Page 96 of Midnight Hunt
So, despite the terror filling my own veins, I stood taller and said, “If it’s power you seek, then you need to earn it.”
He cocked his head to the side in curiosity. “I’m listening.”
Holy crap, I didn’t think he would go for that. He mustreallywant me as his alpha female.
All too aware of Ivan standing still as stone beside me, I said, “I don’t know what your plan is for this claiming tonight, but if your pack’s goal is to claim and mate the females here, then a traditional hunt is the only way to earn that right.”
Just as I thought, excitement rippled through the pack of males. It was in their DNA to hunt and chase their prey, and that included their pursuit of a mate. Now that I’d planted the idea in their heads, they wouldn’t be able to resist it.
Sure enough, the hunger in Atticus’s eyes deepened. “Go on.”
“The females are given a head start. The males must wait until they can no longer see them before giving chase. If the male catches a female and she submits, then he’s allowed to claim her.”
The males rumbled their eagerness, clearly on board with the plan.
“But there’s one problem with that plan,” I continued, and the males fell silent. Pointing at my collar, I said, “If we run, we trigger our collars. Where’s the challenge if we’re all on the ground, writhing in pain?”
Aaaand I’d said the magic word.Challenge. Every dominant male loved a challenge, and calling them out for cheating kicked every single one of their inflated egos.
“Where’s the challenge, indeed?” Attitcus mused, watching me closely as he tugged on a chain around his neck and revealed the attached remote.
My heart skipped a beat, but otherwise, I didn’t react. So close.So close. All he had to do was push the button and unlock the collars. Sable rose up as much as she was allowed, preparing to take over the second the collar fell away. She yearned to sink her claws and fangs into every single male here, especially Atticus, but I’d seen the pile of weapons stacked behind them.
One silver bullet to the heart could kill me. My need for vengeance was strong, but my need for survival was stronger. Once we were free of the collar, Sable and I would have to ignore our instincts and flee. It was the only way we could lead the other females to safety.
Toying with the remote for several torturous moments, Atticus finally said, “Unfortunately, removing your collars gives you too much power, and we have no intention of losing any females tonight.” I watched with dismay as he tucked the remote back inside his shirt. “Don’t worry, though. The collars won’t be triggered so long as you stay within the five mile perimeter surrounding the compound. There are traps just beyond that, so I highly suggest you don’t try to escape. And don’t forget that any attempt to remove the collar, shift, or use magic will result in an extremely painful silver injection.”
With each word he spoke, my plan crumbled more and more. We werehelplesswith the collars on, especially with the ever-looming threat of the needles.
As I watched our only leverage slip away, I blurted out, “No weapons, then.”
Atticus lifted an eyebrow at me.
“It’s only fair,” I pressed. “The females aren’t being allowed weapons, so the males shouldn’t have any either.”
Atticus stared at me hard, no doubt calculating the risks—and wondering what I was up to. I stared right back, lifting my chin a notch.
After a few moments, a smile slowly spread across his face. “Deal,” he purred. “My men will wait to begin the hunt until every female is out of sight. Without weapons. Let The Claiming begin.”
My breath seized in my lungs.
His smile turned downright wicked. “That’s your cue, ladies. I suggest you all run.”
33
VIOLET
I ran like the wind, my feet barely touching the snow-covered ground.
Determination fueled me, along with a heavy dose of terror.
Worried that the other females would panic and scatter, I barked, “Follow me!” before taking off down the mountain. So far, it sounded like they’d obeyed me, but they barely knew me. Once the males started to pursue us, their fear would override common sense.
The second we all disappeared from sight, dozens of eerie howls lit up the night.
The chase was on.
Several females cried out in fear, but before they could bolt, I snapped, “Stick together!”
