Page 48

Hayden sighed. “Did any of the guys talking to you help? Because, I know when everyone tried to tell me what to do, I pushed all of you away. I’d hate for the same to happen between Bell and Christoph.”

Her mate blew out a breath. “You’re right, again. Let me see what I can find out. I’ll keep you posted.”

She bit her lip then shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. You should be focused on the next match. You have to hunt tonight.” They strolled down the hall toward the exit. “Do you know what you’re supposed to do?”

He shrugged. “According to Christoph, we’ll shift then run through the woods while you watch on the big screen. There’s supposed to be strategically placed game for us to chase and bring down. The win goes to the person who gets the biggest kill poundage-wise.”

“Seems easy enough,” she said as they followed the path to the stadium.

“Should be.” He stopped her. “To tell you the truth, I’m glad this is almost over.”

“It’s not been so bad. I mean, the ball is tomorrow night after the last event.” She searched his gaze. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He pressed his lips to hers. “I did this to win you back.”

“Uh-huh and…?”

“I got you.” He gave her a cocky grin.

“You did.” She grinned.

“Yet, I feel compelled to see this all the way through. I don’t like Hill or his cronies. Their egos are too big for their own good.”

“So, knock them down a peg or two.” She pressed her lips to his once more. “Go have fun.” She patted his ass. “I’ll be waiting when you get done.”

Nico lined up with the other competitors and waited. Anxious energy coursed through the group as they went over the rules. The area where the game had been located would be marked by tags. Once a competitor entered, he could not, under any circumstances, back out. Leaving the roped-off area, constituted disqualification. If a competitor was onto a kill, none of the other participants could interfere. If they did, they would be disqualified. From the time the guys gave chase, they each had fifteen minutes to complete the takedown, or they'd be disqualified. Finally, the biggest kill would win. The added bonus—some of the meat would be used for the ball. The rest would be processed and sent to local charities and orphanages.

The horn blew, and everyone shifted. The crisp scent of fall air filled his lungs, along with the smell of game waiting beyond the trees, calling to his wolf. The chase. He howled then took off, bounding through the woods. Once they closed the competition line, there’d be no turning back until he made his kill. Officials stood out of the line of sight away from the boundaries, watching everyone make their way through the thicket.

As a champion, Nico didn't have to go for the biggest animal. He wanted to get through this and go back to his waiting mate. To hell with everyone else. However, he also wanted to help his friends. He wanted to make sure someone—anyone—other than Hill and his posse—got the win.

He slowed his pace to a trot, making as little noise as possible. Up ahead, a small buck—if someone considered a six-point buck small—stood in the open field. He crept up to it, staying downwind as he approached. A part of him wanted to make the buck run, give chase, and have fun. Another part of him wanted to take the animal down, have the weight tallied, and go home with his mate. The wolf, however, wanted to play. Nico gave over to him and chased the buck through the woods. His steps were cautious, so as not to step out of bounds. Up and over hills they went until the deer tired and stopped at a stream. His wolf luxuriated in the thrill of the kill. Stalking his prey, he stepped lightly, keeping his head low. The buck’s ears twitched back and forth, listening, staying on point while drinking his fill. Nico inched around his kill and waited. When the deer took off again, he’d be right behind him ready to take him down.

In the clearing, a doe stepped out, catching the buck’s attention. Perfect.Yeah, buddy. Go get you a piece. I won’t hurt you.The buck raised his head and called out to the female, who responded in kind. Nico waited another second then as soon as the animal began to follow the female, he attacked. He jumped at the buck's hindquarters, tackling the deer to the ground. The beast thrashed, throwing its rack around, trying to stab Nico so he could get away. Dodging his head, Nico went for the neck and bit down. Warm blood filled his mouth. With a quick jerk, he snapped the deer’s neck. Letting him go, Nico raised his snout and howled. The horn sounded, and a judge came out of the woods beside him then tagged the kill.

Nico shifted back and took the bag from the judge. Inside, were a pair of basketball shorts and a bottle of water to clean up with. He put the shorts on then took the tag from the judge. “Thanks.”

“Not a problem,” the judge answered. “Good kill. It’s been a pleasure watching you.”

After a quick handshake, he followed the trail to the stadium and used the water to clean his mouth out and his face off. The clock below the screen showed two hours remaining in the competition. Rocky waited off to the side, already finished with his run. His expression had been cautious as he watched the remaining competitors. “How did you do?”

“Hell, I don’t know. Not being able to shift because of this type of competition, really hurt my chances, but I got a wild boar.” He grinned.

"Right on, man." He fist-bumped the falcon and smiled. "I got a buck."

“I saw. Nice kill.”

“Thanks. Anything out of Hill?”

“He’s onto an elk. If you ask me, he’s a little too ambitious.” The falcon frowned.

“Oh?”

Rocky lifted his chin to the monitor. “Watch. The elk outweighs him by at least a hundred and fifty pounds, if not more. He’s got no discipline whatsoever, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear the damn beast already tried to gore the asshole.”

“Not good.”

Hill chased the animal through the woods, no clear end game in sight. It was almost like the bull knew the asshole chased after him, so he toyed with Hill.