Page 31 of After Darkness Falls

“Your name?” she prompted.

“Avani,” she said, then returned to her village without giving Chloe a second glance.

Chloe tried not to take it to heart. She was a people person, and most of those she met tended to like her. When someone didn't, she felt like she'd failed in a way. A stupid point of view, really.

Thinking of failure, Chloe resumed her run, heading toward the lighter spots between the trees in the distance, hoping to reach the hill before the last huntsman, at least.

She emerged between two trees at the same time as Jack, who stared at her, baffled.

“No way,” he said.

Then his eyes returned to the hill in front of them. A dark-haired man was waiting less than five hundred feet away.

Chloe's brain understood in a split second that she hadn't arrived last—she was first, tied with Jack. And whoever reached the guy would have five hundred shiny pounds right in their pocket.

She didn't think she'd ever felt that much pressure in her entire life. She had to win. Had to.

Chloe's heart beat hard, the cold wind slapped her face and her lungs burned, but she pushed and pushed and pushed harder, her feet hitting the ground like it was her sworn enemy, and finally…

“And that's a tie!” said the dark-haired guy.

Chloe didn't even try to stay on her feet, falling right on her ass and laughing on the ground.

"Holy cheesecake."

Jack, hovering over her, laughed, too.

“Good run, Cheetah. And through the pack territory, too. Ballsy.”

“Stupid,” she amended. Talking hurt, but she was too ecstatic to notice. “You can say stupid. I didn't know where I was going.”

“Whatever. You survived without a bite, that's the main thing.”

He extended his hand to help her up. The ground was starting to feel freezing, so she took it gratefully and thanked him.

The huntsman pulled a roll of cash out of his suit jacket. She hadn't noticed, but he'd run in a damn suit.

“We should split the money,” she suggested.

Jack shrugged. “Nah, I only run for fun. The winner is whoever arrives first after me.”

She inclined a brow, intrigued. What was this race about?

But the rest of the huntsmen were arriving, bearing equally puzzled expressions. Her question would have to wait.

“No way.”

“Shewon?”

“Shit. Well done, newb.”

“She went through the wolf territory.”

Now, puzzlement gave way to horror and awe.

“Holy shit. Did you have to outrun wolves?”

She laughed.

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