Cass’s POV

The air grew heavy as five opponents emerged from the opposite barracks. Five? We were outnumbered, and the arena was suddenly suffocating.

Before the announcer could finish his introduction, Maribel lunged. She moved like a blur, latching onto a woman’s throat with fangs bared. The arena went deathly quiet.

"A... vampire?" the announcer stammered, his voice leaking over the comms. "Ladies and gentlemen, our Maiden is a vampire!"

A vampire.

I had heard of them—rare, ancient, and terrifying—but I’d never seen one. The other female opponent swung at Maribel, but the 'Maiden' danced around her, wielding her massive greatsword as if it were a wooden toy.

I turned my focus to the VIP dais. Ezra stood there, cold and predatory. Does he know? I gripped my daggers, my wolf clawing at my consciousness. I imagined vaulting the wall of spikes and driving my blade into his heart. The thought was the only thing keeping me upright.

An opponent rushed me—a rogue, sword in hand. I met his assault with a lethal rhythm, relying on the training Victor had drilled into me. When he feigned a retreat, I saw the trap. I twirled, burying my dagger in his spine.

He slumped to the dirt, life bleeding out into the sand.

Another unnecessary death.

I whispered an apology I knew he couldn't hear.

Nearby, Kanda had shifted into a massive, dark-furred feline, her agility far surpassing any wolf. She tore through her opponent with savage efficiency. It was a slaughter, and the crowd’s mindless cheering only made the bile rise in my throat.

Back in the barracks, the adrenaline crashed.

"You're a vampire?" I asked Maribel as we cleaned the gore from our skin.

"Hybrid," she corrected, wiping her lip. "Half-human, half-vampire. I can survive on food, though I’m weaker for it. The sun burns, but it doesn't kill."

I didn't have time to process this. We were hauled to the dining hall. This time, we weren't just trophies; we were guests. I sat, ankles shackled to the heavy table, as Ezra and his witch sat merely feet away.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Ezra’s eyes swept over me—my mask, my tattered clothes—but he didn't blink. He didn't see Cass; he saw an asset.

"Is the mask bolted?" Ezra asked Zao, his voice smooth and cold.

"Yes," Zao replied, chuckling. "A beautiful maiden whose looks can kill."

I could barely swallow. I was inches from the man who had destroyed my life, and he was discussing 'business' with Zao—a steady supply of slaves to feed his war. They discussed the River Packs, confirming my worst fears. Victor’s territory was falling, and the war for my 'freedom' was escalating into a global conflict.

The next morning, I woke in a cold sweat, sprinting to the latrine to retch.

When I returned, Kanda was watching me, her expression unreadable.

"Congrats," she murmured.

"What?"

"If Zao finds out you're pregnant, he’ll have you removed. Pregnant women here don't last long."

"Pregnant?" I froze. "No. I’m just... I’m just sick from the food."

Kanda only smiled. "Whatever you say."

I stood there, the room spinning.

No way.

I looked down at my shaking hands, the reality crashing down on me. I was a slave in a pit, surrounded by enemies, and I was carrying a life that would only be seen as a liability—or a trophy—by the monsters currently deciding my fate.