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“A world apart,” I admitted.
It was almost jarring how normal everything was. Everyone seemed so free.
“I know,” she agreed. “When I first arrived, I couldn’t believe it either. It’s nothing like I thought.”
“Me too. And after spending nine months in the facility, it almost feels too good to be true.” My fingers curled around the mug as if it would float away.
Her brows furrowed. “They kept you in the facility?”
“Of course. Where else would they put me?”
“Well, you beat the other Hunts,” Isolde said tentatively. “I assumed you’d be in a home somewhere until the next one.”
Um, what?
“Why would I be in a home? How would I even afford one?” I asked, confusion settling over me.
What was Isolde talking about? Her question was laughable. There was no freedom for us; we were prisoners until we became someone else’s problem.
She gave me a befuddled look. “But you . . . you made it to the end. And there are three months between each Hunt.”
“I did, and there is. What does that have to do with anything?”
Her concern sent a chill down my spine. I was missing something.
Uncertain, Isolde spoke carefully. “So, they kept you in those cells? And you were, what, just held until the next Hunt?”
I took a deep breath, muting the storm of my emotions. Those endless days and nights in the facility were some of the longest of my life. “That’s pretty accurate.”
Isolde’s eyes shone with understanding. She discreetly slid her chair closer.
“That violates the rules of the Hunt.” Isolde’s voice gentled as if she were afraid for me to react badly. “Sanctioned packs are informed that participation is voluntary after the first initial Hunt.” She used her fork to play with the crumbs on her plate.
Shit. The Council was lying about the rules.
As if she could read my thoughts, she nodded.
“Why haven’t you told your mates about any of it?”
Her brows furrowed. “You mean the path?”
“Yes.”
“I wasn’t sure if it was real or a hopeful idea for doomed Omegas,” she said earnestly.
I lowered my voice. “And now?”
“Now—” she leaned over the table “—I think it’s time to have a conversation with my unit.”
I nodded, not needing her to say the rest out loud. Their conversation likely meant I would be called on as well. Talking about the Hunt or the Council with the Alpha wasn’t originally in my plans, but things had changed. What would it mean for my search for Blythe? Would the Alpha know I was holding back information? My stomach turned over at the thought.
“The Council never expected any of us to win even once. You know firsthand how we’re treated. They put us at an even bigger disadvantage right from the start. The only way to win is with the impossible clause they put in. The five-win rule.”
“How can you be sure that isn’t another lie? What if you survived all five Hunts and they still kept you?”
The words poured from my mouth before I could think better of it. “Because my father was the Council member who fought for the rule. Once enacted, all members are bound by magic to follow the law.”
Isolde’s eyes widened.
