The president, Carl Ridgeton, lit up with surprise when he saw me. “Clara! Are you not sick?”
I gave a bitter smile and nodded.
He looked genuinely pleased. “Your pack’s Luna came to me earlier, saying you were ill. I thought it was a pity. Have you decided whether you’ll be competing as a pack representative or a league representative?”
1 nodded firmly. Tm entering the hunting competition as a league representative.”
As soon as I said it, Carl clapped his hands in approval. “Then make sure you show off your hunting skills and have the others learn from you.”
With his permission, I joined the league representatives heading into the hunting grounds.
Outside the arena, the competition was already being broadcast live on the news.
The deeper we moved into the hunting grounds, the more intense the pressure became, and even the air itself felt heavier.
I know that feeling. It was the aura of something dangerous,
I was about to lie low and wait for the beast to make its move when Wendy–of all people–appeared, walking in arm–in–arm with Blake and looking completely clueless.
Wendy spotted some flowers deeper in the grounds and gasped. “Blake, look! Those flowers are gorgeous! Let’s pick one and bring it back
1 followed her gaze
The flower was vibrant, beautiful, and dangerously out of place. Anyone who tried to pick it would trigger a beast.
Given
Wendy and Blake’s actual skill level after all these years, I knew there was no way they’d make it out unharmed.
Just as Wendy was about to reach for the flower, I stepped between them. “You can’t pick that ”
Wendy’s eyes widened in shock when she saw me. She faked surprise and shouted, “Oh my God! Clara, are you seriously crashing the competition just to get Blake’s attention?”
When he heard her voice, Blake came over with annoyance. “What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to stay outside the grounds?”
I rolled my eyes. “If I hadn’t come, your precious Wendy would already be dead.
Blake frowned. “What are you talking about?”
e you
