“Ladies. I trust you’ve had time to get acquainted,” he says. His voice carries power without effort.
When he announces that elite guests will be watching our hunt through cameras, my stomach twists into knots. I practically choke on my own saliva.
This isn’t just about being hunted. We’re entertainment.
“Before we begin, you’ll need to change into the appropriate attire.” He gestures toward mahogany wardrobes; each marked with our names. “Your personal clothing will be kept safe until after the hunt concludes.”
“Change into what exactly?” Mira asks, voicing the question forming on my lips.
That dangerous smile returns. “Something more... suitable for the evening’s activities.”
I move toward my assigned wardrobe with measured steps, refusing to betray the trembling in my limbs. Inside, I find scraps of purple fabric that barely qualify as clothing. The material is soft against my fingertips, but there’s so little of it. A top that would scarcely cover my breasts, a bottom piece that would leave my thighs entirely exposed.
“Ten minutes,” Xavier announces, checking his watch. “I suggest you move quickly. The other hunters are already in position.”
My fingers clutch the fabric tightly, knuckles whitening. I’ve never felt more exposed, and I haven’t even changed clothes yet.
5
ACE
The control room hums with anticipation, screens illuminating the faces of hunters preparing for release. I stand beside Cyrus, our matching black-and-yellow masks catching the glow of the monitors as we observe our fellow predators.
“Look at Blackwood,” Cyrus murmurs, nodding toward the second youngest brother hunched over a screen. “He’s fixated on the tech girl.”
I study Landon’s body language—tense shoulders, fingers tapping against his thigh, eyes never leaving Sadie’s monitor. His obsession is written in every line of his posture.
“Predictable,” I reply, voice low. “He’s researched her.”
Cyrus smirks. “Should we fuck with him a little? Tell him we’re also interested in his precious hacker?”
I consider the strategic value. “No need to antagonize unnecessarily. We know our target.”
The countdown still has six minutes left on the clock. Plenty of time to position ourselves for maximum advantage.
Cyrus’s eyes gleam with mischief. “I’m going to poke the bear.”
Before I can object, he’s already moving toward Landon. I follow, calculating potential outcomes. Landon’s shoulders stiffen as we approach.
“She’s pretty,” Cyrus says, gesturing toward Sadie’s monitor. “Smart choice.”
He doesn’t turn. “She’s mine. Find someone else.”
I watch the interaction dispassionately, noting Landon’s possessiveness—unusual for him. Typically, he approaches the Hunt with clinical detachment. This emotional investment deviates from the pattern.
Cyrus laughs. “That’s not how the Hunt works, Blackwood. Fair game until someone claims her.”
I step closer, analyzing Sadie’s movements on screen. “The hacker. Interesting profile. Systematic mind. Responds well to dominance.”
Landon’s hands curl into fists—another tell. He’s emotionally compromised.
“Stay away from her,” he warns, turning to face us.
Cyrus catches my eye, a silent question passing between us. I give an imperceptible nod. We have our prey, and it isn’t Sadie.
“Rules state the first hunter to catch a prey gets exclusive rights,” I remind him, intentionally provoking.
“I know the fucking rules,” Landon hisses.