even though he knew they weren’t what he was looking for.
If Teague and Gunther pressured him, he’d probably cave and extend an offer to one of them. They needed someone in their training facility soon or their parents were going to force them to do more than just attend the occasional diplomatic meeting on their behalf; they’d make them find mates once and for all. As the heirs to the trio of allied Southern Hills Clans, their respective clocks were ticking, but Jacob still had faith that Gerri Wilder would come through and find them one woman they could share, despite his father’s skepticism.
Their only reprieve had been his insistence that if the champions they trained were victorious, it could earn their clans notoriety and give them leverage in trade negotiations with other clans.
“Did you see that?” Teague asked, tilting his chin to the tiger shifter in arena at that moment. “Kid’s got quite the spring in his haunches. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone catch that much air who didn’t have wings. How ‘bout him?”
“He’s heavy footed and I can hear him breathing all the way up here. Those traits are hard to train out of someone.”
Teague squinted and cocked his head as if listening, then snorted and shook his head in resignation.
“How many are left?” Gunther asked.
Jacob stood to regain some circulation in his legs as he consulted the list. The tiger shifter was the last, but another candidate had failed to show at their designated time earlier, so they may have come late and had to move to the back of the line. “Maybe one, not sure.”
The referees cleared the arena and went to work checking the obstacle course for the next tryout. Jacob flipped the page over and peeked at the notes he’d scribbled next to a few of the candidates that had question marks beside them.
“Uh-oh,” Gunther rumbled, nudging Jacob with an elbow. “Not sure if this is good news or bad news, Jakey. Better have a look.”
He glanced up, then sat bolt upright when he caught sight of Gerri Wilder making her way around the edge of the arena, her attention fixed squarely on the three of them. There weren’t many people left in the stands, and all eyes were on the matchmaker.
“Shit,” Jacob muttered, because even he couldn’t decide whether her visit was good or bad. If she’d found them a mate after four years, he should rejoice. It was just difficult to wrap his head around shifting gears so quickly. He and his partners loved training champions, and he didn’t think any of them were ready to settle down in their little hilltop villages so soon.
Gerri Wilder kind of scared him a little too. She had a bit of swagger in her step and an enigmatic smile he couldn’t figure out. He wasn’t sure if he liked that glint in her eyes, either. Despite the accolades she’d received and the rumor she had a perfect record for making matches, that look definitely spelled danger to him. So he made sure to brace himself by the time she climbed the steps, stopping only when she was standing just above him, looking down, one step down from where Teague was sitting.
“Greetings Mrs. Wilder,” Gunther said with a nod. “To what do we owe the pleasure this fine evening?”
Jacob cleared his throat, kicking himself for just staring. “Not that we aren’t happy to see you, but you didn’t need to go to the trouble of coming all the way down here. You could’ve simply called.”
Shit, did he sound snippy? He hoped not. Still, Teague’s eyes widened and he mouthed “what the fuck?” from behind Gerri.
“Anyone ever tell you how gorgeous you are?” Teague asked, redirecting his attention to her as he slid to the side to get a better look. “And I mean truly radiant. You put younger women to shame.”
“Teague . . .” Jacob admonished. Gerri only laughed and turned, patting Teague on the shoulder before giving him a once-over. She graced both Jacob and Gunther with the same assessing look that left Jacob feeling a little like she’d just mentally undressed him.
“My, my, I do see what a seamless trio you three make. I came down on official business, since my presence was actually required for this, so don’t get upset. There is someone I believe you three need to meet. But first, I need you to keep an open mind. This young dragon aspires to train as a champion. I understand you