Page 163 of Hunt Me

Scattered cheers fought against them.

The official continued.

“Each challenge ends when one combatant yields, loses consciousness, becomes physically incapable of continuing, or dies.”

Matilda’s hand slipped into Luka’s, and his fingers immediately closed around hers.

“Weapons are permitted; however, no outside interference shall be tolerated. Between challenges, David shall be granted ten minutes to recover. He may refuse the next challenge at any time, thereby forfeiting his claim and ending the tournament.”

Luka frowned. Ten minutes was inefficient. Even with David’s altered physiology, it would be difficult for him to regain his strength in such a narrow window.

The official turned toward David.

“Do you understand these terms?”

“I do.”

“And do you accept them?”

David looked at the gloating contenders before his gaze traveled toward the royal platform. He met Matilda’s eyes. She gave him a single nod of reassurance.

It was enough.

David had not accepted the challenge for power or a throne. He had returned to reclaim the life that had been stolen from him, and Prince Lykaon’s death was the only way he’d be truly free.

“I accept.”

The official raised his staff.

“Then let the challenge begin.”

Gamma Soren stepped forward. “You should’ve remained a ghost.”

“You shall be one when I’m finished with you,” David promised.

59

Bloody Victory

Matilda had expected David to win against Gamma Soren, but she hadn’t expected him to make it look so easy.

Gamma Soren shifted the moment the official dropped his staff. His bones cracked and rearranged beneath his skin as he fell forward, emerging as a massive gray wolf. Confusion rippled through the crowd as David remained in his human form. Soren charged and Matilda felt a moment of unease wash over her when David stood still, feet planted in the dirt ring.

“Move,” she muttered. She gripped Luka’s fingers when Soren lunged for David’s throat.

David sidestepped at the final moment, caught the wolf by the scruff, and used Soren’s own momentum to drive him face-first into the earth.

The crowd exhaled a gasp when David hauled the stunned wolf upward and slammed him down twice before a third time that left Soren motionless.

Silence fell over the grounds as David straightened and dusted his hands against his trousers.

“My word,” Ezra commented.

“I hadn’t expected the bout to end so quickly,” Luka murmured as the official rushed forward and crouched beside Soren. “Gamma Soren is unable to continue!” he announced.

Cheers erupted from scattered sections, drowning out the boos from Gamma Soren’s supporters.

“One down. Three remain,” Matilda said, clapping at David’s swift victory. She briefly observed men running down the risers to place bets on the next fight.