LOGINKalev’s POVMy heart clutched as I watched Senna and the young boy talk about his future wolf. There was a sadness behind her eyes as she talked. She assured him that his wolf would be big and strong, and the boy bought it up, hook, line and sinker.Luckily, everyone had been asleep last night when Senna’s camp was raided. If they had been watching, they would have seen the tree branches bend. It was Senna’s wolf again. But if anyone had seen, I would be hard-pressed to explain a second, nature-related case away again.So, I’d done what I had to do. I deleted the footage.I’d never deleted footage before. It was against the rules of my position. I was now officially tampering with the games in a way I’d never done before. If anyone found out, I’d have to answer for it.Which was why no one could find out.I was running out of time though. And I knew it. Endrick was still looking for the key to open the secret vault. We needed to know what actually happened to the flora wolves, what ha
Senna’s POVDawn broke in filtered sunbeams through the thick trees overhead. I hadn’t slept much though. My mind was still reeling from the surprise attack.I’d almost killed someone.I’d drawn my bow, and I was ready to release it. If not for Verity, I probably would have. What did that make me? And what about next time? What if Verity didn’t stop me in time?A hundred questions circled through my head.Would there come a time on this island when I had to kill? To protect my friends? To protect myself?All around me, birds chirped. The island was really beautiful, even if it was manmade.One of the birds singing was a Bluespout. They were native the mountains I grew up in. My mind flashed back to a memory of me and Kalen. We were young, maybe thirteen, running through the trees, chasing the Bluesprouts.I’d known even then that I loved him. I’d fawned after him the better part of our teenage lives. So when he finally asked me to be his girlfriend, I’d been elated. I’d felt like ever
Senna’s POVMy eyes flew open.Someone was invading our space. The sounds of breathing was thick in the air.Bolting to an upright position, I reached for my bow. It was in my hands within seconds.“Wake up,” I hissed to Thor. He was supposed to be on watch, but he must have fallen asleep.He woke up immediately.Three people in front of us froze.I only recognized them from the first day at Kalev’s estate. One was a young girl with braids. One was an older girl, maybe in her twenties. And the third was a young man. His hand was wrapped around the handle of a knife. The blade shone in the moonlight.Scrambling to my feet, I raised my bow.“How did you get in here?” I asked. We had traps laid. How did they invade us without setting off any of the traps?“Very carefully,” the boy replied. His tightened his grip on his knife. My eyes glanced down to the girl. She was holding three of our canisters in her hands. The canisters that had been dropped to me right after I was stabbed.“Put the
Kalev’s POVEveryone took their seat in the grand hall.My mother, Petra, had called this emergency council meeting. Eying her across the table, she held her demure smile and sat with one graceful descent into her chair.I knew what this was about. She was going to grill me about the blackout yesterday. It was unorthodox to pause the live feed of the games, even for half an hour. And now she was suspicious.But I’d had no choice. Orrin had claimed Senna’s wolf as his mate. I had to go and see her. I had to see for myself.“Thank you all for joining us on such short notice,” my mother said, smiling in turn to every council member. Viktor sat beside me.“This better be quick,” he hissed. “We’re missing the games.”My mother shot him a look to silence him. He slammed his mouth shut.My mother was a force to be reckoned with. She said jump and people said how high. House Moren had long sat at the head seat in the high council. My father had been the architect of the games before his untim
Senna’s POVWe left the cave early in the morning to find a better spot. Since everyone was scared of my silver mark, and we’d made a truce with Korrigan’s pack, we decided to go back to the ridge.It sounded silly, but returning to the ridge felt a little like returning home. It was the only familiar place on the island, and it was strangely comfortable.“Come with me, Kulos,” I said. “I’m going to teach you how to set traps.”“You know how to set traps?” he asked, wide-eyed.“Yup,” I nodded. “I grew up in the mountains. It’s not that hard. If you have a good teacher.” I winked at him. My wounds were slowly healing, and I was able to walk a lot better now.“We should call you Thistle,” Thor smiled as we started to leave. He was speaking to Kulos.“Why?” Kulos asked.“Because you’re sticking to Senna just like a thistle.”We both chuckled. But from that moment on, the name stuck.‘Thistle’ was a good student. Quick to learn and eager too. After about an hour, we had a perimeter of sim
Kalev’s POVThe main room cleared at midnight. Everyone went out to drink and gossip about the day’s events. I sent the night techs out by telling them I needed the floor. They went gratefully.Endrick and I were able to open the sealed records. He didn’t have the right key. Since the records hadn’t been opened In 60 years, he had to search his family’s vault for the key that would open them. I had no idea what was in those records, but I knew it had something to do with the flora wolf extinction.Endrick knew too. And I had the feeling there was something he wasn’t telling me. But I would find out soon enough.Alone in the main room, I kept my eyes locked on the screen. Senna was sleeping in a small cave they’d found. It wasn’t an ideal place, but I was sure they would find something better tomorrow.A rush of pride washed over me. She’d managed a truce and helped feed everyone. But when she shot that arrow at Korrigan’s feet?The entire room had exploded in cheers.She was far bra







