Mating Games: The Huntress

Episode 6

NYX POV

“There’s a lot of people here this year.” Benji comments as he looks around at the other guys who showed up to the games.

“I’m not surprised, this is only the second year that the games have been open to half-bloods. Makes sense that there would be more attending this year.” I say.

“I’m surprised Axel isn’t here, there’s gonna be a lot of fresh meat from what I hear. He’s gonna go f*****g mad soon if he doesn’t mate.” Benji adds.

“His Pack had a strange rogue attack, and whatever happened was serious enough to keep him away. Just don’t say anything to anyone about that; I’m not worried about Axel’s ability to protect his own. I just got the impression he wanted to keep it under wraps.” I warn.

Benji nods in agreement and then growls when he looks up at the entrance, clearly irritated by whoever just walked in.

“I seriously hate that douche, I was this close to kicking his ass during the Sparing last year. But Zeke beat me too it, f*****g knocked him out cold..” Benji snorts and smirks “.. I’ll admit that was awesome.”

I smirk back when I see he’s starring at Roland Bailor, because I enjoyed witnessing that knock-out as well. Roland’s got an ego the size of Texas, and unfortunately he’s being primed to be the future Alpha of the Bay Wolf Pack. He’s young and cocky and extremely disrespectful.

“I don’t like him much either, he doesn’t have the qualities of a good leader. His older sister does though. Elsa’s a strong She-Wolf. It’s too bad her dad won’t consider letting her take over.” I comment.

“More old world bullshit! I don’t remember her though, has she attended the games before?” He asks.

“No, she just turned twenty-two. She’s pretty independent. But she’ll be here this year, in the past she’s fought against finding her mate, she’s terrified to leave her friends and family in the hands of that i***t. So she’s delayed for as long as she can.” I say.

Her brother Roland has two Omegas on both his arms, even though women aren’t allowed in here right now, and he’s still wearing his shades. Like he’s a rockstar and just stepped off his tour bus. Benji’s right, Roland is a douche.

His father storms over to him and grumbles something in his face, Roland just shrugs and acts confused. He played in the games last year so he knows the damn rules. No mingling until with the she-wolves until after the run is the biggest one.

In fact, it’s rule number one: No one meets with the women in the games until after the first game; the Run. The ladies go first of course, and then we go a little later in the day.

We get to watch each other during the races on big screens, but we don’t actually get to meet any of them. Not until tonight, at the meet and greet Gala.

That’s also when we’ll be able to sense our mate; her scent, her essence will call out to us if she’s here. And ours will call out to her.

“You still single, Fox? I could’ve sworn I heard a rumor about women falling from the sky to sink their teeth into you?” Finn teases as he walks up to us. And I almost choke on my drink thinking of the incident he’s referring to.

“Asshole..” Benji grumbles and shoots the rest of his drink back “.. we don’t talk about that.” He said flatly and then he glared at me. I didn’t have to be a mind reader to know he was threatening murder if I spoke about what happened.

Which is ridiculous, clearly everyone’s heard about it already.

“Hold up? It’s fuckin true? Some She-Wolf tried to mark you against your will?” Finn asks, with his eyes wide and a s**t-eating grin splitting across his face.

“Yes, it’s true. And that’s all I’m saying on the matter.. I need another drink.” He says as he storms off towards the bar, shaking his head in frustration.

“Jeez, is he alright? I didn’t mean to kill the mood.” He shrugs.

“He’s fine. Malcom’s here, have you talked to him?” I ask, changing the subject because I’m genuinely curious. I haven’t seen Malcom in years, our dads are cut from the same cloth. So I’m not sure how he turned out, I don’t know yet if he’s friend or foe. The Blood Moon Pack is a strong Pack, I’m certainly hoping we can be allies.

“Nah. He doesn’t say much, plus he kinda wigs me out. Somethings wrong with him, his Wolf is on edge. I walked by him earlier and I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. My Wolf felt threatened enough to make me take notice.” He answers.

“Good to know. So, how’s Zeke?” I ask.

“Did I hear my name?” Zeke says as he walks up to us, along with Benji. Who’s back from the bar with another drink.

“You did, how are you? It’s been awhile.” I say as we shake hands.

I like Zeke, he’s smart and he’s got a good handle on his Wolf. Plus his dad’s a good guy, they’re one of the more progressive Packs, and one of the largest in the States.

“I’m good. But I’d be better if I found my She-Wolf this year. I’m feeling the call, we Alpha’s needs our Lunas. Plus, Dad’s pretty adamant about staying Alpha until I mate.” He says as he shrugs.

Must be nice to be able to lay back and not have to worry about your Pack, seeing as how Zeke’s dad isn’t a homicidal maniac and power hungry shifter.

“I’ve been read the same riot act, but it makes sense. Axel’s practically an expert on The Call, he really needs his mate. He won’t be here for the races, but I’m hoping he makes it before the Sparring tomorrow.” I add.

“I heard he got held up, has anyone met the new guys over there?” Zeke asks and we all look to the direction he’s nodding.

At the far end of the bar and in a fairly isolated part of the room, there’s three guys off by themselves. I’ve never seen any of them before. They seem on edge and they’re standing side by side while they size up the room.

“I haven’t.” I admit.

“I recognize one..” Finn interjects and points “.. the tall Asian one in the middle, that’s Lennon Green. His dad is the Gamma of the Jade Moon Pack. Ivy’s friends with his sister Lucy, I met him last summer when I took Ivy to their Pack. Cool guy, super smart. He takes online classes at MIT.”

“Is his dad Jack Green?” I ask. I’ve met Jack, he’s a good guy and he also mated and claimed his fated mate. A human woman, a defected hunter from South Korea.

“Yeah, that’s him.” Finn confirms.

“Is his sister here too, you think?” Benji asks.

“I’d bet on it. They’re twins and they’re really close. His sister’s a cutie but super intense. Her mom trained her to be a warrior for Jade Moon since she was thirteen years old. I’m ashamed to say that little half-blood whooped my ass. She’s f*****g fast.” He admits and we all chuckle at his expense.

At that moment the main doors open and everyone’s attention shifts. The the Alpha of the Dark Tide Pack, the Pack that’s hosting this years games, walks through. With his daughter Anika and her fated mate Harper flanking him. It caused a huge uproar and a lot of questions when that pairing happened.

It was the first ever same s*x mating that anyone had ever heard of. But I think it was just the first one that didn’t get shoved under the proverbial rug. Especially for a high ranking Wolf.

Anika’s father not only accepted her sexuality and her mate, but he also announced he’d be passing the Pack down to her this year. Alpha Gabe’s a good guy, and one of the more progressive Alpha’s from the old generation.

The decision he made was something my dad had a lot of opinions about. Pretty much anyone who still operates within a ranked Pack and prefers the old ways had a lot to say on the matter. Not to mention it’s considered taboo and weak to appoint a female as the Alpha of a Pack.

As my sister Annabelle says often; that’s some patriarchal bullshit.

“Thank you everyone for honoring me with your presence and with your trust. I promise a safe journey, and I anticipate an eventful couple of days.” Alpha Gabe begins, and everyone raises their hands in applause.

“As you know, this is the second year we’ve opened the games to our half-blood brethren. I’m pleased to announce that last years matches encouraged more half-bloods to seek out their true mates. And because of that we have many more first timers this year. My Luna is with the females now, preparing them for The Run. We’ll be turning on the screens and starting shortly, but I’d like to introduce the new comers that are in this room here today. Gentlemen..” Alpha Gabe gestured for the guys that were keeping to themselves to join him on stage.

Two of them hesitated a moment until Lennon stepped forward confidently. Once they were all on the stage the Alpha finished introducing them.

“.. many of you have met Lennon Green, he’s a tech savvy guy and has helped a lot of our Packs update security measures. He’s of Gamma and Human descent.”

There was another round of applause, which admittedly surprised me. I’ll have to get to know this Lennon, he’s clearly connected.

“Marcus Gonzalez is of Beta and Human descent, he’s from the Crimson Peak Pack down in New Mexico. Standing next to him is Jaxon Reeser, he’s of Lead Warrior and Human descent and he’s from the Blue Cove Pack down in Louisiana. They’re very well trained and prepared to fight for their true mates. Welcome, gentlemen.”

As another round of applause proceeded the announcement I peaked over at my father. He was sneering at the half-bloods, holding his drink and shaking his head in disgust. I was doing the same thing, accept I was starring at him, not the new blood.

The guys left the stage and the Alpha was getting ready to speak again, but just as he was his daughter leaned in and whispered something in his ear. It visibly surprised the Alpha and then a slow smile spread across his face.

“I apologize, but there’s been a slight delay. My daughter has just informed me that we have some last minute attendees who’ve just arrived.. And as this is their first year joining in on the mating games the Luna will need to go over the rules and the expectations of the games.” He says, then he pauses a moment and seems to consider his next words carefully.

“I have to say I’m intrigued by these new comers.. As it turns out we have ourselves two half-blood females.. who are also Hunters.” He admits, and a flurry of reactions happen all at once.

Wide eyes, whispers, rigid grumbling’s from the old timers who despise hunters, and cackling from some of the younger guys who’ve signed up for the games this year. Unfortunately for them, there are quite a few wolves who’d like to get their hands on a hunter. I’d heard the Hunters recruited half-bloods, but I thought that was a rumor.

I guess I was wrong.

“Holy s**t, I didn’t see that one coming.” Benji whispers and I nod in agreement.

“I met a half-blood hunter once, his name was Jed. He was an impressive individual and I think he was hunting a coven of vampires. He said he was Beta on his mother’s side and told me he was taken in by the Hunters when he was only thirteen, after his pack down in Mexico was completely decimated by vampires. I guess he wasn’t the only half-blood they recruited.” Zeke adds.

“It makes sense that they would take them in back then, a majority of Packs still considered them abominations and actively murdered them.” I say through clenched teeth, because unfortunately our Pack was one of them. I’m just glad the Elders outlawed murdering them outright, though a Alpha can banish anyone He, or She, sees fit.

After about fifteen minutes the Alpha finally announced that the females Run was about to start. Then an automated blind moved horizontally across the ceiling to cut off the natural light from the massive sky light above us. Just as three large screens set up against the back wall were turned on. The men were murmuring excitedly and everyone’s eyes were glued to the screens. Even the mated wolves were intrigued by what the half-blood hunters would look like.

As soon as the group of females were brought onto the screen a round of applause and catcalls echoed across the room. It was clear the men were pleased with what they saw. There were at least twenty women here for the games this year. And I estimated about twenty-three un-mated male wolves were in attendance this year.

Soon, like most of the others I assume, I found myself captivated by the two Hunters. They were clearly identifiable because one had on a large black hood and black mask covering most of her face. And the other had the same get up, just in red.

The only thing discernible were their heights, their skin color and their eye color. The one in red was short and white with bright blue eyes and the one in all black was tall, with mocha colored skin and dark blue eyes. The other she-wolves around them were clearly intimidated by them, even the few I knew who were of Alpha decent looked affected.

“Damn, I can’t believe Axel is missing this.” Benji whispers and again all I can do is nod in agreement.

“f**k, that’s hot! Just makes me wanna undress them even more.” Rolands big mouth yells out, and his small group of asshats, I mean friends, laugh it up.

A low menacing growl rumbles from my chest in response and Benji looks at me in surprise, thankfully no one else seemed to be paying attention.

“Did you just growl?” He asks.

“Yes. I’m not sure why, but Rolands comments about the half-blood Hunters riled my Wolf.” I whispered back.

“Just means your Wolf is a good judge of character and wants to bite that jackasses head off.” He shrugs and looks back at the screen.

I didn’t get a chance to discuss it further because the ritual drums started, indicating that the Run was about to begin.

It surprised me at how my heart was racing, and I was captivated, unable to take my eyes away.

I don’t think anyone here could foresee what was about to happen. The games had truly begun.

I found myself holding my breath until the shot of the gun pierced my ears. And the she-wolves were off, racing to the finish line.

Racing towards their mates. I only hoped one of them is Mine.