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ZURI POV The last of the beast fights were quite boring. I didn't have anyone special to watch and it was clear the champions knew how to handle each kind of beast in the tournament. I am honestly glad it's over. Now we can focus on the important part, getting our mate."The Final day of the Harvest has arrived. All champions that fought a beast have moved on. All may challenge one another to prove they deserve the top spot. The last man standing goes first as the Winning champion. The order after his pick will be based on the fastest beast kill time. Then we move on to the champions from days three and four who lost. The longer they lasted in their battle against the top contenders, the higher their ranking. May the strongest win," the announcer says, and the crowd explodes with excitement. The sound is so loud Fiadh places her hands over her ears. The males run out of their holding area in a line while waving out at the crowd happily. When I see Cull my stomach fills with butte
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ZURI POV"The time has finally come. Commander Garlof as the winner of the Harvest, you can select your mate first. Will the fifty-five females from all over the Galaxy, please come forward," the announcer says, and I take a deep breath. I am so nervous. It's just like walking out in front of the crowd for the first time again. All eyes will be on us, but this time, in the end, we leave with the male we will spend our life with. I won't be returning to my room to talk with Fiadh or Baalee. I will be someone's mate. We all begin to walk and our ballgowns sway with each step. I try to keep my eyes on Krystal's brown hair, but the difference in the arena drags my attention away. The battle-worn field we have seen every day is different. Now there is an even black floor covering the massive open space. The only remaining grass is roped off in the middle and looks untouched. "Would you look at those dresses? Don't they look beautiful," the kea asks the crowd, and the crowd erupts into c
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CULL POV"The time has finally come. Commander Garlof as the winner of the Harvest, you can select your mate first. Will the fifty-five females from all over the Galaxy, please come forward," the announcer says, and I grow eager to see Zuri in a different dress. I might not have placed well in the final brawl, but I did achieve eleventh place. I defeated Orson fast enough to place within the top 15 and I am proud of that. I should have no problem claiming Zuri as mine. I have heard her name tossed around by a few males but they all placed after me. "Would you look at those dresses? Don't they look beautiful," the kea asks as I search the line of females for the group of blue dresses. When I spot Zuri my chest puffs out in pride. She looks radiant. Her final dress is gorgeous. The big skirt and lace sleeves shout feminine. When her eyes connect with mine I feel utterly complete. Although she isn't technically mine yet I can't turn off my happiness. I know Zuri will accept when I a
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ZURI POV Happiness is coursing through my body like a drug. Fiadh, Krystal, and I are the only ones left. Some groups haven't even had a female chosen yet. I can't believe we were all scared about not getting chosen. "Captain Maxim, please select your female," the announcer says and I watch as another orange giant from Bronkark steps out of line. He heads for the Hassin females and holds out his hand toward Ceenu. "Ceenu of Hassin, please accept my hand," the rather quiet male says and the metallic beauty beams at him. "I accept, Maxim," she says back, and another happy couple takes their turn waving at the crowd. The cheers for them aren't as loud as when Xiu or Jia left, but I think that is because none of the other males hold the title of Gold. "Captain Kaipo, it is your turn next," the Kea says, and the Cok, who danced with Xiu during the first dance, steps out of line. He smiles as he walks toward the four remaining Makskins. He stops in front of Zor's underlings and ho
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CULL POV Zuri's eyes tighten again and she bites her bottom lip. She seems so nervous as I show her our home and my heart is tearing. I want her to feel safe and comfortable with me, but so far that does not seem to be the case. She has looked uncertain since we walked out of the transport room. "This is the big room. I filled the closet with clothes for you. If you do not like them we can replace them. My cousin Goma helped select them all, so hopefully, you will like them," I say as I lead her into the room she will be sleeping in. "It's huge," Zuri says as she takes in the mass area of the room with wide eyes. "Yes. While our home only has three bedrooms it is still large. When a soldier retires, he is given a large sum of money, but when a Soldier is selected to be a Harvest Champion, they are given a fortune. We are also given money from the actual tournament... We are expected to live lavishly. So most champions have huge homes, staff, and any other accommodation we pleas
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ZURI POV I giggle as another small Shikaz child waves at us excitedly. Everyone we have walked passed has either bowed their head a little or smiled at us, but the kids seem unable to contain their happiness. Some have yelled out or pointed, while others have waved like we are a friend they haven't seen in ages. "Harvest champions are known by all. We will be public figures from now on. I purchased a secluded home so we wouldn't get exhausted from the attention," Cull says quietly and I look up at his handsome face. His eyebrows are slightly furrowed and his mouth isn't turned up into a grin like it normally is. He must think I don't like the attention his people are giving me. He is wrong. After the way the Froles and Makskins treated us at the tournament, their greetings make me happy. They are showing I am accepted."It doesn't bother me at all. I feel accepted by everyone," I say and he gives me a small smirk before leading me into another shop. "Champion Cull, Welcome to m
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CULL POVWe step off the transport and Zuri wraps her hand around my arm. The sense of peace that overtakes my body as soon as her body reconnects with mine makes me grin.I love the way it feels to have her holding onto me. It gives me such a sense of purpose.Before the Harvest, I had lost my sense of purpose. I wasn't a soldier anymore, and I wasn't a true champion yet. With her on my arm and my lips tingling from our first kiss I have a purpose. I am Zuri's mate. I am her provider. I am her protection."Wow, so this is what a village looks like here," Zuri says and I look down at her for a second before looking out at the fifteen homes spaced evenly apart.The sidewalks that link them all look nice and there are planted flowers everywhere. The area is kept by the retired males who live here, so it is beautiful. The homes aren't large, but they are nice. Kima's mate wasn't a soldier like my father and me, so he couldn't afford what I have given Zuri, but he made a good living for h
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ZURI POV Rated R I hum softly as we walk back into our quiet secluded home. Meeting with Cull's family was amazing. They welcomed me with open arms, and after I got over not knowing Cull's full name, the afternoon blossomed into a great evening. Kima and Goma made us food that tasted better than Peela's. I had two servings of the weird but delicious dinner. Cull and Goma bickered but quickly got over it. She then told me the yellow blouse I am wearing was picked out by her. All in all, it was a good visit. "You seem happy," Cull says in a gentle voice as he watches me. I nod before doing a sporadic twirl. "I am. Your family is wonderful. All the Shikaz people we met today were sweet. Our home is beautiful. I have nothing to ask for," I declare to the room and Cull moves closer to me. He catches my hands in his and quickly positions us in the way we were when we danced. "If you wanted to dance you should have told me," he whispers before beginning to lead me around the la
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