64

J.D. wasn’t even grudging in his admiration. “Dude, you are freaking strong. Holy shit, man, that was fantastic.” He pumped his fists like he’d just watched his favorite boxer win a match he’d bet his life savings on.

“This is bullshit,” Nathaniel groaned as he finally sat up. “That wasn’t a fair fight.”

“What part wasn’t fair?” Mika asked in disgust.

Nathaniel slowly got to his feet and gestured toward me. “He…well, he…” He shook his head, and his face went red. “You wouldn’t understand unless you were fighting him, but he fucking cheated.”

Von raised his eyebrows, and I could tell he was doing an epic job of keeping himself from rolling his eyes. “Yes, anyway, it’s time for Wyatt and Kira to get ready for their romantic evening.” He looked from me to Kira and smiled gleefully. “And hopefully, we’ll get lucky and see some more pining looks. It looks like Kira enjoys a man who can take what he wants, hmmm?”

Kira, face flushed, glanced away from me. So, Von had noticed the way she’d looked at me. I could see that it bothered her. I wasn’t sure if it was because she’d been caught or if it was the fact that it was me she’d been looking at that way.

Maybe I’d get a chance to ask her tonight.

Chapter 21

Kira

When I got back to my room, I was a mess. They’d kept us out there for hours doing interviews about the day’s events. All that would be spliced into the show when it aired later that day.

All I’d wanted was to go back to my room. So much had happened, and it was only the first day. Ryan was dead, Leif badly injured and almost dead, Wyatt and Nathaniel fighting over me like two stupid jocks. It was all more intense than I’d thought it would be, and much more than I’d bargained for.

“You look like shit,” Zoe said as I walked in.

“Thanks. You’re a delight to look at as well.”

“Sorry,” Zoe apologized.

I pushed a stray hair out of my face and flopped onto the makeup chair. Zoe started getting me ready for my “romantic date” with Wyatt.

“Looks like you haven’t decided whether to cry, shout for joy, or throw up,” Zoe said. “If it’s the last one, can I get a three-second warning so I can get out of the splash zone?”

I shook my head in disbelief. Everyone knew people died here. It happened multiple times each season. Still, part of me had felt like we were all in a dream or on a fake TV show.

“Zoe, Ryan’s dead. I can’t believe it.”

Zoe stopped working on my hair and sat beside me, putting a hand on my thigh in comfort. “I heard. He seemed nice. I’m sorry.”

“This is much more brutal than I thought it would be. You’re right, he was nice. I think that’s part of why his death is hitting me so hard. We had a really good talk last night. He walked me back to my room, and I think he was interested in me. Like, as a person, you know? Not some prize to be won, like how a lot of these guys look at me. He was a really, really good guy. He didn’t deserve this.”

Zoe looked at me questioningly. “Does that mean you were interested in him? In that way?”

It only took an instant for me to find the answer to that. I sighed and shook my head. “No. Not really. He was a good wolf. Honest, sweet, and kind, but no, he didn’t appeal to me like that.”

Zoe took my hand in hers and squeezed hard. I turned to look at her. She had a pleading look on her face.

“Kira, people die on this show. If you freeze up every time someone gets taken out, you’re only putting yourself in danger. You’ve got to move past it. Don’t even blink when they die. I’m sure the guys are great, but you’re my best friend. They could all die horrible deaths, but as long as you come home safe, I’ll be fine.”

It was easier for her. She didn’t have to spend time with the guys. She hadn’t made connections with them.

I shook my head. “You don’t get it. Ryan was a real person. He’s gone now. Forever. He deserved better.”

Zoe released my hand and slapped her palms on her thighs. I could tell she was frustrated about something.

“Are you mad at me?” I asked dumbly.

“No,” she huffed. “I have to tell you something. It’s either gonna piss you off, break your heart, or some combination of both.”

Now I was confused. What the hell was she talking about?

“Spill it,” I said.

Zoe took a breath, then said. “It gets sort of boring in here while you guys are out doing what you do, so I’ve been chatting with some of the staff. The witches, the other fae, the security guys, the production crew, the whole nine yards.” She shrugged and rolled her eyes. “I may or may not be trying to get laid, but that’s beside the point. When Ryan died, everyone was talking about it. Some of the production assistants spilled the tea on Ryan.”

“Like what?”

Zoe sucked in a lungful of air, then let it all out in one rush. “He lied about being a reject. He never got rejected. He already has a mate…had a mate back home. They made up the reject lie to get on the show. If he won, he was going to turn down the fated-mate blessing and take the prize money. The showrunners found out but let him stay because they thought it would cause a shit-ton of good drama if he got to the end and turned his back on you.”

I felt like she’d slapped me across the face. I blinked a few times before I could speak. “What the hell are you saying?”

Zoe’s face dropped, and she looked miserable. “I’m saying that guy you thought was super sweet and nice and really into you was a dick who wanted to string you along and then leave you high and dry. That’s what I’m saying.”