HERE! SHOW US YOUR RIGHT SIDE!”

“HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR STATUS AS THE LARGEST BONDED GROUP EVER FORMED?!”

“CHAMPION, IS YOUR EYE RED?! IS THAT AVRI?!”

“OVER HERE! SMILE FOR THE CAMERA! MAKE SURE YOUR RIGHT EYE IS VISIBLE!”

“ARE YOU WITH ALL YOUR BONDED? HAVE YOU BEEN INTIMATE WITH EVERY ONE OF THEM, EZLA?! WHO WAS YOUR FAVOURITE AND WHY—”

“IS THIS A NEW FASHION STATEMENT?! EZLA?! CHAMPION?!”

I can’t hold back my snarl at that one.

A fucking fashion statement? Is that cunting, fucking bastard for real?

Nah, fuck this. I’m gonna bash his thick skull—

Calm.

Stiffening, I slowly turn my head to Vengeance.

Calm? I echo. How can I be calm?! Can you not hear the shit they’re saying?!

Her voice of velvet sin comes again: This is not surprising. We were prepared for this.

And? Give me the fucking word, and I’ll kill every one of them.

You hate violence.

Not when it comes to you—to protecting you.

Hm.

And that’s her dismissing me.