Page 5 of Rejected By a Wolf

Kindest regards,

King Valaris of Elaron

Antonio’s grip on the invitation tightened as he worked to settle his now reeling mind. This piece of paper managed to alter his life’s course in a way he never thought possible.

Everyone knew of The Elaron Games. Every two hundred years the most civilized species in the unnatural world - the elves - hosted one of the most barbaric traditions known to immortals.

Species of all kinds eagerly signed up for this deadly tournament, despite the odds being severely stacked against every participant. There was only ever one winner.

Only onesurvivor.

But that survivor was always rewarded greatly. They were always given immeasurable wealth, unprecedented hierarchical status, and a remarkable gift unique to each tournament.

This year that gift was The Heart of Aphrodite.

Antonio’s heart rate quickened, a feeling he had long ago forgotten stirring inside him.

Excitement.

For centuries, Antonio mocked those that participated in this tournament. He couldn’t understand why immortals chose to riskeverythingfor such a slim chance at securingsomething.

Now he understood why. Anything was possible in The Elaron Games. If he could acquire The Heart of Aphrodite, he could secure what he wanted most in life. He could bring back his lost mate. He could finally look forward to the future.

A second chance.

Slipping the invitation into his pocket, he decided the risks were well worth the rewards. For the first time in two hundred years, he had a reason to look to tomorrow.

Chapter Three

Sophia Brenning

Sophia twisted her body between the two elves she was sparring with, sliding past them as easily as ice on metal. She made sure to jab each elf with the sword she wielded as she effortlessly danced around them.

Though she was only a fey, elves had been training her the last forty years of her life. Now, her movements in combat were both slick and nimble. In fact, she believed that being a fey gave her the upper hand in battle. Fey were incredibly small creatures, Sophia only slightly taller than five feet. Her petite stature helped her to slip by the otherwise taller elves she so often trained with.

“And that’s game,” Conall said, rubbing the area on his waist Sophia had marked with her sword.

“And you lost,” his twin sister, Cauladra, commented with a smirk. “Again.”

Conall frowned, telling his sister, “I blame you.”

Cauladra rolled her eyes, hiking her bow behind her back. “Oh please, it’salwaysmy fault. I suppose the last three losses were my fault too?” She quirked a brow, smirking in his direction.

The two of them looked like typical high elves. With pin straight golden hair, tall and slender bodies, and hypnotizingblue eyes, they looked very much alike. In fact, they looked a lot like their younger brother, Casper. Only, Casper’s eyes were green, his golden locks curled - a unique trait for an elf.

Casper.Sophia tried not to think about her old friend, fearing she’d break down in front of his siblings. Casper had been so absent from her life the last few decades it hurt to remember the friendship they once had.

Yeah, some friendship,Sophia internally scoffed. Friends didn’t abandon their friends. It was as simple as that.

But Casper had.

Sophia anxiously pulled at ash hair secured in tightly woven braids and forced herself to think about something else.Anythingelse.

Cauladra grabbed the jug of water at her feet and tossed it in Sophia’s direction. “Youneed to take a break. You haven’t stopped this nonsense for days.”

Sophia caught the jug, chugging its contents in its entirety. She knew Cauladra was right. Sophia had been overworking herself. It was like a nervous tick. Every time Sophia thought about the fast approaching tournament anxiety consumed her. Hitting the training floor was the only thing that calmed her down.

“Days?” Conall looked between the two of them. “More like years! This girl is like the energizer bunny.”