TEN
It was a month before the Race Games and the Supe News Network was announcing everyone who would be racing on behalf of their species. The necromancers, the fae, the elves, one after the other were announced. They’d left the wolf team for last, and while it wasn’t a huge deal, there’d been an immediate uproar the moment Jo and Nic were announced. Not because they were wolves, but because of what would happen should they win.
The amount of land and money at the disposal of wolves.
The moment Jo and Nic were announced as the Wolf team was the same moment Jo realized just how corrupt the race games were, despite suspecting as much. It seemed that it was always the fae, the vamps, or the elves that won the games. Still, Jo was prepared for the snide remarks and insults when they went into town and there were other species there. While they mostly stayed a secret, the many supe species used glamours and whatever they could to blend into the humans. For wolves, it was easy in their human forms. For elves, they had to hide their ears, fae their wings. Some species had a harder time blending in, but there were always other creatures around cities and towns.
Which was how Jo found herself scowling at the elf who dared to mutter, “feral trash,” under her breath as Jo and Nic walked past. Jo was just turning to give her a piece of her mind before Nic grabbed her arm.
“Ignore it. There’s no use fighting when we need to focus on the games,” he said softly.
“I’m going to rip those stupid butterflies out of her hair,” Jo warned. “Fucking elf. Who gave them the right, the audacity, to say such things?”
“Money,” Nic shrugged. “Sad truth but still a truth none the less.”
Jerking her arm from Nic’s hold, Jo instead crossed her arms and continued walking. If she had her way, she’d turn around and rip the stupid elf to shreds, but that would be silly. She could take insults from people who didn’t know her. It didn’t matter.
Until it did.
When her phone rang and Iliad’s face popped up on the front of it, she knew it was going to be bad. Still, she answered with a chipper, “Hey, demon daddy. What’s up?”
Nic’s eyes narrowed on her at her greeting, but she only raised her brow and turned away.
“Have you seen our social media?” he asked instead of answering. His tone was what brought Jo out of her teasing.
“No. The signal isn’t great enough for surfing the social streams out here. Is something happening?”
“You’ve been labeled as clear competition in the business realm.”
“We’ve always been labeled that—”
“No, Jo,” Iliad interrupted. “With the threat of you winning, it would shoot us up far faster than most businesses. We’d be up there in the big leagues if you win the prize in these Games, and they’re not taking too kindly to it.”
Nic moved over to her and frowned, but Jo was only focused on Iliad’s voice. “What do you mean?”
“You’re a competitor, and the other supe businesses are feeling threatened. The fae and elves have high stakes in a lot of businesses. Jav said his own company addressed the threat of a wolf business making it big and how to handle us. They want their businesses to thrive, not one run by a wolf. They’re going to be coming for you in the Games, sponsoring other teams to take you out. You’ll need to watch your back.”
Sighing, Jo ran a hand through her hair. “I already knew that, but thank you for letting me know.”
“That’s not all,” he continued. “Our social media has been overrun with comments from bots and other people, claiming we’re a trash company and that MateFinder doesn’t work.” Jo tensed, but before she could speak, he continued. “There are just as many people defending us saying they found their soulmates on our app, but I thought you should know that the other companies are systematically trying to take us down. It’s going to get worse.”
“I’ve never liked bullies,” Nic grunted, shaking his head. “The threats will probably start coming in soon.”
“Who’s that?” Iliad asked down the line. “Is that Nicolas?” His tone was teasing, curiosity in every syllable.
“Thanks for letting me know, Iliad. I’ll keep a look out,” Jo answered, directing the conversation away from her teammate.
“Okay. Alright. I get the hint.” He paused. “Look, stay safe, would you? I’d really like you to come back alive.”
“I’ll try my best,” Jo promised. “Talk soon.”
And then she hung up and slid her phone back in her pocket. Everything was going to turn into a shit show before long. She knew that, had expected it, but the sheer number of people coming for her was surprising. Sure, they had an app, but it wasn’t hurting anyone. It was simply helping others find their mate, but there was a reason the wolves never reached the riches of some of the other species. Now, she knew it was because they were actively keeping them down and she wasn’t going to deal with it. If it took everything in her, they were going to win the race.
For every wolf who had tried and been held down.
For every cub out there dreaming big.
For her own dreams.
“You two seem close,” Nic commented nonchalantly. He was looking away as if the question were an innocent one, but she rolled her eyes.
“Yes, I’m the honorary aunt for his children,” she answered, shaking her head. “Don’t act as if you have some sort of claim on me, Nic.”
He didn’t answer and Jo didn’t bring it up again. She pushed it out of her mind because there was so much more to worry about than the mate she’d rejected so long ago. Now, it was all about winning.
But she was reminded of just how brutal the other species could be when they arrived back at the cabin and garage to find a package waiting for them. Before they ever approached it, she could smell blood.
Nic, with a growl, stormed up to the package and studied it. “There’s no return address.”
“Of course, there isn’t,” Jo grunted. “They wouldn’t want me to know who’s threatening me.” She came closer. “It smells like blood.”
“I’ll go to the post office and have all mail routed to a P.O. box tomorrow. This is getting ridiculous.” Nic shook his head. “It should be fair,” he growled, before reaching down and popping open the lid. Inside, sat a perfectly nestled wolf’s paw, as if it had been chopped and presented just for her. Revulsion hit her and she took a step back from the clear threat.
“Nothing is fair in business,” she said. “Not when the big fish try to eat the little ones.” Angry at the poor creature that was killed to make a point, Jo rolled her shoulders. “But after this, I’m going to be a big fish, too, and I plan to eat them back.”
Nic closed the lid and grinned up at her. “That’s my girl.”
“I’m not your girl,” she growled and turned away to head inside.
Someone was making a threat, a point about wolves, but she was going to make her own point.
Wolves didn’t cower, and the angrier they made her, the more determined she became.
It was time for the wolves to take a stand.