C9

AZEL WHITMORE POV

"Darius, my feet hurt so bad, please help me with these heavy tracking boots."

"I am right here, Nyra, let me slide them onto your feet so you do not touch the sharp stones."

"Look at how great Darius is to his little brother! They have the best relationship in the whole arena. I wish my big brother took care of me like that instead of biting my tail every day!"

"Yes, the other pack-followers on the MoonNet Circle are so jealous. They all want an alpha brother who spoils them like a little prince."

"Let go of my tunic, Darius, it is getting dirty in the mud."

"I will hold the back of your white cloth so it does not drag on the dirt path, Nyra. Just keep walking up the mountain."

"This long tracking dress is too heavy! My legs feel so bad right now. I need to sit down on this rock."

"We just walked for thirty minutes, Zinnia! Can you not keep moving like Azel and Keira?"

"I am fine, Darius. I can keep going. I do not need a break."

"The production crew says we can rest for ten minutes right here because the omega scouts look very weak."

"Look, the small farmhouse village is finally right there! We are at the entrance now."

"Azel, how are you not tired at all? My legs feel like they are going to break, but you look so fresh."

"I practice my pack martial arts every single morning to keep my inner wolf strong, Keira. An hour of walking is nothing to me."

"You are not the only one who is relaxed, Azel. I do workouts and heavy kickboxing every single day in my private den."

"Lean against me, Nyra. I know your legs are shaking. I will give your feet a nice rub once we get inside the farmhouse gates."

"Thank you so much, Darius! You are the best big brother ever. Simone—I mean, Azel must feel so bad and jealous right now because you are not helping him. It will be so great if he loses his temper on the live broadcast!"

"Why are you thanking me? You are my brother, and I will always take care of you."

"Are you looking at me, Darius?"

"No, I am talking to Keira. I do not care what you are doing."

"The live stream will pause for a bit when we get inside the hut. Azel will definitely crawl back to me then. He will use his special pack skills to massage my sore muscles and beg for my forgiveness."

"Welcome to your new quarters, scouts! The arena crew picked this farmhouse specifically for the eight of you. It is easily in the top five best dens in this entire mountain sector."

"Wow, if it is in the top five, it must be a huge, great place! Let us go inside right now."

"This central room is for eating and meeting, the side hut is the kitchen, and these four small rooms on the side are your sleeping dens. They all look exactly the same."

"Why are there only two small wooden cots and two chairs in here? This place is way too empty!"

"What else do you want from a survival trial, Darius?"

"Where are the big wardrobes for our armor? Where are the desks to put our weapons? This mud wall looks so bad and cheap!"

"That is your own problem now. The Lunar Veil Dominion cannot help you here. If you want fancy furniture, you have to build it yourself out of tree logs."

"The four of us male wolves can sleep in this garbage place because we are tough, but this is way too harsh for the four delicate omega ladies, isn't it?"

"Since when do you have the right to speak for the three of us male guests and make choices for the other four omegas?"

"I am just trying to be nice!"

"Do not include my name in your whiny pack speeches, Darius. You do not speak for me at all. I definitely mind this place, but I do not need you opening your mouth for me."

"My brother is just worried about our comfort, Ronan. He does not mean any harm to your pack."

"If the alpha males can survive in this basic room, we omegas can do it too! We are ready to follow the rules."

"Please do not speak for me either, Nyra."

"Azel, what did you just say?"

"I said, keep my name out of your mouth. We are not friends, and we are not pack."

"Is he crazy? How can he talk so bluntly on a live broadcast? His career is going to be completely destroyed!"