Dove Prescott is forced into a dangerous game of cat and mouse after another failed attempt to escape from her boyfriend turned captor.
Fleeing from town to town, Dove has stayed one-heart stopping step ahead of the monster who is hunting, tormente...
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Voices carried through the trees, there was a viciousness to them that set my teeth on edge. I cast a quick glance in Astrid's direction, falling back a couple of steps. I couldn't be completely sure of what her motives were for bringing me out here. I wasn't a fool. I'd hidden my gun in my boot, but it made my steps awkward, slow, and heavy. It was meant to be my last resort. In case things got carried away. I was grateful when the forest began to thin out and we stepped out into a clearing.
There was a small crowd and they were gathered around two women who were sparring at the center. They pushed at one another to be at the front, striking out when the girls stepped too close to the edge. I knew that their society was built on violence and strength, but I'd never seen it like this. The smell of blood and sweat hung heavy in the air, it made my stomach churn. Thankfully, I felt relief when I spied Dace among the group. At least that would save me the trouble of calling him. Our eyes met and I noticed surprise written on his face. He pushed his way through the bodies, meeting us halfway.
"What is she doing here?" He asked in a harsh whisper as he grabbed hold of my arm, stopping me from getting any closer to the other werewolves.
Astrid blinked, slow. "We're getting to know each other better."
Dace postured himself against her. "You can't just bring her—"
"Watch your mouth. I don't answer to you." Venom dripped from Astrid's voice, making me stiffen.
Dace frowned, clearing his throat. "Rhys said—"
"I've done nothing but talk to the girl." Her response was calmer this time. She turned to me. "Isn't that right?"
I swallowed, glancing at Dace. "It's true. I'm fine." And I would continue to be fine as long as I had anything to say about it.
"You heard it. Straight from the human's mouth." Astrid wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me forward. Dace didn't try to stop her this time, but his wary expression told me that I had been wise to bring my gun. Her embrace would've fooled most people into thinking she liked me – but it felt more like the coil of snake slowly choking the life out of its prey before it could consume it.
As we grew closer to the crowd I noticed that the two women were more than simply sparring. They playing some kind of gladiator game, trying to push each other out of a ring made of stones. Blood and sweat dripped down into the dirt below them. The smaller of the two women was on the ground and it looked like she was about to be tossed out of the circle. At the last moment, she arched up and popped her leg out, kicking her opponent in the face. The crowd cheered as the larger one stumbled back, tripping over a stone and landing on the ground outside the circle.
"What is this?"
"This is how we test ourselves." Her arm fell from my shoulder.
I turned my face to meet her cold gaze. "Why are we here?"
