Page 128 of Just One Bite
That’s a relief at least. Our phones chime and I sigh. A sinking anxiety follows, and I know it’s bad.
Zant’s voice sounds next to my ear. “You might want to sit down.”
“Why?” I snatch the phone from his hand and read the headline.
Olivia Confirms Breakup with Her Signup to The Hunt This Saturday.
“The Hunt?!”
Zant tugs on my shoulder, but I can barely hear him with the roaring in my ears. The locker room disappears from my sight till all I see is red. The stench of sweat and cologne morphe into nothing. My mouth salivates and my arms itch as the hairs stand on end.
I put out a hand, signaling for them to give me a second. My mate is going to be in The fucking Hunt. This was their plan, the ultimate humiliation. I have to close my eyes and breathe through my nose.
“The Hunt?” Evangeline’s voice is far away.
“It’s how alpha Weres get hooked up with mates,” Zant says.
“She would never.”
“Anyone on the council could have gotten her on the roster.”
My head shoots up. “No fucking way I’m letting this happen.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m joining The Hunt.”
Chapter Forty-One
Olivia
“Hi Dad.”
I keep my voice low and lay my head on my pillow. The night is heavy as the minutes tick by on the clock above the hearth. My whole body aches even after the bath I took to calm my nerves. I move the hair from the wetness of my face.
“Hey, honey, it’s late. Are you all right?”
“Yeah … I … I think I’m going to come home. I hope that’s okay. I know I haven’t called.”
I fight to keep my voice level, tucking my hand between my knees. Going home and keeping a distance from Parker is the best thing I can do for him. Giving the linked mate news time to die down will make him less likely to be targeted so this doesn’t happen again. Joining The Hunt means I’ll be marked as someone else’s mate. Even if I never accept, it will be a public rejection of our bond. I can’t imagine putting him through that.
“Certainly. I’d love to have you.”
“I have something to do this weekend, and then I’ll pack up my stuff. Can you pick me up?”
After stripping my bedding, I put the flat sheet back down to lie on it; it smells like him. That should make it easier to pack, but I abandoned the endeavor to sulk.
“Yeah, anything you need. But did anything happen? Is it about ballet?”
“No. Ballet is … It’s not ballet.”
I’ll give up my spot after The Hunt. I just want this to end. Go back to Groveshire and enter into a smaller local company. I can’t watch Parker move on and … whoever I get marked by hopefully won’t follow me where I’m going. There is nothing left to think about, only to do what needs to be done.
“I don’t think I’m cut out for this here. I thought I was, but … I can’t do it anymore. I just want to come home. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? This wasyourdream, honey. I’m always proud of you no matter what you do.I’msorry Doxlothia wasn’t what you wanted it to be.”
The tears stain my pillow, sinking into the fabric. I wish my mom was here. I was so close to getting everything I always wanted.
