---- VALERIA I choose my maid.


    I brought her, and ll take care of her.


    July,e stand by my side.


    Dave started, and I had to stifle augh at Juliettes sudden turtle act, when she was usually worse than a chatty parrot.


    I choose Celine.


    I didnt hesitate to pick her.


    She knew my secrets, and I had no idea if this game would end with one of my...


    episodes.


    Alow growl suddenly rumbled, making everyone tensebut I didnt even bother looking at the culprit.


    Since he did whatever he pleased, I could do the same.


    Pll take Erik, Dave continued picking lycans like they were vegetables.


    Beof...


    The towering brute moved to my side, and the tension in the air could have been cut with a knife.


    Only Aldric and Guardian Quinn remained.


    Well, Ichoose Let Valeria choose, His Majesty cut Dave offpletely, his voice heavy with rage, his oppressive aura barely contained.


    Tell us, Valeria, who will you choose? He asked, and lifted my blue eyes to meet his stormy, frozen gray stare, drilling into me with a deadly intensity.


    A defiant spark red in my chest.


    At first, Ihad just been teasing him a little, but now I wanted to push him to the edge.


    That delicious tingling in my stomach swelled.


    I think my flirty butterfly was ready to strike and me? I wanted to be punished today.


    I choose Guardian Quinn, I said, and a collective gasp echoed through the group.


    I think everyone expected Aldric to lose his mind with rage the next second, but instead, he just smirked.


    And it would have been sexy if it werent for his massive canines showing, turning it into a sinister, threatening grin.


    Have it your way, baby.


    You made your choice.


    He stormed over to Daves side, not sparing me another nce.


    Quinn stepped closer to our team, now officially the sworn enemies of the Lycan King ---- valeria, youre my hero, Dave whispered beside me.


    Davel Less talking, more nning! The bosss roar snapped us into action.


    The game was pretty simple, just something fun to pass the time.


    We were the attackers, and they were the defenders.


    We had to race through the forest filled with obstacles and ambushes, find their fort, and rece their g with ours.


    The opposing team advanced, disappearing into the mist.


    I kept watching Aldrics back, hoping he''d at least throw me a scornful nce.


    But nohe was almost out of sight, and nothing.


    Arent you even going to say goodbye? I taunted him mentally.


    I see you''re enjoying yourself, but dont worry.


    The one whoughsst,ughs best.


    His threat echoed back, childish yet sharp, as he disappeared to guard his fort.


    Suddenly, I remembered thest punishment I nearly received on the Goddesss Altar, anda chill ran through me.


    My ass clenched nervouslybut nah, he couldnt be that petty...


    right? Valeria, I suggest you shift into your wolf form.


    You''ll be faster that way, Celine advised, and Inodded.


    We hid behind some trees, stashing our clothes for safekeeping, and my small Omega wolf emerged.


    Celine gave mea strange look.


    I guess she was wondering how I could shift into so many different forms.


    Well, she was pretty weird herself.


    Beof went ahead to scout the best path and track the enemy.


    Be cautiousthe mist in the forest masks scents well.


    Trust all your instincts, Quinn warned, and a deep howl echoed from within the foggy woods.


    The hunt at dusk had begun.


    See My wolf''s paws raced freely over the grass of this ancient forest, which once felt so dangerous and suffocating from afar, but now called me to y and explore.


    Ihadnt forgotten that somewhere in these endless woods was the Goddess''s Altar.


    But right now, all Icared about was winning.


    Watch out, Valeria! Quinns voice rang through my mind, and I tensed, narrowly dodging a sudden attack from someone ambushing me from a tree branch above.


    ---- It was Erik, aiming to snatch the red g from my jaws.


    He lunged at me, but a massive brown lycan tackled him, mming him against a tree trunk that groaned, nearly snapping under the impact.


    Run, run! Pll hold him off! Quinn ordered, and Celine helped me up so we could sprint again, leaping over roots, dodging bushes, and ducking low branches.


    Veer right! Right! There are bogs hidden by the mist ahead! Beofs deep voice thundered through our minds, and Celine and I shifted direction blindly.


    Celine, do you smell anything? How will we know where their fort is? I asked, relying solely on her guidance.