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At its inception, the Council pitched the Hunt as an adaptive and voluntary ceremony. Though every Omega had to enter, they told all the sanctioned packs that Omegas could refuse to be claimed if they made it to the end of the Hunt. They told us they would have a choice after they performed their duty.
It was another way the Council pushed the illusion of compassion for Omegas and the shifter race as a whole.
We thought it was another of their lies. I stared at the picture of the Omega, newfound respect filling the space between my ribs. The female had outmaneuvered countless males who undoubtedly had years more experience than she did. It was impressive.
But if the rule existed, why didn’t more Omegas take advantage of it?
Based on what our Alpha’s mate told us about the Omega boarding houses, I was sure more would want to cash in on this loophole.
Something wasn’t adding up.
Councilman Raza’s cold eyes landed on Korren, and Valor—protective to a fault—shifted closer.
“Not once but three times,” Raza growled. “She is quick, smart, and crafty enough to outwit three seasons of highly trained males.”
He paused, gazing out at the sea of units with faux pride. “I’m sure the males in this Hunt will prove better than their successors.” He clasped his arms behind his back as he walked the length of the room. “This little Omega will finally meet her match.”
A chorus of snarls and howls broke out, and I fought to hide my disgust.
He was baiting them.
Putting a target on her back.
Councilman Raza held up his hands. “Let’s see which of our sanctioned units will win this prize. Now, prepare yourselves. The Hunt will take place in fifteen minutes. May the best unit win.”
No dominant male could refuse the challenge Council Raza had issued. The units were hungry to prove they could claim such a wild Omega and were equally eager to best the other packs.
Though shifters were one in theory, no one could deny the competitiveness between individual packs. Strength was everything for shifters, and a pack was only as strong as its weakest member.
After the Black War, things changed within our communities. Instead of the frequent feuds between packs for territory and revenge, old hatred was hidden beneath a veneer. Now, we challenged each other more subtly. The Hunt was one of the ways we established the unspoken social pecking order. The faster a unit claimed an Omega, the more skilled their pack was thought to be.
And to claim an Omega such as this one . . . no unit could resist the opportunity to raise their status.
Valor, Korren, and I glanced at each other, a silent understanding passing between us.
She was ours.
Chapter 3
Valor
This was going to be a bloodbath.
As we waited for the Hunt to begin, I looked at my bond unit, my heart overflowing with love and adoration. We worked so well together because we were so different. Ezra was a genius with a mind like a machine. Logical—if a bit emotionally stunted—and loyal to a fault, he was the perfect complement to my brash, protective nature. Together, we were the pillars of our unit.
Then there was Korren. The moodiest member of our unit had a fiery temper that contrasted with his beautiful face. Despite his occasional attitude, he had no trouble being sweet and soft when necessary, but he’d quickly turn to stone if he thought we were trying to walk all over him.
Korren was the glue that held us together—especially when we were first paired as youths—and our bond had only strengthened over the years.
I forced myself to concentrate on the situation at hand. My cold, hard focus chilled the mild warmth of spring. We looked through the breaks in the metal gate of our holding cell as the Omegas were released. A wave of color broke across the green lawn as they darted into the forest, searching for cover.
I cataloged their bare feet, thin clothing in neutral colors hanging off their bodies, and the collars around their necks.
The smell of their fear—bitter and sharp—danced on the wind, agitating my wolf.
He wasn’t one to be bothered by much. Even paw-deep in gore, he maintained a level of composure that rivaled the Alpha’s. To feel him this openly distressed was alarming.
There was something I hadn’t picked up on about this group of Omegas.
