~HAZEL~

I can hear the lively cheers echoing through the bustling crowd surrounding us, their voices blending into a vibrant chorus. They're chanting our names loudly, urging us with enthusiastic applause to step onto the stage, so everyone can catch a glimpse of the newly selected couple. I hear the relief in the applause, as everyone seems glad that we were the ones chosen and not them.

We had been anxious, fearing that one of our family members might be chosen for the hunt today. However, we never in our wildest dreams imagined that not just one, but two of us would be selected instead, catching us completely off guard.

Ariel glances at my step-brother, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and the look of sadness on her face makes my heart sink. Now, she has to watch us together on the big screen, her silent pain cutting deeper than any words could.

For five long months, Ashton and I will find ourselves thrown into the remote, unforgiving wilderness of the most dangerous woods on earth, completely cut off from normal life, as well as from all the familiar faces and comforts of home. We would have no choice but to depend entirely on each other, seeking solace in shared silence and mutual support amidst the overwhelming isolation and uncertainty.

This was precisely why the soul keepers had chosen us as their subjects—because neither one of us ever harbored any genuine intentions of mating with the other. They perceived us as an unpredictable couple whose chemistry and fiery personalities would keep them enthralled, eagerly tuning in day after day to observe our interactions.

I felt a wave of nausea rise in my stomach, a bitter mixture of disgust and helplessness, knowing that they were playing with our lives and emotions as if it were nothing more than a sinister game, a reckless manipulation for their own entertainment and benefit.

"No," my stepmother gasps, her voice trembling as she quickly glances over at us, fear clouding the depths of her eyes and making them shimmer with tears. "Not my kids! Please, not them!" Her hands clutch her chest as if trying to hold herself together, her breath trembling with panic.

Meanwhile, the soul keepers, invisible to her, sense her overwhelming emotions—disbelief mingled with regret—and find a twisted pleasure in her breakdown. They thrive on such intense feelings, echoing her despair with silent glee.

My father gazes at me with deep concern etched across his face, his eyes flickering with worry that I might be taken away from him for an indefinite period. I can see the distress in his expression, and I know that after today, he has no way to contact me directly—his only connection being through a large, cold screen that the soul keepers use for entertainment.

"Well, isn't this incredibly interesting," Grim chuckles darkly, a sinister glint in his eyes. "Step-siblings, and yet one of them has already found his mate.”

His dark eyes turn towards Ariel, “I truly pity you for what you'll have to endure in the coming months, dear. If I were in your shoes, I'd turn off my screen now and focus on finding a new mate—before things get even more complicated."

Ariel's eyes flicker with anger as she glares at him, clearly unhappy with his words. The rest of us share her discomfort, exchanging uneasy glances. Ashton clenches his fists, the muscles tensing as he looks like he's about to lunge at Grim, his desire to grab him by the throat evident in his intense stare.

I firmly grasp Ashton's wrist to prevent him from charging after Grim, knowing full well that if he did, he would be instantly eliminated in front of the watching crowd. Ashton’s eyes blaze with defiance as I hold him back.

The soul keeper's gaze sharpens, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and menace.

"Good," he says, a smug smile creeping across his face, his voice dripping with condescension. "That's exactly the reaction we want to see during the games, though perhaps with a bit less clothing and a touch more intimacy, just to make things interesting."

My bottom lip quivers with a surge of rage at his disgusting words. I feel a fiery urge to lunge at him also, to confront him physically and verbally, but I know the severe consequences—potentially facing dangerous repercussions wouldn't be worth it. For now, I have to swallow my pride, clenching my fists to restrain my anger, and set aside my feelings of frustration. One day, these soul keepers—those who manipulate and control others for their own gain—will get what's coming to them. Until that day arrives, I must act as if everything is perfectly fine, hiding my true emotions behind a calm facade, while my mind races with plans for revenge.

I glance at my father and stepmother, their faces etched with worry, tears welling up in my eyes. I can't shake the thought that this might be the last time I see them. Saying goodbye is unbearably tough, especially with dozens of curious eyes from the forest watching us silently.

The last image I hold is the deep, sharp fear reflected in their eyes, before a swirling, dark vortex materializes out of nowhere, its edges rippling like black smoke. It engulfs us suddenly, pulling us into the woods of abyss. Everything happens in an instant, like a nightmare I can't wake up from—one I desperately wish was just a bad dream, but the chilling reality clings to me, undeniable.

When the spinning finally stops and I find myself in the woods, I quickly take a look around me.

"Ashton?" I whisper softly, my eyes sweeping the forest as I spin around cautiously, alert for any movement. My heart pounds slightly in my chest as I scan the shadows, realizing with a jolt that there's no sign of him anywhere. The unsettling silence feels off; it's unlike any of the previous games, where couples would always start the mate hunt standing right next to each other.

"Ashton!" I call out again, my voice echoing slightly in the empty space, louder this time, tinged with a mix of fear and urgency.

Is this some new twist or challenge? Are we supposed to find each other in this unfamiliar layout, or has something gone wrong?

I could feel the tense tightness in my chest and the rapid pounding of my heartbeat, building inside me. A chilling, guttural howl from a beast echoed ominously nearby, sending a shiver down my spine and making my skin crawl. The frightening ordeal was already beginning to unfold, and I had no idea where to seek shelter or safety. To make matters worse, I lacked any fighting skills or self-defense training; Ashton was the only one among us who actually knew how to handle himself confidently in a fight.

I couldn't just stand in the middle of the woods frozen, waiting helplessly for the beast to discover my location, I had to act. Panic surged through me as I quickly took off running in the opposite direction, my heart pounding in my chest. I briefly considered calling out to my step-brother again, hoping he would hear me, but I knew it would only attract more dangerous attention.

Before I could even catch my breath, a rough hand suddenly grabbed me by the waist, yanking me into the thick, thorny bushes nearby. My instinct was to scream, but a calming whisper from Ashton interrupted my panic. I hear him say softly, "Shh. It's just me." His voice was barely audible over my racing thoughts, but it brought a flicker of relief amid the chaos.

He'd found me.