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
Have you ever met a stranger and felt an instant connection? Have you ever had butterflies in your stomach and an unbreakable smile on your face? Well, I haven't...until now. I have never felt like this before. I barely even know this man, and I am going goo goo over him. Just knowing that he wanted me is so reassuring. This powerful, sexy man wants me...Me, the nineteen-year-old from Earth who, has very little experience with life under her belt. The woman who still cries at night because her mom can't kiss her goodnight. "Are you okay," Burk asks as my eyes focus on my new surroundings. I nod shyly, and he smiles like I just told him great news. "Good. Are you tired, or would you like a tour of your new home," Burk asks tenderly, and my eyes flick around the sparse room we landed in. The walls are a light beige, and the floor looks like painted concrete. There aren't any buttons on the wall or different colors everywhere like most of the rooms on Kea. The few chairs in the ro
BURK POV"Don't make this harder than it needs to be," Pagin says quietly so Krystal can't hear, and I growl."My mate will not be going anywhere," I snarl, and the other males tense while moving forward.The male from Makskin places his hand on the hilt of his knife, and I feel my body expand as my muscles prepare themselves."Princess Zor's allegation will be verified," he states, and I shift into a defensive stance."My. Mate. Will. Not. Be. Going. Anywhere. With. You," I snap, and he smirks just as Hij growls from behind me."I will go under two conditions," Krystal says loudly from behind me, and I spin around to find Hij trying to reposition her behind him in a respectful way.She dodges his attempt, and he stops trying to move her. She looks at me for a moment, and I realize her fear is no longer visible. Her eyes look as angry as I feel. She looks strong. Like a soldier prepared for battle and my anger lessens. My mind goes to her past, and my heart swells. My mate is a fighte