CHAPTER 43

The field bubbled with energy as the crowd swarmed around the fighting circle in the middle of the forest clearing. It was an annual hunt that had taken quite a different turn from what it was usually meant for. Whereas the original plan was to retrieve the flag in the center of the forest, this year the organizers put forward a new rule: *Game Of Chance* a game that might give a team a huge advantage or a serious drawback depending upon its outcome.

Maxine and Alph stood shoulder to shoulder at the edge of the circle, their hands at their sides as they sized up the competition. Droko and Drake, twin sons of a royally blooded pack, stood opposite them. Their towering physique spoke volumes of their surety, and their names spoke volumes on their own. Maxine had heard stories of their prowess in combat, but she wasn't intimidated. Still, she knew this wasn't going to be easy.

Galic's voice boomed once again above the noise of the gathering crowd. "Alright, people, we got a twist in this