Page 143 of The Hunger
She shrugged lightly. “All of it, or you don’t get my clothes.”
I was so angry I wanted to scratch her eyes out. Maybe Raiden was smart to put that druid spell on me. Given my current mood, I probably would have done something I regretted.
Without a word, I tugged off the rest and threw them on the floor. Her gaze traveled the length of me.
“He has to be blind to want such a pathetically weak creature.”
She threw her bundle of clothes at my face and laughed when I failed to catch it.
“It wasn’t my strength that attracted him,” I said. “Isn’t catching your mate’s scent the whole purpose of a mate run?”
She sneered at me. “Don’t be naïve. The scent attracts their attention, but it’s the strength that seals the bond. Pairings are always equal, which is why you’ll be on your knees again before the day’s done. Although, I doubt begging for mercy will be enough to keep me from marking you.”
“I’m not one of your pack,” I said, yanking her shirt over my head.
“No, but you did try to take what’s mine.”
“He’s not yours. And this spell won’t hold me forever.” Her jeans, sans undergarments, went on next.
“Fair point about the spell,” Aubrey said, redressing just as quickly. But in my underwear. “After I mate Fenris, I’ll be sure to have Fenris pay the druid to make it permanent.”
“You are so insane. My mom, the Quills, Megan, Oanen…do you honestly think they’d stand by and do nothing even if there was a spell of that magnitude?”
“You’re so weak you have to depend on everyone to come to your rescue. And maybe they would if they ever found out it was me. But I think you’re right. A spell would cost too much when there are cheaper and quieter ways to get rid of you.”
“Oh no,” I mocked. “Now, I’m definitely going to back down and go hide in a corner somewhere. Thanks for giving me a reason to stay so I can gloat when things don’t go your way.”
Her face flushed an angry red, and she took a step toward me as the door opened. I was so livid I didn’t immediately look away.
“Based on what I’m smelling, the spell worked. You can both come out,” Raiden said.
I flashed him a look filled with the promise of retribution then stomped out the door.
“Are you okay?” Jenna asked when I joined her.
During the few minutes I’d been inside, the size of the crowd had almost doubled.
“Fine,” I said quietly. We both knew I was lying, though. I wanted to hit Raiden and Aubrey. Adira had made me angry many, many times in the past. But I couldn’t ever remember wanting to physically harm her.
Focusing on my breathing, I watched Raiden as he stood near the fire and faced the crowd.
“The order has been established. Four groups will run. Aubrey has proven herself the strongest contender. She will have a fifteen-minute lead before the first group is released. You will have an hour before the next group joins you.”
My mouth dropped open. They wanted to chase Fenris for over four hours?
Raiden’s gaze landed on me.
“If there’s no mating howl by dusk, you may join the others in the woods.”
My mouth snapped shut, and my resentment grew on Fenris’s behalf. Four hours had been ridiculous. All day was more so.
He turned to look at Aubrey.
“Good luck.”
With that, she jogged into the woods. The daylight run and forcing me to change clothes made more sense now. They wanted him to see her and think it was me. I shook my head.
“We both know this isn’t going to work,” I said softly.
