"Fine, go to him, just don't come crying back to me when he'll leave you after fucking you into oblivion."

My eyes widened as I looked at him. Then the music stopped and I quickly and harshly got out of his grip and took my place by the table next to Taylor. My great mood was ruined and I quickly swallowed the rest of my wine down my throat. Everyone settled down and Kayden locked his eyes with mines, guilt, regret and anger all over his face. "Your boyfriend?" Taylor asked me out of nowhere. "I'm sorry?" I looked at him, giving him my attention. "Kayden Anderson, I believe his name is." I smiled nervously. "No! No, absolutely not, he's just an... childhood friend." A playful smirk came across his attractive face. "Well he definitely seems interested in you, cupcake. He can't keep his eyes off of you all evening, and to be honest, I can't too." I blushed at the comment and looked down. "I can't wait to get to know you more, Miss Martin." He said in a quiet, playful voice. I looked back at him. "Who said you will?" I asked in just the same tone. He chuckled and his and Kayden's eyes locked. Kayden's eyes said I'd-kill-you-but-it's-inappropriate and Taylor's said catch-me-if-you-can. It makes me wonder, Taylor said he doesn't know Kayden, why do I feel like that might not be the case? Suddenly I snapped out of my thoughts as the servants brought dessert. It looked very delicious but somehow I've lost all my appetite. Taylor turned to me and we talked for some more.

"I can't wait for the hunting game soon." Taylor said as he sipped his wine and I gave him a confused look. "A  hunting game?" He looked at me in disbelief. "Of course, it's a tradition." He said very seriously. I looked worried at Kayden and he locked his eyes with mines. He saw my concern and it looked like he just remembered something. Something bad. He quickly turned to his mother and whispered something into her ear. She nodded her head and said something, it only made him more worried.

||Kayden's POV||

I completely forgot about it. How could I have forgotten about such a thing? "Mother, you surely don't plan to have the hunting game tonight, do you?" I asked hoping very badly she'll say no. She nodded her head instead. "Of course son, it's a tradition. We always do it in gatherings like those." I looked at Julia who was looking very nervous, god what have I done, why did I bring her here? No, no...

||Julia's POV||

I looked at Catherine who stood up and tapped her spoon against her glass. "Ladies and gentlemen, as you all surely know, midnight is coming, and as our tradition says, it's time to begin The Hunting Game." everyone cheered and I was the only one who didn't know what was happening. Everyone stood up and so I did too. Kayden rushed towards me. But before he reached me, Taylor stepped in front of me. "Would you like to walk with me, cupcake? I'll keep you warm, I promise." He said seductively and I nodded. "Of course, Mr Matthews, but I'd be very grateful if you'll excuse me for a moment." I said and walked over to Kayden. "What the hell is going on? What is The Hunting Game?" I quietly shouted at him. "I completely forgot about it, I'm so sorry, you shouldn't be here. They'll draw two names, a male and a female, and then they drop them in the middle of a forest with 19 hungry vampires, the one who kills the most, wins." He discreetly looked around. "But we can get out of here, we just have to do it quickly, so no one will notice." I hit him in the chest. "Are you kidding me?! I already agreed to walk with Taylor. How could you forgot about something like that and more importantly, what kind of sick tradition is that?!" Before he could answer Taylor appeared in front of us. "Shall we go, my lady?" I took a deep breath and faked a small smile. "Of course." I said and took his hand which he offered. I looked back at Kayden who was still standing there, thinking.

"So, where are we going?" I asked as Taylor led me after all the other people, eager to play the game. What bothered me, was that we were still going upstairs. "To the portal, of course. It'll take us to a big forest, there aren't big enough ones anywhere in San Fransisco." Right. A portal. What the fuck? "A portal?" I asked and I think he got a little tired of my questions. "Yes, Miss Martin. A portal, made by a witch in the 60s, right when the tradition started." Right. Note to self: pay more attention to history. We all gathered inside an empty room, with nothing but one, door sized, open window and a small table with big two bowls on it. "It's time to chose our lucky ones. Peter will pick the male player." Catherine said they all chattered in excitement. Peter came near the bowls and stuck his hand in one of them, circling it and chuckling. The tension was big, every male in the room wanted it to be them. What was so fun about it anyway? "Remember dears, the winner's name will be written in the saint book of Fame and History." Oh so that's why. Peter took out a piece of paper and held it up so everyone could see. They all chattered in excitement again. Suddenly, everyone quieted down, as Peter read out the name.

||Kayden's POV||

I watched as my father took out that piece of paper. Please let it be me, please, please, this way I can protect Julia if she'll be picked.

"The main male player is the one and only... Taylor Matthews!" No... not that selfish bastard. I watched as the whole room exploded into excitement and they all went to congratulate him. "Now, ladies and gentlemen, the female player of today's game!" I looked over at Julia, and she looked at me before looking at my mother. She took out a piece of paper. Oh god...

"The one and only... Julia Martin!"