Dieter's Prize

Five

Crispin's POV

Carter's loud snores filled the room as he lay against me. Or should I say hung against me? He wanted to sleep in the bed with me, and after his bath, he had become agitated so I gave in a bit too easily. 

It was now one in the morning and I lay there wide awake. Staring at the ceiling, in the room that was supposed to be just for Carter, letting Rena have her own space. But also William was not a fan of me trying to lay by another when we knew our mate was so close by.

Mate. 

I had a mate.

And it was the most rugged-looking man I had ever seen. He was daringly handsome, in an intimidating way. And his voice was so deep it caused the room to shake. Or perhaps that was just my perception. 

He stared at me for ages, I could feel his eyes trail me. Those hazel almost amber-like eyes swallowed me whole every time we made eye contact. It was overwhelming, to say the least.

Then there was his interaction with Carter. 

He had been so...kind to him. 

It only made the sentiment worse when Finnick said he was not much of a talker, and I could tell. But the fact he still entertained Carter, going against his nature did something to me. 

Dieter. 

A strong name. A name that demanded respect and attention. As well as his presence. 

He was...I don't know. We seemed so different in a lot of ways. He leads a large pack, and mine minuscule. Would he see me as less of a leader because of it? Did he think me poor and incapable? 

These are thoughts I'd never had before...until now.

These were also the thoughts that were keeping me wide awake.

He lived hours...days away. On the east coast and we lived in the North. Two very different worlds or so it seems. Though I wondered if mine would be enough.

Plus after this weekend when would I see him again? We both had packs to lead, him more than me. But neither of us could just pick up and leave for days at a time. It was like the moon goddess blessed me with a mate that I can't have. 

I sighed, finally feeling slightly tired, but what helped my body sleep faster was knowing that when I woke up, I would get to see him again. Even if it is just for two days. I would cherish them. 

*****

"Oh, James no. Please no. I don't want to do this." Finnick sighed as we walked into his training center. 

I was hyperaware of Dieter behind me, his gaze burning a hole in the back of my head. I was hoping there would be a time for us alone so we could speak to one another and just learn about each other. 

Though he was standoffish there was so much more there that I wanted to uncover. And I knew that once I did, I would be the only one to know it. And that caused such excitement in me.

"We are fighting, like men!" James yelled as he ran into a sparing circle. I inwardly groaned but held in my discomfort. I wasn't much of a fighter, personally, I despised it. But if it was needed I was able to hold my own. 

"No this isn't fair! You already know Dieter is going to win!" Alexander chimed in and pointed to Dieter who stood with his arms crossed and his hair pulled back. Which made the scar on his face even more prominent. I wondered what the story was behind it.