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Valor managed to drop the bottle right next to a vent behind the table. I slid the nano-hacker between the metal slats and grabbed the water before standing.
Phase one: complete.
***
An hour later, we all fell silent as three men in long purple robes positioned themselves at the front of the room. My wolf growled as Councilman Raza stepped forward and clasped his hands behind his back, surveying the crowd.
His dimpled face shone with barely contained delight at the sight of our agitation. Some males were hardly able to remain in their seats. Despite his veneer of cool indifference, I saw the cogs turning in his mind as he considered the best way to approach us.
Odd.
Something is wrong, my wolf warned.
I had to agree.
It was supposed to be a standard Hunt, but the careful way Councilman Raza inspected us set off my internal alarm system. My wolf brushed against my skin, conveying his distaste for the older shifter.
My eyes met Korren’s, and our bond flared with tension. Valor shifted closer, readying himself for what was to come.
“Thank you all for joining us in this spring’s Hunt,” Raza said, his voice absent of inflection. “As you all know, we gather eligible units to participate in this claiming ceremony four times a year. It is the Council’s privilege to create unions that will save us from the extinction the Black War foretold.”
The Black War was a battle between witches and shifters nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. A group of black witches tried to enslave shifters, and our ancestors fought back, resulting in years of bloodshed. At the end of the war, the witches cursed the shifters, making all shifter females barren. The Goddess then blessed shifter Omegas with fertility to counteract the curse.
The second and oldest councilman, Councilman Dario, approached the dais and pressed a button. A large projector screen began to descend from the ceiling.
“Are they giving a presentation?” Valor whispered.
“Seems unlikely,” Korren replied. “What’s there to explain? They run, we chase. Done.”
What are they doing?
“This season, the Hunt will be a little different,” Councilman Raza announced.
A chill snaked down my spine as the males in the room made sounds of displeasure.
The blank screen lit up, leaving us with more questions than answers as Councilman Raza continued. “There is a special prize among our Omegas. One of our females is participating in the Hunt for the fourth time.”
An image appeared on the screen as the units murmured to each other.
What the hell?
The Council never revealed the Omegas prior to the Hunt. Why had they changed the rules?
I returned my attention to the projector after exchanging glances with my unit. The Omega on the screen reminded me of warm cinnamon and sunlight. Her bronze skin and honey-colored eyes glowed as if she were in the room with us.
My attraction was instant, and my wolf took notice, pushing against my skin to get a closer look.
“How is that possible?” one male asked.
“What’s wrong with her?” asked another. “There has to be something off about her if no other unit has claimed her.”
His theory spread like wildfire, and the room filled with voices.
“Quiet,” Councilman Raza boomed. “There is no need for alarm. Brielle Davis is an extraordinary Omega. In fact, she is the only Omega to make it through the forest with her collar intact.”
“She won,” Korren said.
Shock and intrigue replaced the accusations that slipped from the males’ tongues like blades.
