As much as I didn't want to listen to Thomas, he was right. Once I was around the action, I hid low and quiet. I could hear shots going off left and right. You'd think they'd run out of rounds but it just continued.

The shots distanced farther away from me and I decided to shift spots. A horn sounded and I knew one person had 'died'. Was it Thomas or Davis?

I turned around and in front of me stood Davis. He wasn't leaning against anything like his typical image. His face was flat and looking beyond me.

"What?" I whispered but while yelling at him.

"You smell it?" He jumped forward next to me. His eyes held onto something in the distance I was unable to see. "Wolves. They're close."

"I'm sure they're not coming anywhere near here... maybe just watching us." I whispered back to him.

This was my opening. Although I could smell it, it smelled more like Shaw. I could only guess he was watching us since he mentioned royals being a big deal in wolf world.

Quickly, I raised the gun to shoot Davis. His hand gripped the barrel fast but not before I let out a couple shots in his side.

"You bitch!" He laughed, falling into the ground, holding his side in pain.

"I win."

"Babe, you have to disarm him remember?" Thomas voice was in my ear without me even approaching. I quickly kicked his gun out of his hands and threw it to the side. A horn sounded. Davis was out.

I smiled, turned around, and hugged Thomas. His arms wrapped around my waist and it felt like home again. It felt like I could maybe possibly trust him again.

"Ugh, I'll take dying by her over Valencia. He's out for it today." Davis groaned out holding his side.

"Yeah I watched him already get Wesley right in the face! They went at it for awhile but Valencia won as usual." Thomas added.

My jaw dropped. These guys weren't kidding. It really was serious.

"He hit him in the face? Are you kidding me?" I shouted.

Instantly, Thomas was covering my mouth with his hand. I had just screwed up and gave away my position as well as Thomas'. By now in the game, Valencia, Harding, Thomas, and I remained alive.

A horn sounded and caused me to jump.

"Go." Davis said as he limped up to standing. "He's coming."

Thomas and I separated. I ran left and he the other way. I tuned in on my hearing. Some sticks ruffled around me with the gentle wind blowing. Davis was right. I could smell a couple wolves.

Looking around I couldn't see anyone though. It was frustrating, knowing they had their version of abilities while I struggled. Even royals were better than me and I was limited.

"Hello," his voice rang through me like nails on a chalkboard. My eyes shut tightly and I didn't move a muscle. He didn't wait long before I heard another shift. Listen to Michael. Let them tire out before you attack.

"Valencia..." I whispered, taking big steps to turn around and face him. His face was hard and scary. His hair was slicked back in hardened gel. His eyes sunken under his facial bones and eyebrows forcing a naturally intimidating look. The narrow chin was outlined by a trimmed and clean beard and mustache.

"What, not with Thomas hiding out?" He growled.

"Well, let's be honest with each other here like grown adults... I don't know you. You don't know me. Yet, here we are, with me already not your biggest fan."

"Let's be honest then, you think I really give a fuck. You're a mere piece in a puzzle. You're not a queen or anyone special. You shouldn't be here playing with us so now, you're going to regret it."

He shifted his gun up towards me. I jumped behind the tree right as he fired, missing my head narrowly. My heart was beating out of my chest. I take it back. Neither of us like each other. Maybe I thought that way because of the arrogant entitled guy he was.

I heard the gun reload and I turned and fired on the other side of the tree. His arm took the hit without him noticing. Valencia stepped back taking in the pain from the wound. I hid behind the tree once again. He hissed out in pain before continuing.

"You'll pay for that!"

"I bet I will." It was fun to mock a royal. Knowing fully this was going to piss him off more without any chance of reprisal later made me enjoy this so much more. In the blink of an eye, he stood in front of me. He shoved his gun against my neck, pushing me against the tree unable to move.

I gripped at it, trying to free myself but was tight against it. My knee flung up, hitting him between the legs. Once again, I was free as he hissed in pain more, dropping onto his knees. I couldn't help myself but start to laugh.

"C'mon now, even Thomas fights better than this."

His leg swung out, tripping me to fall on my back. My head managed to find a rock, slamming against it. The world turned dark. It was like being pushed into a dark room with the door being slammed behind you. I could hear my heavy breathing. My heart beat was fast. The feeling of moving my body around, was I actually moving? I couldn't see to know.

I could feel myself blinking rapidly, waiting for my sight to come back. Blink by blink, bits and pieces started to return. Though the scene in front of me I didn't want to see.

Valencia stood over top of me, waiting for me to regain consciousness or sight back. He had a smug look on his face like he had just won.

Things changed in an instant. All those times I doubted my own senses, I'd regret at this point. Two wolves jumped out behind the trees, one running for Valencia and the other baring its teeth slowly walking towards me.

Slowly I sat up, beginning to crawl backwards. I'd wanted to run but I knew by Shaw's words that wouldn't benefit anyone.

"If you're going to kill me, just get it over with." I growled at the wolf just feet from me. "But so you know, no one benefits from killing me. I'm not royal nor am I engaged to one."

The wolf hesitated. I'd wondered if Valencia had finally gotten what he deserved. I'm sure he'd killed a number of innocent people in his time, no matter what they were. Now it'd be his turn to answer to his actions.

When the wolf sat though, I stood and ran. Knowing fully well it'd chase me, I'd hoped to get to some sort of safety. The wolf caught up to me before I could get far away though. It's teeth dug deep into my side, throwing me to the ground.

A scream rang out knowing this for sure wasn't Shaw. The wolf stood over me.

"It's OK... I understand. Shaw told me it's a natural instinct. Just get it over with," I whispered. It's ears slid back in more confusion. Name tossing worked well.

A howl sounded out, one of pains. The wolf on top of me looked up and around. I could see the fear entering it's eyes. They miscalculated. They didn't know everyone here were royals.

"Go... everyone out here except me is a royal. They'll kill you and drag it out. Go!" I growled.

It jumped up, turning and running back towards what I knew was the lake. Meanwhile, I laid there, staring down at my side. If this is what venom felt like, I'd die of boredom waiting for pain. The only pain I felt was the extremely slow healing my side was currently doing.

"Charlie!" Davis voice echoed through the forest. "Charlie where are you, dammit!" He continued to search for me.

"Smirky, I'm over here!" I groaned out, laughing at my new nickname for him.

Davis appeared at my side, pressing down at my ribs. I cried out as pain furthered with his pressure on my wound.

"You asshole! You're enjoying this."

He laughed briefly.

"Maybe a bit, but Charlie, how much does it hurt--"

"There isn't venom. Don't worry... I'm just healing slowly."

"I'm taking you back to the palace. They're still out here. The one isn't dead. Valencia almost died but Thomas saved him. That wolf got really injured but got away." He lifted me up and I ground my teeth together.

My mind was torn. Between Thomas fighting a wolf and Shaw knowing who I was and not helping, I wasn't sure what to focus on. Thomas could be hurt. Shaw could've planned the attack. Would he plan it? Would he try to kill me?

With all the thoughts roaming around in my head, they all went back to one thing. Was Thomas ok?