Page 66 of Rejected Mate

“Yes, yes, we are nearing the end of The Mating Games. Soon, you will be matched with your partner and you can start your new lives… together.”

Wow, it sounded creepy when he said it that way. Like we’d soon be married off to vampires, transacted off like cattle. Once again, I wondered what kind of choice we’d be offered. Yes, they’d said we would be able to choose if we wanted our vampire partners, but I had a feeling personal choice was not high on William’s priority list. Why did I have a feeling all matches between shifter and vampire were being orchestrated by the man in front of me?

“But you have one more physical challenge to conquer before that can occur.” William continued. “This one will test your mental strength as much as your physical strength.”

I listened carefully, trying to suss out what he meant. A puzzle? Some sort of scavenger hunt?

William began walking toward the far end of the field where the metal balls sat. We watched intently as he picked one up.

“It’s a harmless ball right now.” He set it down and waved over his shoulder.

From behind him, a vampire servant appeared with a cart, a large metal can on top. Smoke billowed out of the can, saturating the air with its acrid scent. We watched as the servant unscrewed the tops of the metal medicine balls and began to shovel hot coals into each ball.

William smiled, a sick pleasure on his face.

When they were done and the last ball had been sealed, William reached down and picked the ball up again. Immediately, his hands began to burn, adding the smell of burning flesh to the acrid stink in the air. Some of the girls behind me gasped. William grimaced as his hands blistered. Finally, he set the ball on a pile of rocks on the ground. Slowly, he held out his hands, smirking as his skin repaired itself. Finally, he clapped his hands together and let out a chuckle.

So William could still heal? Maybe it was because he was older and more powerful. Another detail I filed away for later. I was too engrossed in this insane challenge.

Judging by everyone’s somber faces, no one thought this challenge was cute or funny like William did. No, it was insane.

“You want us to burn our hands off?!” Nanette asked, incensed.

William played innocent. “No, no. No permanent harm will come to you. You’ll be able to shift and heal yourself when you get the ball to the finish line.” He pointed to the far end of the field. “No harm, no foul.”

We stared in horror at what he was asking us to do. He wanted us to carry a heavy metal ball across the yard, about half a football field in length, while it burned off our skin. On top of that, we could only shift and heal once we were done.

“We won’t have any hands left to heal!” Silvia protested.

A chorus of agreement went up behind her.

William shrugged. “We are looking for females who are willing to do whatever it takes to win. If that does not describe you, please, step back.” He pointed to the line behind us.

As the girls glanced back and forth, each considering if this was something they were willing to do, Ares stepped forward. “This is madness. We need to call this off.”

William glanced at the cameras and waved him away. “Enough.”

“No!” Ares shot back, his fangs elongating as his eyes darkened. “You can’t ask them to do this. The pain alone…”

“… will be akin to what we felt when we were turned into vampires.” William’s face was stony. He would not be swayed, especially not in front of all the people at home.

Ares turned to us. “Don’t do this. Wren.” His eyes found mine, and he shook his head. “You don’t have to do what he says.”

I stared from him to the sizzling metal balls. The pain would be nearly unbearable. And could I heal from an injury so severe?

Other girls were stepping back. Silvia was the first. Then Justice. Loba was hedging that way, but Laurel grabbed her arm. “You’re staying,” she growled with clenched teeth.

I glanced at Violet, who shook her head sadly and walked to the line. I didn’t blame her. I was seriously considering doing the same thing. How could I help my family if I permanently damaged my hands?

“Wait,” William said, a devious twinkle in his eye. “Don’t you want to hear the prize?”

“Another dumb date, I’m sure,” Silvia shot back. She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a disapproving shake of her head.

William smirked. “Far from it. The winner of this game gets to leave the grounds and visit their family without being eliminated.” His eyes landed right on me.

Oh, shit.

He knew what I wanted. He had to. The prize he was offering was the exact thing I needed, and he was dangling it in front of me like a treat to a starving pooch.

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