Bloodlines and Hearts

as dissecting her core truth, she could feel him stripping off her prote

st think I have some hidden agenda, but stalk

Ok

inked.

nchalant like he already knew. "A wolf-or maybe just me," he added, sounding

out not being trouble?" He shook his head. "No. You ar

d. "You don't

e vital fact about you. You don't belong here, Little Trouble

her ability to respond for a brief moment. She felt her throat clos

ack and opened the door. "Go find Vanessa," he sai

motionless, her heart raci

the nickname he'd given her rang st

s effect. She was halfway down the stairs, ready to head back to her dorm

lking, not even hurrying-ful

up and heels running toward the door like their lives depended on it. It seemed l

uriosity overcame her judgment. You know what they sa

the fuss was about. Students formed a wide circle on the open field behind the house. She initially belie

re picki

of a hat?" Lydia whispered to herself,

ing her. She turned to see a guy who looked like he wa

" she asked

with a smirk before tur

pproval as a name was announc

r your hunter..

tomach

ooking completely unbothered like this was ju

ing his time as he shuffled through the papers before slowly pulling one out.

d laughed knowingly. Othe

d before calling the

with playful whistles. Lydia witnessed the entrance of a stan

king this seriously at all. "Guess tonight just got int

didn'

g his head slightly. "What's wron

revealing nothing. "Didn't realize the

ponse, but Nikolas just

e," Nikolas said, rolling his shoulders.

impressed. "You gonna start

. "Don't worry. I plan o

to get a good view as Ethan and Nikolas fac

might be new here, but anyone could see this wasn't ju

nd head start. If he makes it to the safe zone before getting caught, he wins."

pered bets being made-most were on Ethan, but some plac

histle

he sound even fully faded. He was fast-really fast-tearin

hell. Some were cheering for him, s

th

adn't ev

There's no way h

en paying attention. His eyes closed, head tilted slightl

way to the tree line. He'

e sec

T

O

and then he moved or maybe

e. The next, he was gone-a blur of speed

harpened, his golden eyes burning like embers. He wasn't fully

screamed in

ing over fallen logs, pushing his legs to their absolute limit. He w

stronger. Deadl

his head tilting slightly, his wolf instincts screami

ut if he kept his direct path, Ethan would cut him off in secon

dia thought it mi

appeared out

he force of it knocking him completely off his feet. He hit the

pact wa

e wasn

as he staggered back up. He snarled, his own claws

look impress

las l

he swore she heard the crack of bone. Nikolas went low, tryi

utal, effortless mov

n his back, and Ethan was already on him,

was

blew, and the

-ETHAN L

and down. People were exchanging wagers and going crazy over t

e had been holding her breat

ut Ethan just stepped back, brushing dirt off hi

be this lucky

His eyes blazed with rage. "You held back

asn't done. He charged forward, s

uid motion and he was behind Nikolas, claws slici

But Nikolas was past thinking. He

ed "Stop!" but

just raw fury. Blood and dirt flew as they tore into each other. Or should I say a

" someone ye

tudents started backing away - when someone like

Hayes is

one ran to their dorms. Nobody wanted