"Why Isabella?" Callum leaned forward. "What draws you to Chloe?"

Isabella's gaze swept over her ancient clansmen. A thousand years of immortality had left them desperate for entertainment, and The Games, well, perhaps second only to the annual Bloodlust Gala, provided rare excitement.

"There's something in her eyes," she replied. "A warrior's spirit."

Callum smirked. "She won't survive the first round."

All eyes turned to the massive screen displaying the contestants.

"Brother," Arran interjected, "I've wagered on Jasmine. She's paired with the strongest male."

Ariana rolled her eyes. "You're both idiots. Love follows no logic. Remember how I despised Fergus before falling for him?"

Laughter rippled through the group.

"How could we forget?" Callum raised his glass. "Place your bets. Let the games commence."

They tapped their phones, digital wagers confirmed.

Chloe checked the watch. "We need a strategy."

"How?" Hunter frowned. "We don't know what we're facing."

"First rule: we stay together. Always."

"Why did you choose me?" he asked suddenly.

Chloe stepped closer. "Your eyes, Hunter. They told me everything I needed to know."

A sharp knock interrupted them. The butler entered, his posture rigid.

"Change into these," he commanded, extending the suit and dress to them.

"Thanks," Chloe managed, her voice steady. "Go change first," she added, nodding toward the bathroom. Hunter disappeared inside and emerged moments later in the suit. Chloe glanced up at him, taking a shallow breath. Okay, focus, she thought. She ducked into the bathroom herself, finding everything laid out neatly. She changed quickly, brushed her hair, and added just a touch of blush to her pale face. Death chic, she decided dryly, naming the look on the spot. When she stepped out, Hunter's gaze lingered for a beat too long before he caught himself and reached for her hand. She looked stunning, not that she cared to acknowledge it. The timer buzzed, the door swung open, and they were ushered down the long hallway. The marble throne room they'd seen earlier had been transformed into some kind of decadent party. Servers circulated with trays of drinks. Chloe grabbed one and drained it in a single gulp.

Hunter shot her a sharp look. "What the hell? We need to stay sharp. This isn't real." "Don't tell me what to do," she snapped back, her voice cutting through the chatter. Callum materialized beside them, his smile sharp.

"May I have this dance, Chloe?"

"Do I have a choice?" she shot back, her tone icy. He chuckled, low and amused. "No, you don't. But I see why Isabella's taken with you. That fire, it's intoxicating." His smile faltered as Hunter stepped forward.

"How is this fair?" Hunter demanded, his voice tight. A hand landed on his shoulder, and Isabella appeared beside him. "Dance with me instead," she offered, her tone smooth but firm.

A glowing board lit up, displaying their names, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

Chloe glanced at Hunter. They were third on the list.

Jasmine and Damon were first, Olivia and Jayson second, followed by Dana and Kaden, Samantha and Marcus, and finally Ebony and Brian.

Callum's gaze settled on Chloe. "You smell divine," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.

Chloe's stomach churned. She scanned the room for Hunter. "What the hell does that even mean?" she muttered.

"I'm surprised he hasn't tasted you yet," Callum continued, his grin widening.

"What are you talking about?" she shot back, her voice sharp.

"You can taste him, or he can taste you. Do whatever feels right. Just know you can't change him after."

Chloe narrowed her eyes. "What kind of twisted game are you running here?"

Callum leaned in, his breath cold against her ear. "Can't spoil the surprises, can I?" He pressed his lips to her hand, icy and lingering, before disappearing into the crowd.

She turned and nearly collided with Hunter. "Are you okay?" he asked, his brow furrowed.

"Creeped out," she admitted. "But yeah. I need another drink."

Hunter grabbed her arm. "Chloe, we need to focus. Who knows what's coming next?"

She sighed. "Fine. Then dance with me and tell me something I don't know."

He hesitated, then pulled her closer. "I died fighting. Betrayed by someone I trusted."

"Ouch," Chloe said. "My father killed me."

Hunter smiled. "Okay, you win."

She laughed despite herself. "A woman?"

"Yeah," he admitted. "Someone I thought I loved."

Chloe's stomach sank. "Great. So now you hate women. This is going well."

Hunter tilted her chin up. "We can do this. Don't give up on me, Chloe."

She met his gaze. "I'll fight to the end, Hunter. The question is, will you?"

A bell rang, and the board shifted. They dropped to fourth place.

"They're watching us," Chloe muttered under her breath, her eyes darting around the room. "Every damn move."

Hunter swore under his breath. "Great. Just what we need, audience participation."

"This might be the time to switch partners," Hunter said, her hand suddenly clamping over his mouth.

"What the hell?" Hunter mumbled, muffled against her palm. He leaned in, catching a whiff of her, smelled so good and his stomach growled. He clenched his jaw, forcing the hunger down. Closing his eyes, he tightened his grip on her waist.

A bell chimed, and the crowd shifted, leaving the contestants exposed to the floor like prey.

"Time to change partners, if you wish," Callum announced, his grin smug as he waited, arms crossed.

Brian stepped forward, zeroing in on Chloe. "I want you," he declared, his blatant tone. Ebony stood behind him, tears streaking her face.

Hunter stepped in front of Chloe, his voice low and dangerous. "Back off. Unless you want to regret it."

"Let the lady speak for herself, Hunter," Brian shot back, undeterred.

Chloe peered around Hunter's shoulder. "I'm staying with him."

Isabella cheered, clapping her hands, while Callum smirked. "Still think they'll make it?"

"I do," Isabella replied, her tone firm. "They're meant for each other."

Brian retreated to Ebony, who promptly slapped him hard across the face.

Meanwhile, Kaden and Dana were snapping at each other, Olivia and Jayson were locked in a heated argument, and Samantha was glaring at Marcus. The bell rang again.

Hunter grabbed Chloe's hand, and she squeezed it tightly, her nails digging into his palm.

"Alright, back to your rooms," Callum called out. "Rest for an hour. Be ready for the first game."

Chloe leaned back against the pillows, the room thick with tension. Hunter settled beside her, his fingers brushing hers. "Chloe," he started, hesitating. "I can't focus. I'm starving."

She stayed quiet.

The air felt heavy, like everyone was holding their breath. Hunger wasn't something they talked about, not until now. The crowd watched the screen.

She turned to him, her voice steady. "One of us has to keep it together, right?" Her hand grazed the faint scar on his face. "Hunter, no matter what happens, I hope you get what you're after."

Her eyes closed as his lips barely touched hers. Then he bit down, just enough to draw blood, before pulling back, confusion clouding his expression.

"Hunter?" she murmured, opening her eyes.

"What are you?" he mumbled, fighting the urge to go further. Instead, he kissed her again, deeper this time. She leaned into it, her hand resting lightly on his chest.

When they finally broke apart, he held her close, inhaling the faint scent of her skin.

"Feel better?" she asked, her tone soft.

"Yeah," he replied with a shaky laugh, his fingers tracing her pale cheek. "Aren't you hungry?"

"Oh, I am," she admitted. "But I'm trying to keep it in check."

He kissed her again, slowly, her touch lingering on him.

The doorbell rang, sharp and sudden. They exchanged a look. He took her hand, and together they walked down the long hallway, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the silence.

Hunter gripped her hand tightly, feeling the faint tremble in her fingers. Vampires moved in swiftly, dragging the girls away. Chloe's fingers brushed him for a moment before she was yanked out of reach. He clenched his jaw, stifling the urge to shout at Callum, who stood there with that infuriating smirk.

"Alright, listen up," Callum announced, pacing like a ringmaster. "Six cemeteries. One night. Find your mate. Escape, get help, or, hell, I don't know, do nothing and die. Your choice. You'll be escorted to your starting point. Pick a cemetery, any cemetery. Your mate is in a mausoleum, buried alive. Well, technically dead. But you get the point. Find her, because of the horrors she's facing? Yeah, they're her worst nightmares that come to life. Literally." He chuckled, the sound dripping with malice. Hunter felt a cold knot twist in his gut.

"Place your bets!" Callum called out, and the crowd erupted into cheers.

Hunter glanced at the map. He pointed to the farthest cemetery, his decision quick and deliberate. A vampire grabbed him roughly, shoving him into the back of a darkened car. The door slammed shut, leaving him in silence.

The screens flickered to life, casting an eerie blue light on the crowd gathered, their faces illuminated with anticipation and excitement. The six screens showed different views of the cemeteries: each one bathed in moonlight and shadows. The crowd, with their eager expressions and betting on their phones, watched as the contestants were shoved into the darkened cars.

In her coffin, Chloe's eyes flew open, walls closing around her. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing shallow breaths through constricted lungs.

Jasmine lay still, thinking she might survive this, claustrophobia wasn't her demon. Then something cold slid across her stomach. A black snake writhed beside her in a narrow space, and her scream echoed inside the sealed box.

Dana shifted sideways, whispering, "Just temporary, just temporary," like a mantra. When darkness suddenly enveloped her, her composure shattered into a piercing shriek.

Hunter concentrated, knowing scent was his only guide. "Focus," "Find her before it's too late." The memory of her lips against his lingered as the car jerked to a stop.

A vampire hauled him out, shoving him through the cemetery gates. Hunter sprinted forward, nostrils flaring for any trace of her. The grounds stretched endlessly, but he remembered Callum's words and veered toward the cluster of mausoleums in the distance.

Elsewhere, Olivia had already fainted mid-scream. Ebony trembled violently against the wall of the coffin. And Samantha, composed until now, thrashed wildly as earthworms rained down upon her face.

Hunter was certain she wasn't there. He bolted back to the car, barking at the driver to head to the next cemetery. An hour passed, his mind stuck on Chloe. What kind of nightmare was she trapped in? His chest tightened as he scanned the cemetery grounds, zeroing in on the mausoleums. He took off running.

Meanwhile, Chloe forced herself to breathe steadily, eyes shut tight. She focused on the memory of Hunter's kiss, real, deliberate, nothing like the clumsy pecks she'd known before. She clung to that, replaying it in her mind. His face flashed behind her closed lids, and then the light in the coffin flickered out. Panic surged. "This isn't real," her voice trembling. "You're already dead. Nothing can hurt you." She raised her voice, defiant. "You won't break me, Callum!" Then, almost instinctively, she began to sing, an old tune, something her grandmother used to hum. The crowd, watching the screens, started cheering for her. Someone tossed in cash, and just like that, the light flickered back on.

Her beautiful face was back onto the screen, wide-eyed but determined. Arran smiled.

"Brother," Callum said, raising an eyebrow, "didn't expect that."

"I like her," Arran replied, leaning back. "I'm rooting for her."

Callum chuckled. "You do realize this is about love, right? If she falls for him..."

"Love?" Arran cut in, waving a hand. "I've got eternity for that. This? This is just fun."

Callum laughed, clearly loving his twisted games.

Meanwhile, Jasmine's breathing slowed as the snake coiled around her neck. The casket lid creaked open, and Damon hauled her out, wrapping her in a tight hug. Her body shook like a leaf. The crowd erupted in cheers.

Hunter caught her scent, subtle but unmistakable. He followed it straight to the mausoleum, wrenching open a casket to find Chloe inside, her terrified eyes locking onto his. He pulled her out, hands moving quickly to check her over. His lips met her briefly before he buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply.

Arran watched a smirk playing on his lips. "Amour..."

The others were still searching. Hunter and Chloe were brought back, sitting together as they watched the screens. His arm stayed tight around her, her head resting on his shoulder.

"What did you face?" Hunter asked quietly.

"Claustrophobia. Darkness,"

He cursed under his breath. "Glad I got a taste of you. Your scent led me straight there."

Marcus stumbled upon Samantha first, then Kaden managed to dig up Dana. The clock was ticking, and Brian was tearing through the last cemetery, frantic. Ebony whispered prayers under her breath, her voice trembling. Callum let out a booming laugh.

"No gods are going to save you, sweetheart," almost pitying. Time was up. They were hauled back.

Chloe buried her face into Hunter's chest as the vampires descended on the couple in a frenzy. "Stay strong, Chloe," he murmured into her ear, his arms locking around her tight.

Nwa territory

Muscles rippled beneath midnight fur as the cat transformed into a massive wolf, then bounded into the bayou's murky depths. After pacing frantically, he shifted back to human form and dressed quickly. He waited by the fire barrel as his pack returned. "They've taken her," he roared, fists clenched. "My fated mate, gone before I could save her."

An elder stepped forward. "Liam, I understand your rage, but our hands are tied. They won't turn her until after the games... if she survives."

Liam collapsed to his knees. "She doesn't even know I exist. All these years watching over her...""I killed her father," he confessed suddenly. "He deserved it." "Justice!" the pack howled with approval.

The elder shook his head. "You can't challenge them. What would you even say? 'She's mine, return her'? She's a stranger to you. Be patient, son. We can't risk war with Callum's clan, they'd destroy us. "A primal scream tore from Liam's throat. The thought of his beautiful mate becoming a vampire was unbearable.

Callum's estate

Hunter led her back to the room, her hand in his. The table was set with food, and her stomach growled loudly.

"How can we even think about eating right now?" she asked, popping a grape into her mouth like a squirrel hoarding nut.

He chuckled. "We're not vampires yet, remember? limbo got its perks."

"Fine," she said, mouth still full. "Then eat."

The old man entered again, and she froze mid-bite.

"Get dressed," he ordered.

She glanced at the dress, long, black, with a back that plunged dangerously low. She and Hunter exchanged a look. Without a word, she slipped into the bathroom to change.

When she stepped out, Hunter felt like the air had been knocked out of him. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath. She looked beautiful, her hair swept up, her neck exposed.

"What? I feel naked," tugging at the dress.

He let out a nervous laugh. "No, Chloe. You look... incredible." He kissed her hand, his eyes locked on hers. Despite her pale skin, her cheeks flushed.

Isabella clapped her hands. "What a moment!"

Callum smirked. "Isabella, you're such a romantic."

"His eyes told me everything," she replied. "She's still holding back a little, though. She's a lady."

Callum glanced at Isabella, who was wearing a striking red dress. He took her hand. "Let's party."

Most of the contestant couples were already there. Hunter and Chloe joined the group.

"Follow us," the leaders instructed.

They led the way, the contestants trailing behind, followed by the rest of the vampire clan. The doors opened to a sprawling outdoor balcony, romantically decorated with dim lighting, red roses, couches, and tables. Drinks flowed, and music played softly.

"Alright," Callum announced, raising his glass. "Contestants, mingle. Swap partners, dance, talk, do whatever you want." He finished his drink with a laugh.

Hunter kept his grip on her hand. "Let's pair up with someone," scanning the room.

Jasmine and Damon approached, Damon's smile was already in place. "Hey," he greeted, his eyes sliding to Chloe.

"Hey," Hunter replied flatly.

"Can I dance with her?" Damon asked, his tone casual but his gaze lingering too long.

Hunter stepped closer, his voice low. "You touch her wrong, and I'll end you." He reluctantly let go of Chloe's hand.

Taking Jasmine's hand instead, Hunter couldn't help but glance back at Chloe. Jasmine's short dress left little to the imagination, her blonde hair cascading down her back. But Hunter's focus stayed on Chloe.

Damon froze mid-step as a pack of enormous wolves emerged, their growls rumbling through the air. Chloe turned, her eyes locking onto the lead wolf, black fur, piercing gaze, stalking toward her. She blinked, confused.

Hunter leapt in front of her, positioning himself as a shield. The wolf growled, low and menacing. The crowd scattered, creating a wide berth.

Callum strolled over, glass in hand. "Oh, Liam. Who let the dogs out?"

The crowd chuckled nervously. The black wolf shifted, his human form stark naked, glaring at Callum. "You've got my fated mate. Hand her over. Now." His eyes snapped at Chloe, who looked utterly bewildered, glancing behind her as if someone else might be the subject of this madness.

Isabella eyed him up and down. "Hello, Liam."

He smirked. "Like what you see, Isabella?" Someone tossed him a pair of pants, which he pulled on quickly.

Chloe stared at him, wide-eyed. He looked like he'd just walked out of the wilderness, long black hair, muscles, tattoos. He stepped toward her, and she instinctively backed up.

"Hi, Chloe. Come with me. You can choose..."

"She can't, Liam," Callum interrupted. "If she leaves, she dies. To win, she must fall in love."

Liam turned on him, fury blazing. "You'll pay for this. She wasn't yours to take. She's, my mate!" His shout echoed, and vampires began closing in.

Chloe stepped in front of Liam, surprising even him. "Wait, what are you talking about?" she asked, confusion etched on her face.

"I'm your black cat, Nwa. I've watched over you because you're, my fated mate."

"Nwa?" Her legs buckled, and he caught her before she hit the floor.

Hunter stepped closer, "Get your hands off her."

Liam smirked, his grip firm on Chloe. "You're her partner in this little game, huh?"

"Yeah, and she's mine," Hunter shot back, his voice low. "So back the hell off."

Liam's hand snapped to Hunter's neck, pulling him close while keeping Chloe pressed to his chest. His lips brushed her cheek, and he inhaled deeply, eyes closing for a fleeting moment.

"Liam," Callum's voice cut in, calm but edged with warning. "Let go, or you're starting a war. You've already crossed the line."

Liam released Hunter with a shove, then gently guided Chloe to a nearby couch. He kissed her forehead, his touch lingering, before shifting into his wolf form. Her hand reached out, brushing his fur as her eyes fluttered open. He nuzzled her hand briefly, then turned and stalked away, disappearing into the shadows, as the pack followed him.

Hunter sat down beside her. "You know him?" he asked, his tone cautious.

"As a cat, yeah," she replied, still dazed. "But as a human? No clue. I didn't even know wolves could turn into humans. Hell, I'm still trying to wrap my head around vampires."

Hunter exhaled sharply. "Okay, let's take a breath. We'll figure this out."

Callum appeared, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Mind if I steal Chloe for a moment?"

Hunter hesitated, then stood, leaving her side reluctantly.

Callum took her hand, his grip cool and firm. "What do you want, Chloe?"

She met his gaze head-on. "I want Hunter."

"Good," Callum said, nodding as if he'd expected nothing less. "Let's dance."

She felt his icy hand settle on her back, sending a shiver racing down her spine.