BUNNY

Spending my heat with Keegan had been…something. I felt more connected to him than ever, and we were officially dating now. Future be damned. Keegan Beackman is my boyfriend, and nothing could destroy the happiness I was feeling. Maybe I had spoken too soon. Two days after recovering from my heat cycle, I was back working at the barn with the horses. Competition week was finally over, and as the guests started to leave, the hotel and the ranch became more peaceful. We could finally breathe for a while. Until I was giving one of the horses a snack, and a familiar voice called my name.

“Meadow.” I rolled my eyes at Samir Li’s voice and turned to look at him.

“Samir. I thought you already left.” I said with a gentle smile, holding back from showing my true feelings.

“I couldn’t leave before trying to convince you to come with me once again.” He said in a serious tone, and I let out a deep sigh. ‘Patience, Meadow. Patience.’ I thought to myself.

“Look, Samir. I have made myself clear many times. I don’t want to go professional, I don’t like competitions. I ride horses for fun, not for money and awards.” I politely explained to Samir, and then asked. “Is that too hard to understand?”

“But you are wasting your talent. You can still enjoy competing as I do or even Emil.” He said serious. At the mention of my best friend, I frowned. He acted as if he cared, but also ignored his fated mate. I was sick and tired of this game, and a plan formed in my head.

“Let’s do something. I challenge you to compete against me. If you win, I will go with you, but if I win, you owe me something.” I suggested, and with an arched brow, I asked. “Deal?” 

“Sounds like a good deal.” He smiled, confident. And I smiled back. I didn’t want to show weakness to him. I was confident enough that I could beat him.

~oOoOo~

“Meadow. Is it true?” Emil asked me as I changed the hay in one of the horse stalls. I hadn’t heard him coming inside. “Did you challenge Samir?”

“Yes, I did. I was so done with him, Em. I had to do it.” I said, putting the hay in its place and then turning to my friend.

“Are you sure you can beat him?” He asked with furrowed brows. 

“Oh, I will. For me.” I said confidently, and then added. “And for you.”

“What? I already beat him many times.” Emil said, confused at my words.

“I know, but this time it is different.” I mentioned, and Emil’s confusion grew.

“Huh? What are you planning? Tell me.” He asked with an arched brow.

“I told Samir that if he wins, I will go with him. But if I win, he will owe me something.” I explained. “I’m going to tell him to leave me alone, and to finally accept that you are his fated mate.”

“What? Why would you do the second part?” Emil asked, almost screaming at me.

“Em, I was going to ask for your permission.” I said, looking into my friend’s eyes. I tried to explain my reason. “As annoying as Samir is, I know deep down you still want him. And I want him to notice you. I want you to be happy.”

“Oh, Meads…” Emil said, and then hugged me. I corresponded to the hug. “Are you sure about this? What if you lose?”

“I won’t. I promise.” I said, reassuring him. I broke the hug and looked back into his face. “So what do you say? Will you give me permission? Your whole family will be there.”

“I want you to do it. I’m tired of hiding it.” He nodded, and gave me his permission.

“I will win. Trust me.” I said, confidently to myself, my skills and my dear horse, Chardonneigh. 

~oOoOo~

“Are you ready to beat his ass, Bunbun?” Keegan asked me before I mounted Chardonneigh. The whole family had gathered at the outdoor arena. Luckily for us, some of the judges hadn’t checked out yet, and Jeremiah had convinced them to judge the private competition. 

“I’m ready. Don’t worry. I will win.” I smiled at him.

“I know. You got this, Bunbun.” Keegan said with a proud smile. I gave him one last passionate kiss. The Beackmans hollered, reacting to the scene. I broke apart from the kiss with a big smile. “Getting yourself some courage, are you?

“A little bit. I will be back, babe.” I said with a wink.

I mounted Chardonneigh and walked close to where Samir was. He gave me a sly grin, and I smiled at him confidently. Was I nervous? Yes. But I wouldn’t let it take over. I had to win. For me and for Emil. My eyes searched for my friend; we locked eyes, and he nodded at me with a thumbs-up gesture. As soon as Samir and I gave the go-ahead, the competition started. The course for today had been prepared for a Jumping show; multiple obstacles and vaults were placed around the arena. The fastest to complete the course without mistakes would be the winner. Samir decided to go first, and once he was done with his routine, he acted all proud, puffing his chest. Not a single mistake was made by him and his horse. I ignored him and focused on my turn. 

“We got this, buddy.” I whispered to my horse and then locked in on the view ahead. 

I fixed my posture and went to the starting point. All passed in the blink of an eye, and soon I was back at the starting point. I was sure I hadn’t made any mistakes. I had done a perfect routine. And so did Samir. Everything depended on the judges now. I dismounted from my horse and patted him carefully. 

“You did a great job. We did.” I said with a deep sigh. 

“You did, but I don’t think it was enough.” Samir said beside me. 

“We will see about that.” I said, frowning at him.

Once the judges had made a decision, we gathered in front of them. The Beackmans watched from the bleachers. The tension in the air was intense. But not all of them knew what was at stake. The silence from the judges was killing me, and then, they finally spoke.

“After further deliberation, we are going to announce the winner. By a difference of 3 seconds in completing the course…” The judge started to say. My heart jumped from my chest hearing how close it had been. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “The winner is Mr Malloy.”

“Yes! That’s my Bunbun!” Keegan screamed, and his family burst into applause. 

“Thank you, judges.” I said with a big smile. I felt a heavy weight lift off my shoulders.

“Well, you did. You won. Congratulations.” Samir said, defeated and let out sigh. “I owe you one now.”

“I would like to use my favor now.” I said with a serious tone. He looked taken aback by how fast I wanted to cash in the favor.

“What do you want me to do?” He asked, confused but also curious. 

“I want you to stop begging me to compete.” I said in a serious tone. Samir let out a sigh and nodded, defeated. I looked for Emil. My friend nodded. I turned back to the alpha and said out loud. “And I want you to recognize Emil as your fated mate finally.”

“What?” He asked in shock at my statement. Gasps came from the bleachers at the revelation. 

“You heard me. Emil is your fated mate, and you should court him.” I said in a firm tone, crossing my arms over my chest.

“But you won’t have it easy. You have to win me over after ignoring me all these years.” Emil said. I hadn’t noticed he had walked up to us. Samir was stunned, unable to speak. He gave one last look to Emil and then walked away fast, running away from the confrontation. Emil shrugged. “Well, we tried.”

“I’m sorry, Em. We did try.” I said with a sigh, disappointed at Samir’s reaction. He was probably afraid of the Beackmans. But that didn’t justify his actions.

Soon, we were surrounded by the whole Beackman family. Questions were thrown out. The Beackman family was known to be nosy and curious. The sudden revelation of their youngest having a fated mate gained all the attraction. Emil acted as if he was fine, but as his best friend, I knew he wanted to go back to his room and cry. I felt for my friend and wished his asshole of an alpha would get the pants to face him one day. But for now, it was time to head back home, and for them to love bomb and comfort Emil. Because that was what the Beackmans were professionals at.