Chapter 43: Awards

River

The awards ceremony after the tournament was the least of River’s concerns. He had a few minutes to go to the restroom and splash some water on his face and wash off the blood from the wound in his neck. The healer had bandaged him up pretty good, and it wasn’t hurting any more, thanks to his wolf genes’ super healing abilities. So at least he didn’t have to worry about that. But while he was in the bathroom, looking in the mirror, he had to ask himself a question.

Was this what they both wanted?

Outside of the restroom, his mother was waiting for him. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “I’m so proud of you, honey.”

“Thank you, Mom,” he said, but as soon as she pulled back and he saw the look on her face, he knew that she had heard the lack of confidence in his voice.