There was a little commotion as the pack members who had chased them through the Silver Glade, went into the crowd of newbies and began dragging the defeated students away.
"Are they doing what I think they’re doing?" Ivy asked Daisy in a whisper.
"The wolves are identifying and pulling their captured prey, the ones who lost in the game, to their permanent houses," Lila was the one who replied, calmly explaining it all to the others.
She said to her roommate with a serious expression. "That would have been your fate if I hadn’t stepped in. We would have been separated just like that."
The truth of her words hit like a cold slap, and all three of them swallowed hard, the weight of what could have been settling over them.
"And we’re grateful for your help," Violet said sincerely, locking eyes with Lila.
A slow smile spread across Lila’s face, and just like that, the girl they knew was back. "Of course. I’m amazing, and I know it." She flipped her hair dramatically, making Daisy snort.
Violet let out a soft chuckle, and before she knew it, her arms were wrapping around Lila in a tight hug. Lila melted into the embrace, holding on just as tightly.
But their moment was shattered by a sharp shriek.
Their heads snapped toward the sound, their laughter fading. A girl was being wrenched away from her roommates, her cries filled with devastation as her friends clung to her, powerless to stop it.
Violet, Lila, Daisy, and Ivy stood frozen, stricken by the sight knowing that could have been them. For the first time that night, the girls exchanged a shared, silent look of gratitude toward Lila, who felt a swell of pride in her chest.
By the time the pack members had finished their work, there were only eleven of them left, standing together in a haphazard cluster.
"Fuck, this is terrible!" Violet heard someone mutter from the crowd, their voice bitter. "There shouldn’t be this many winners. This year’s game is a failure."
"I hear it’s because of her, the purple storm, " another person chimed in, his own voice tinged with resentment. "Alpha Asher gave orders to prioritize chasing her, which meant the others had more time to escape."
"Well, we’d see what house she’d choose soon enough," the first voice concluded, a bitter jealousy lingering in the words.
Violet frowned. Why were they blaming her for the failure of their twisted game? She was not the one who had asked Asher to follow her.
Griffin stepped forward, and announced,
"Congratulations, winners of this year’s Running Game. You now have the esteemed privilege of choosing your permanent house. The Fiery and Unwavering East House; the Mysterious and Merciless West House; the Wild and Unbridled South House; and finally, the Brilliant and Resourceful North House."
He squared his shoulders as he introduced his own house. "The East House thrives on passion and resilience. My pack is made up of fearless, loyal warriors. Driven by an insatiable appetite for adventure and challenge, we thrive in the face of danger. In one word, the East House is for those who are unafraid to take bold risks."
His words sent a ripple of awe through the crowd, and more than a few students looked convinced. That was until Asher stepped in.
He exuded his usual icy confidence as he said, "The West House is not merely a collection of students. We are masters of subtlety, planners who always move several steps ahead of our enemies. We excel in strategy and intellect, using our wits to defeat opponents before they even know they’ve lost."
Violet couldn’t shake the feeling that his words were aimed directly at her even though he was speaking to the crowd.
"After all," His voice dropped into a silken cadence. "who wouldn’t want to be on the winning team?"
His pack howled in agreement, supporting him.
"Damn," Daisy muttered under her breath, "Dude’s a bastard, but he’s good at this."
Violet glanced at Daisy, noting her impressed look. She knew the appeal of Asher’s words. Daisy was smart, and Asher’s pack would give her the opportunity to thrive. But at what cost?
Then, as if sensing the need for a shift in mood, Roman sauntered forward, breaking the tension with his own brand of charm.
"Whoah, hold up, calm down, everyone," he said, flashing his signature grin. "We’re here to have fun, right? Why stress over all this when you can live freely and still soar to your greatest potential?" His tone was light, almost teasing, as he spread his arms wide.
"Welcome to the South House, the ultimate chill zone, where success comes with a side of pleasure. I mean, what’s life without a little indulgence?" He winked, and Violet had to roll her eyes at his insufferable confidence.
"And with me as your Alpha... well, let’s just say, paradise has never looked so damn good."
The girls in the crowd looked enamored, and some even giggled at his antics, but Violet wasn’t fooled.
"Manwhore," Lila coughed into her palm.
Violet shot her a warning look, knowing full well that Roman was as deadly as he was charming. She couldn’t provoke him.
Finally, all eyes turned to Alaric, and for a moment, the crowd grew quiet, as if waiting for him to find his footing.
Unlike the others, the lightning prince looked completely unprepared, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. His face flushed red, and for a moment, it seemed like he might just bolt.
Because he had no choice but to fulfill his role as a cardinal alpha, most people didn’t realize that Alaric Storm was actually an introvert. This was why he often appeared cold and distant, preferring the solitude of his lab over the company of others.
"I... uh, I guess I don’t have much to say," Alaric started, his voice awkward but earnest. "We have money, and, uh..." He seemed to stall before adding, "And dreams come true in the North House?"
The crowd was silent for a beat, it was the worst pitch anyone had ever heard and yet, a girl’s voice broke through.
"O. M. G! He’s so cute and he has money. I’m sold."
Violet felt a flash of jealousy, her gut tightening as she saw the girl step forward to declare her allegiance to the North House.
It took every ounce of self-control not to yank the girl back by her collar and throw her across the field.
One by one, students began making their pledges.
"North!"
"South!"
"West!"
"East!"
When it was over, South House had three pledges, North had two, and East and West had one each. But it wasn’t over.
Not yet.
Because Violet and her roommates hadn’t chosen.