RATED R VIOLENCE The crowd's chants are louder today and almost savage as we make our way towards our seats. Their excitement seems to have distracted them from our late presence, which makes the irritated Kea relax. "Zuri, trade me," I whisper quickly as we get closer, and I see Zor on the end again. Zuri nods while giving me a small smile. She doesn't need me to explain the reason. She heard Zor yesterday. As we take our seats, my eyes focus on the massive grassy field. I keep myself from focusing on the thousands around us by staring at the sand-colored men already poised in the center. Their shoulders and backs have to be three or four times my body width...at least, which seems to be bigger than they were yesterday. "Do they look bigger today," I whisper toward Fiadh, and she nods without taking her bottom lip from between her teeth? Fear slowly begins to creep up my body, and the crowd changes their tone-chants and grunts of excitement or approval stop. But the silenc
TILK POV "Burk's out for blood," Nole mumbles from behind me, and I peel my eyes off the battle-savvy Hassin. I look back at my Kinmen, and he nods to acknowledge my interest. "Does he have weaknesses," I ask, knowing my inquiry will most likely be met with aggression? Nole has been fighting with Burk since training. No one knows Burk better than his men, and Nole is one of his best.Nole flashes his teeth at me before getting right in my face. He flares his nostrils defensively, but my expression stays neutral. Nole is my equal in every way. He doesn't scare me. A battle between us would be difficult but not impossible to win. His chest buffing isn't intimidating. Burk is my main opponent. "I owe him my skin a hundred times over, Tilk. Asking me for his weakness is an insult. You know he is my Commander. Our blood has been spilled together," Nole growls, and his body expands to display his intent to fight. I smirk. "In the Harvest, you fight anyone and everyone. F
The fights have been consistently gruesome, and even with our newfound yearning, they have been hard to watch.The ground where the fights are happening has turned to mud due to the amount of blood wetting the dirt. After almost every fight, the winning male has run over to a female, including a very handsome Shikaz, who left Zuri beaming. As the next pair of fighters walk out to the center of the field, I instantly recognize Tilk. The two champions position themselves in the center, and my eyes sweep over him eagerly.He looks focused and beautiful as he stares down his opponent, but I get none of the fuzzy feelings I had when I saw Burk. I still cross my fingers in the hope that he will be mine. I enjoyed my dance with him. He is someone I could see myself falling in love with. Burk might not want me, or Tilk might place higher. Either way, I think I would be happy. The man Tilk is facing down has the signature strip of greenish brown scales going down his spine and across his
"We are down to the top twenty-seven champions. Our three-way champion winner Captain Bolis of Vaal has chosen to fight a Bunte. Will the other 26 champions line up, please," the announcer says, and the winners walk out onto the field. My back instantly straightens as I look over the line. I know that my mate might be a male who lost on day one or two but seeing these guys makes me excited. They look so strong and proud to be among the half that is continuing. "You will place your index finger on the screen, and the selector will assign your monster. Good luck, champions," the announcer says, and he approaches the male farthest from our side. "Captain Terrax will be fighting a Latroot...Commander Saz will be fighting a Mangog...Commander Fornis will be fighting a Bunte...Captian Het will be fighting a Zobilo...Captain Cailan will be fighting a Balsig," the announcer continues down the line, and I look over each male slowly until my eyes land on Burk. My stomach fills with little b
"Next up, Commander Burk," the announcer says, and I peek out from behind Zuri's shoulder.Each fight has ended so quickly that getting to Burk's fight seems to have happened in record time. I take a deep breath to calm myself just as the Mangog runs out onto the field."Oh my God," I whisper as my eyes take in the monster named Mangog.His skin is a mixture of red and orange. His massive head has six horns, and his gigantic three-fingered hands have four-inch claws ready to kill. His lips can't close over his fangs, and his tall body is stacked with bulging muscles. My heart immediately begins to pound again. Burk has to fight that!As Burk's name runs through my head, he emerges out from the champion area, looking nothing but calm. His knife is clutched in his hand, and he is approaching the Mangog as if he doesn't have a care in the world."How is he so calm," I whisper, feeling uneasy.Zuri shrugs as she, too, stares at the Mangog with big eyes."I don't know. This one is the seco
BURK POV Tilk's eyes flick to mine again, and my irritation builds. The Bronkark hasn't stopped eyeing me all day, and I can't take much more. My fist is practically itching with the need to punch his face in. I know he wants my female, but the only way he would have a chance to have her now is if Krystal rejects my offer and requests he challenges me. So I don't know why he is still sizing me up. "He won't catch fire no matter how hard you stare," Modok mumbles, and I snort before hitting his shoulder with mine. "He keeps looking at me," I growl, and Nole chuckles. "Modok wiped the ground with him. He is probably embarrassed," Nole says as he gives his fellow Bronk the cold shoulder. I shrug and growl as he shoots me another calculated glance. "Focus on your fight. You are the next one up," Modok grumbles, and I look towards the exit. "Fight? It won't be a fight. Saz ran around the ring just to give the crowd a show. Everyone knows they can't focus their ears on s
"Commander Garlof is the last Champion standing. He has won this decade's Harvest," the Kea announcer says, and the crowd roars around me. As tournament assistants carry out the unconscious or injured males, I cry silently. I feel terrible. If only I had stayed in my seat. Burk would be higher up in the standing than what he is. If I hadn't gained him a penalty, he would probably be near the top. I just hope I didn't mess up his chance with the woman he wants. "After a quick run-through in the CRM (cell repair machine), the other Champions will be ready for selection. Harvest females, please return to your rooms and prepare for Selection," the Kea says, and the crowd cheers again. Zuri stands up, and I slowly follow her example. As I get to my feet, I wipe my face and sigh.Today was supposed to be exciting, but now I just feel guilty. These men work hard for this tournament. They are war heroes...and I ruined it for one of them. I walk behind our group slowly. I don't w
Watching the making of happy couples is beautiful. Not one female has rejected an offer since Zor, and each one has seemed pleased with the male that has chosen her.Even Xiu seemed like she was on cloud nine when she was whisked away to the planet Gaimo. Zuri and Jia cried happily when they were chosen, which of course, made me cry. But I feel so happy for them, and I know I will see them soon. "Next up is Captian Teo," the announcer says, and I smile as a male from Cok steps forward. I am so eager to watch another happy couple that it takes me a moment to realize the tannish-brown soldier is heading straight in my direction. But when his serious eyes collide with mine, my heart cracks. He comes to a halt right in front of me, and I instantly fill with dread. "Krystal of Earth, I offer you my hand," he says, and I almost take a step back. Panic has set in completely as I stare at him. I don't know this male, and I don't want him. But I don't want to ask someone to fight for m