Jo went last. By the way they all had their hands folded over their chests, Julie would say that the braless situation was an issue across the board. They had also been refused shoes. Dragons didn’t wear them.

“It’s nearly time,” the redhead announced.

“Time for what?” Julie asked.

“Time for the hunt.” The redhead smiled. It was cold and calculated. She really was a bully.

“Don’t toy with them, Scarlet,” Ash said.

“They wanted to know why they are here, who we are and what their fate is, well, I’m going to to tell them.”

“Blaze said that we are to reassure the females.” The dark haired woman’s brows were raised.

“We were also to enlighten them.” Scarlet looked smug before turning back to the group. “We are dragon shifters.”

“I knew it.” Candy muttered under her breath.

Pauline whimpered. She hugged herself tighter. She was the smallest of the women. A tiny little thing with fine blond hair and huge blue eyes.

“The reason you are here is to take part in the hunt.”

“Hunt.” Lisa rolled her eyes and shook her head. “That’s barbaric. I would never hurt anything. I refuse to hunt. I won’t and you can’t make me.”

“I feel sorry for the male that gets you.” Scarlet shook her head.

A feeling of dread unfurled in Julie’s stomach.

“You are not going to hunt anything, stupid female,” Scarlet spat. “All of the males from all four kingdoms are assembling as we speak. You will be given a head start and can choose to remain in a group or to go it on your own. They will hunt you, on foot…”

“What?” Jo asked, her face was pale. “That can’t be right.”

“From the frying pan into the fire.” Candy swallowed hard.

“You are here for our males.” Scarlet smiled. “Such small frail beings.” She cocked her head, looking at each of them like they were bacteria under a microscope or bugs in a nest. “I think it’s lunacy. You’ll be torn to pieces.”

This elicited another whimper from Pauline. Jo moaned. Candy grit her teeth but Julie could see her lip tremble despite her trying to be brave. She couldn’t blame them.

“Stop it!” Julie tried to keep her voice even. “You’re scaring them.”

“Good,” Scarlet snarled. “They should be scared. Our males will hunt you and fight for you. The successors will get to keep you. To rut with you.”

There were cries of outrage and disbelief.

“No, but why would…?” Jo stammered. “This can’t be happening.” Tears coursed down her cheeks.

Scarlet smiled. “You are to be mated and impregnated.”

“No!” Candy shouted. “I refuse to—”