Above me on the balcony, the two Alpha guards are scuffling. It’ll probably be a while before the winner can follow me. More than enough time. I’ve cut off the useless parts of my clothing—not that it actually clothes or covers me—and now I can run properly.
The sand is hot under my feet. That yummy Alpha scent is calling me. I’d better run before it’s too much to ignore.
I take a step, and freeze.
Dozens of Alphas are staring at me—all the half-naked soldiers who were sparring with each other a moment ago. Now, they’re looking at me like the guards were—like they’re wolves, and I’m a baby bunny.
And in the middle of them all is a blur of gold, bellowing something.
“Kim! Run!”
Shit. Again?
I scuttle back, my weapon raised. My back’s to the arena wall. Where can I run to? Where are the damn doors?
A few yards away, a huge warrior pushes two Alphas aside and lunges for me.
Before I can think, my arm snaps back and I throw my stolen weapon like a javelin. It sails true and buries itself in the Alpha’s chest. He skids to a stop, looking shocked.
No one’s more shocked than I am. I just threw a weapon like a fucking warrior. I have no idea how I did it. But it definitely happened.
The Alpha grabs the blade and rips it out of his own body. Blood gushes out of the wound, but it barely seems to deter him.
I bought myself some time, but he’s still going to come for me.
Sure enough, with a growl, he tosses my weapon aside and lunges for me again. Five more warriors seem to be following in his wake.
I squeak, and race away. I dart along the arena wall to the right, and cut across the sand in a zigzag pattern.
It’s no use. A tall, lean Alpha is gaining on me. He’s outpaced the others.
“Parkour!” I yell, and dash towards the side wall as fast as I can. My feet take over and I run up the freaking side of the arena! The Alpha slams into the wall below me and I throw myself backwards, into an arching flip over his head.
He bellows his loss. By the time he’s whirled around, I’m back on my feet again, sprinting away. I duck and weave through the rest of the pack.
Fucking badass!
But I can't do this forever.
A name catches in my throat. My breath drags though my lungs. The heat, the Alpha scent—everything in me wants to lie down and submit. But not until I find him. My Alpha.
Two other soldiers reach for me. I snatch up a weapon and slash through the gauntlet. All of these Alphas smell wrong. I need…
“Aurus!”
“Kim,” he roars. “I’m coming.”
Somehow, I’m back at the slashed curtain. I leap and grab handfuls of the filmy fabric, climbing desperately. A pack of Alphas are gathering in a crowd below. If I fall…
There’s a flash of gold, and Aurus crashes into the Alphas. He’s everywhere, his long sword swinging and beating back the soldiers. A few fight back and Aurus slices them bloody, then slams his elbow or fist into their temples. When he hits them hard in the head, their eyes roll back into their skulls and they drop, unconscious but alive.
That temple strike seems to be an Alpha soldier’s Achilles heel. I file away that knowledge for later.
Aurus punches his own soldiers out, a demonic light in his eyes. He moves with beautiful, flowing, predatory grace. Brutal perfection. I’ve forgotten to breathe. I gulp down air before I pass out.
A huge Alpha races forward, whipping what looks like a mace towards Aurus’s back.
“Look out!” I scream.
