Chapter 9- Hunting Part III/ Final Hunt
1044 Words
Jo stared at the dark-haired general who was watching her far too closely.
For some unsettling reason, he didn’t look angry about the trick she pulled on him earlier.
He looked... pleased.
Dangerously pleased.
"General, these two slaves are old friends of mine," Jo said carefully, keeping her voice even. "They’re not demons.
I’ll be in your debt if you can talk to our Alpha and arrange for their release after the hunt."
Dante gave a lazy smirk, playing along.
"Old friends, huh? Werewolves too? How did they end up in a hunting ground full of demons?"
"Umm, yes, General!" Jo said brightly, piling on the pitiful omega act. "They’re low-ranked omegas like myself.
We can't shift — too weak — so we got captured easily."
Dante studied her.
He didn't buy it for a second.
Not really.
But gods, he wanted to believe her.
He wanted to believe the faint mate scent he caught earlier — the one that had driven him feral — belonged to her.
Still...
Why was she lying about the fairies?
Even if she'd told him the truth, he would've helped them. No hesitation.
He hated this hunt.
Always had.
But because of his secret mission, he had to pretend.
Play dumb. Stay quiet. Smile like a good little guest.
Dante leaned closer, pushing.
"So all three of you are harmless little omegas," he drawled. "Tell me then, Jo... how did you find them so easily?"
Jo didn’t even blink.
She smiled sweetly.
"Maybe the Moon Goddess wanted to reunite us," she said.
At the mention of the Moon Goddess, Dante sighed quietly, defeated for now.
She wouldn't break so easily.
Not yet.
He could wait.
He was good at waiting.
"Fine," he said casually. "But if you want their freedom, I have a condition."
Jo nearly rolled her eyes straight into the back of her head.
"And what would that be, dearest General?" she asked, smiling sweetly.
Dante smirked.
"If I win the hunt — you’re coming to the feast with me."
The fairies, Mina and Daya, giggled uncontrollably behind her.
Jo scowled.
"Fine," she snapped.
"But good luck with that, your highness." She couldn’t resist the sarcasm.
"See, the hunt’s winner is decided by demon kill count. And the highest-ranked demons?
The Plague demons? No one’s been able to kill even one by hand — except for Alpha Jayden once. And that was sheer luck."
Dante just looked amused. "Where do I find them?"
Jo stifled her laughter. These royals really thought they were invincible.
"See how the dome curves toward one point at the center?" she pointed.
"You’ll find the Plague demons right under that."
Dante winked.
"Get your ballgown ready."
Before Jo could even respond, Dante propelled himself skyward — his powerful jump sending him soaring into the air.
He vanished into the trees within seconds.
Jo blinked after him, stunned.
"Uh, Jo," Mina squeaked, starry-eyed. "If you’re not interested, can I have him?"
"For real," Daya chimed in. "Even if werewolves can be total d***s sometimes, they’re HOT."
Jo ignored the two giggling idiots behind her, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
Why the hell is he so obsessed with me?
*
Meanwhile, across the hunting ground...
"f**k," Alpha Jayden hissed as he stumbled to his feet, blood staining his side.
"My Alpha, are you okay?" Gina called, rushing to his side.
Jayden gave a stiff nod, furious.
The highest-ranked demons — the Plague demons — were tougher than ever this year.
Dark Slayer Pack prided itself on capturing a few every year, parading them in this sick 'tradition.'
But fighting them — without shifting, without powers — was nearly impossible.
Only Jayden had managed it before.
And he needed to prove himself again today.
"Alpha Jayden, looks like you’re slipping," one of the elder officials sneered.
Jayden clenched his jaw, rage burning under his skin.
He focused, charging at the shadowy demon before him — managing a solid kick to its ribs, making it grunt.
The crowd stirred, whispers of admiration sparking.
Jayden landed a punch against the demon's face, swelling with pride.
He caught his father's approving look—
And that split second of distraction cost him.
The demon slashed forward, his hand shifting into a deadly blade.
Jayden barely dodged — he felt the cold metal skim his throat.
Before he could react, a blur slammed into the demon.
There was a sharp c***k — the demon’s head snapped violently to the side.
Dead.
Jayden gasped and looked up but the dark figure that saved him had already vanished into chaos.
All around the arena, Plague demons started dropping — one after another — like puppets with their strings cut.
"What the f**k," Jayden hissed, staggering back as Gina helped steady him.
A blur moved between demons, killing them with ease — silent, deadly, unstoppable.
The crowd roared in confusion and awe.
Finally, the blur slowed — and Dante emerged into the open.
He wasn't even breathing hard.
He glanced around at the stunned faces with a lazy grin.
"I guess I won the hunt, huh?" he said casually.
*
Jo made her way toward the center of the dome with Mina and Daya.
She was already cackling.
"HAHA! Serves you right, General!" she laughed maniacally.
The fairies side-eyed her nervously.
"I think we made a mistake trusting Jo," Mina whispered.
"I agree," Daya said. "She’s definitely got a loose screw."
Jo glared at them.
But her laughter died when she reached the center.
Bodies.
Plague demons.
Lifeless. Everywhere.
She froze, mouth falling open.
Dante stood among the corpses, smiling easily as the crowd cheered.
Jo swallowed thickly.
He killed them.
All of them.
And not just one or two — but dozens.
By hand.
Jo’s heart hammered.
If he's that strong... could he actually help me fight my enemies?
The thought was dangerous.
Tempting.
But she shoved it down hard.
NO.
She could only rely on herself.
She always had.
She always would.
She hugged herself tighter, forcing her breathing to slow.
Across the field, Dante caught her eye.
He grinned sheepishly — the cockiest damn smile she had ever seen — and mouthed:
"Are you ready?"
Jo's stomach dropped.
She had forgotten about his condition.
Shit.
- Writer
