The Mating Games

18+, dark themes, steamy God, those eyes. Icy blue, but burning a hole straight through to my core. A horn sounded, and I broke into a sprint. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears as I raced for the treeline. Part of me was aware of the other girls running around me, some crying, some laughing, others like me, with determination lacing each step. Even as I made it to the trees, I could feel him watching me. When the Alphas started their hunt, Tobias Lockheart would find me. I have to escape before then. Despite my pride, some small part of me doesn't think I can resist. My precious minutes flew by as I tried to put as much distance between me and the starting line as possible. My legs burned, and every tree I raced past seemed to tug at my hair. I just had to stick to the plan. Reach the northern barrier, find the weak spot, pray the small stick of dignamight strapped to my thigh was enough to break through, and find Jake so I could get the hell out of this place. Far behind me, the horn sounded again, and I cursed. The Alphas had started their hunt. It had been a while since I had seen one of the other girls, good. Hopefully, the Alphas would have to cover more ground to find us. A small stream cut through the forest ahead, and I leapt in. The freezing water soaked my trainers, but it didn't reach above my ankle. It might be enough to disguise my scent for a while - maybe. The trees were thinning, and the part of me that dared to hope pretended that it meant the Northern barrier was just ahead. A scream pierced the air, and I froze, dropping to a crouch behind a nearby bush. I peered through the leaves and quickly stifled the gasp that formed in my throat. In the clearing, one of the girls, Clara, was on all fours. The torn remains of her clothes scattered on the grass. One of the Blue Moon Alphas towered over her, large hands gripping her hips as he thrust again and again. She ground her ass back against him, panting like a b***h in heat as drool drizzled down her chin. I felt a warmth between my legs as I watched the Alpha pull back her arms so she was flush against him. His hand wrapped around her throat, and her answering moan was rewarded with his tongue. Slowly, so slowly, I backed away. Hardly daring to breathe in case the Alpha scented my arousal and decided to change prey. But the slapping of skin against skin and Clara’s growing moaning didn't falter as I slipped quietly away. A warmth flushed my face, and I breathed heavily as I clenched my thighs around the budding need between my legs. I hadn't expected it to look so… No. No, remember the plan, I shook my head, attempting to clear the fog as I pushed myself to run again. Forget about Clara, she would do just fine as an Alpha's mate. At least it had only been one; she was lucky. The trees fell away, and I found myself sprinting across an open meadow. The barrier loomed ahead, a grey wall standing at twice my height, a purple haze shimmering just in front of it. I nearly wept with relief. At the base of the wall, right where Jake had said it would be, the purple haze flickered sporadically. I was going to make it. I was going to survive the Breeding Games. A howl. Close, so close. I turned as a thick grey beast slammed into me, throwing me down onto the grass. Pain shot up my side, quickly replaced with a panic unlike anything I'd ever known. He was huge, pure muscle, with thick scars decorating his bare chest. I looked into the gray Alpha's eyes and saw only an insatiable hunger staring back. I rolled, trying to get to my feet, but he grabbed my ankle, claws digging into my skin. ‘Mmmmmmm, aren't you just delicious’. He pulled me towards him, hot stinking breath warming my face. ‘Get off me!’ I shoved him hard, and a rumbling laugh shook his chest. He grabbed my hands and pinned them above my head as he leaned over me. His scent was so thick it made me gag. ‘I’m starting to see why Tobias is so fixated on you.’ his tongue flickered out and left a wet trail up my cheek. I shivered in disgust. The Alpha lifted me like I was nothing, spinning me and dropping me down onto my belly. I used the movement to drive my heel into the bridge of his nose. He pulled back, howling in pain as blood began rushing down his face. My fingers dug into the grass as I scrambled to my feet, heart pounding as I half ran and half fell towards the barrier. I screamed as pain exploded in my shoulder. The Alpha bit down hard, and I felt the warmth of his blood mix with my own. ‘Ungrateful b***h. I was going to play nice with you.’ He snarled, as one hand wrapped around my throat in a vice-like grip and the other tore at my trousers. He pulled me back against him, and I felt his length press into my ass. He growled raggedly into my ear, the smell of blood enveloping me as the pressure around my neck grew. My eyes feel heavy as I struggle for each breath. Please, not like this. Behind me, a roar of rage split the air, shaking me from the haze. The gray wolf dropped me, snarling in frustration. ‘Tob-’ He was cut off as a huge, deep brown wolf leapt for his throat. The two beasts rolled across the grass in a whirl of teeth and claws. Roars shook the trees as they fought like true animals. They broke apart, and the grey wolf hissed, red still running down his face. He snapped his jaw angrily, took one last look at me, and limped back into the trees. I could only stare, as Tobias Lockheart crouched beside me, those mesmerizing eyes noting my throat, my shoulder and, oh god, my trousers torn on the floor beside me. I quickly pulled my knees to my chest, and a half smile slid across his face. How could anyone be that damn beautiful? It was like he had been carved from rock. Each muscle perfectly toned, like an artist had agonised over their perfection. I pulled my eyes from his bare torso and back to those dangerous eyes. They were burning, drinking in every inch, and as he reached for me, I knew I wouldn't say no. His touch was like electricity as he cupped my face in his hand, pulling me towards him as his finger tips grazed my bare thigh. I gasp softly, as heat races across my skin. I shouldn't want this. I want to be free of these games, these Alphas. But all protests died on my lips as he pressed a desperate kiss to my knee and began trailing down my leg. ‘Maya.’ My voice was like a drug on his lips. I parted my legs for him, a moan escaping me as I surrendered to the warmth of his touch. Tobias spread me gently. Sliding down until the warmth of his breath tickled against my throbbing core. I mewed pathetically, feeling my juices seeping from my waiting lips. My hands found his head, and I dug my fingers into his thick hair, but he didn’t move, didn’t touch me. He groans softly. ‘You have no idea just how much I want to taste you.’ He looked up at me, as I panted for him, and ran a possessive hand over my leg. ‘But sweetheart,’ his voice drops lower, and he brushes his thumb across my skin. ‘If you want this… you're going to have to beg for it.’