Ulvic
I'd known Ignus was planning to use my wolves in the last round, but watching Reason, Mekiah and Jameson murder girls was too much for me to stomach. They were lost to the poison my own hands had made, keeping them in wolf form, forcing away all humanity from their bodies until all that remained was rage.
Ignus had found me heaving in the men's bathroom just off of the casino. Screens were erected everywhere in the hotel. There was no escaping it. My room wasn't a haven, it was a prison. No matter where I went, the games followed.
“You alright in there?” Ignus called from outside the stall.
Shame washed into my cheeks as I coughed up the remnants of my dinner.
“Fine,” I said stiffly, shutting my eyes to try and force back the searing pain behind them.
I bought time by faking a few more retches, taking out my tablet and finding a message from Selena.
Varick has Layla's tablet. We might need your help soon.
I deleted the message before tucking the tablet away.
Ignus knocked gently on the door. “Come on, I've got you some water.”
I stood on shaky legs, using a wad of toilet roll to wipe the corners of my mouth. Heading out of the stall, I exited into the grand bathroom of golden fixings and cream tiles, a small water fountain trickling away at the heart of it.
Ignus was in a white shirt, his collar undone and a crooked smile on his face. He rested a hand on my shoulder. “All better?”
I was humiliated, but I nodded all the same. “I had too much to drink,” I lied.
Ignus frowned, rubbing my back. “I can get you some water.”
I shook my head, moving to the sink and dipping my head to sip from the stream. When I turned to face Ignus again, he looked a little hurt at my refusal.
“I'm gonna go to bed.” I dropped my eyes from his, trying to hide my fury with him, wanting to escape.
Ignus slid his arm around my shoulders, guiding me from the room. “There's something I want to show you first.”
I grunted, shrugging him off.
“It will cheer you up, I promise.” Ignus's eyes shone at me.
I glanced away for a moment, knowing I should play along. It was hard to act cool when my head was spinning and I felt like I wanted to throw my fist into his face.
“Fine,” I said at last, letting him lead me downstairs through a door marked for authorised personnel only.
We entered a large control room. A hundred screens filled the wall, the feed on them blank now that the round was over. The room was quiet, but filled with desks where workers must have sat during the game to monitor the feed.
Ignus led me through the darkened space, picking up an iPad from someone's desk and flicking through hours of footage. Halting, he pressed play and I re-watched the moment Varick saved Selena, bringing her back to life in a cave. After that, the feed had cut out on the main screen and the moment she was seen again, she was walking through the gate into the helicopter.
I'd been curious as to where she'd ended up, but then again, a particularly bloody battle had taken place between a group of girls in the forest. The cameras had focused on them as they warred for the rating points - awarded by killing another contestant.
Ignus continued to let the feed play, until it became apparent that Varick and Selena were planning something together. They communicated through her tablet so we were unable to see their conversation. As I watched, my own tablet seemed to burn a hole in my pocket.
“This is why we had to cut her feed,” Ignus said, dropping the iPad onto the desk. “She's up to something.”
I nodded slowly, unable to fight the small spark of hope that rose in my chest. If Selena came up with a plan to help the others, then I wouldn't have to. She was still going to need my help, however, so I wasn't completely off the hook.
“I see,” I said, waiting for him to elaborate.
“We don't know what, obviously. But I thought it best to offer rating points in return for the girls killing another contestant. That way Selena won't easily make any allies.”
“Do you really think she's that much of a threat?”
Ignus considered it then shrugged. “Honestly? No. But my father is convinced she's a trouble maker. But I designed this island myself. There's nothing she can do but continuing playing the game until her inevitable death.”
“Inevitable?” I questioned, my brow lifting and my stomach clenching.
“Yes. She won't survive the game. Even if I have to walk out there and plant a bullet in her skull myself.”
I cringed internally. “Why would you do that?”
“She's not like the other girls. Even those who have played other games aren't idiotic enough to try and fight back. But the spectators are asking about her. They like her spirit, and more than one are hoping she'll win so they can have a chance at breaking her themselves.”
I outwardly grimaced. “But her rating has dropped very low. I don't think the men-”
“I overruled her rating. The men aren't in charge of this game, they just think they are.”
My eyes rounded in surprise. “So the ratings mean nothing?”
“Of course they do, we let the votes play out as they will, but I can change them any time I like.” Ignus ran a hand through his bright hair. “But she's a real issue now, Vic. That's why I need your help.”
“Mine?” I asked in surprise.
Ignus moved closer with a smile on his lips and I forced myself to slip a hand around his neck, drawing him even nearer. “I know you're still angry at me about the wolves.”
I sighed, dipping my head. Ignus's lavender scent rolled over me. I'd always liked the smell, and the fire inside me that had once burned for him briefly reignited. My heart rate lifted as his fingers pressed hard into the back of my neck and his mouth crushed against mine. When we parted, he was breathless. “But I was hoping you could instruct them to do something for me. You know, use your power over them, just this once.”
He was flushed from my proximity, but my heart was caged in iron. Ignus was forcing my wolves to do unspeakable things every day in the name of entertainment. I couldn't turn a blind eye to his cruelty any longer. And I certainly didn't want to be a part of it.
He kissed me again, scattering my thoughts. From the look on his face I knew I was having the same affect on him. We were two opposing forces, always had been, but the connection between us was palpable. The kind of passion that burned so bright, the only way it could end was in all-out destruction. We were nearing the end of that path now. Since Ignus had betrayed my trust, set his V on me and blackmailed me into giving up my work, things were done between us. At least, they were for me.
“What do you want me to tell them?” I asked, my voice a low growl.
Ignus's whole face lit up. “To hunt Selena down in the next round. Just the two of them, your Alpha has already been moved back to the V Experience.”
I nodded, but my gut wrenched violently. I needed to keep playing this part a little longer, but how could I order my wolves to do such a thing?
Ignus grinned, taking my hand and guiding me from the room. Instead of heading back the way we'd come, he led me into a laboratory where all manner of devices were hanging from racks on the walls. My heart lurched as I spotted Mekiah and Reason in a cage, curled up in wolf form beside one another, sleeping soundly.
Ignus wrapped a metal knife against the bars, forcing them awake. On a table beside me I spotted something that made my heart race a little harder. I glanced at Ignus, making sure he wasn't looking as I pocketed two of the small devices. My necked burned as he spun toward me, smiling, coming so close to catching me.
I couldn't believe my luck. If Selena soon wanted my help, I might have the chance to actually offer it.
Mekiah and Reason barked at us and I shifted closer, gazing at them and using the authoritative tone that would force them to act as I commanded.
“Tomorrow, hunt Selena Grey down.” I thanked the stars that Ignus didn't force any more words from me. Her only hope, was that I hadn't ordered them to kill her.