Page 5 of The Hunt: Emerald

The box rattles again, louder this time. The magic beneath the floor hums hotter, sharper, almost as if it knows we’re getting close, knocking all sleep from my mind.Shit…I rub the palms of my hands on my thighs, but there’s no point in doing that either when I’m naked…

“I-I changed my mind,” I hear from the other corner of the box, and I see it’s a girl sobbing into her palms before clawing at the iron collar around her throat. “Please! By the Source, please! L-let me out! I don’t want this! I… I don’t want to die!” she cries and sets off another Omega near her.

Damn, now Ireallycan’t sleep. Their whimpers turn into haunting wails.

Their fear thickens the pheromones in the box, making it heavy enough to suffocate on, but I don’t move. Neither do the three other women beside me… the same ones who were cast on the projector and showed no emotion.

At that exact, moment a projector pops up in the middle of the box carriage, and as if to give us all a big, “Fuck you,” the Administrator’s face and voice come through loud and clear with a repeat of the rules.

ANYTHING GOES.

Alphas may kill other Alphas or Omegas without penalty. Any Omega me kill an Alpha.

All beings within the Hunt’s arena are able to kill and be killed. Bloodshed isexpected, encouraged, and honored. No grievance shall be heard for the dead.

OMEGAS ARECLAIMED BY RIGHT OF CAPTURE.

Any Omega caught may be used howevertheAlpha sees fit… body, bond, or otherwise. Consent is not required once captured. All acts are legal within the Hunt.

NO LEAVING THE GROUNDS.

All participants, whether Alpha or Omega, who cross beyond the Hunt’s designated boundaries, shall be executed. No exceptions.

THE HUNT LASTS SEVEN DAYS.

The Hunt begins at thefirst horn blast and endsat sunset on the seventh day, after the final horn. No Alpha may claim victory, no Omegamayclaim freedom, and no prizes will be awarded before theseventh day ends and the eighth horn blows.

If anAlpha delivers a live Omega to the checkpoint before sunset on the final day, they must remain inside the checkpoint with their claim until the Hunt ends to be declared victor.

Any Omega caught before the seventh sunset is still in the game and can still earn freedom as long as they reach the checkpoint unaccompanied by an Alpha.

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