Page 75 of Dark Gambit Reliance

"What's the point? It's not as if I'm going to lead my own tribe one day."

Jade cast her a sidelong glance. "You never know what the future will bring, and it's best to be prepared for the best possible outcome."

Weekends were nothing special in the compound, and everyone continued performing their duties, but there were no classes for the children, so Jade's time was free, and she usually spent it training with Kagra, but today it wasn't about that.

Today, Kagra would be set free.

"Good morning." The hybrid on duty gave her a once-over. "Going hunting so early?"

The rumor about her so-called hunting with Pavel had spread, probably thanks to Pavel himself, and the result was much more attention from all the purebloods that she could do without.

The hybrids knew that they had no chance with her, so they just gave her covetous looks, but this one was more daring than the others.

She looked down her nose at him. "I don't waste time on more sleep than is absolutely necessary to maintain my health."

The guard looked at the schedule. "I see that you went hunting yesterday."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Yesterday's hunt was about fresh blood, but not the kind that fills my belly."

"So I've heard." He gave her a suggestive look as he handed her two badges. "Good hunting."

Nodding, she handed Kagra one of the badges, affixed the other one to her jacket, and turned on her booted heel.

"It wouldn't kill you to say thank you from time to time," Kagra grumbled.

Today, it actually might, but Jade said nothing. The dismissive behavior was what everyone expected from her, and she'd already acted out of character by accepting Pavel's invitation.

Halfway to the gate they were intercepted by Valstar, and he didn't look happy.

"I heard that you met up with Pavel yesterday," he said as if she owed him an explanation. "While I waited for you."

"It wasn't while you waited for me." She sauntered over to him and put her hand on his chest. "It was in the afternoon. I prefer to sleep at night and perform strenuous activities while my energy levels are high. Besides, I figured I'd spare you Igor's wrath. Are you really brave enough to issue an invitation to his prime?"

Hopefully, Valstar would take the bait.

"Igor doesn't care who you fuck when you're not fertile. Come to my room this afternoon."

He was so predictable that it was pathetic.

She smiled to bare her fangs at him. "I have plans for today. But if you are free tomorrow, I might accept your invitation."

His eyes blazed red. "Two o'clock. Be there this time."

"Noon. I have a training session with Drova at four, and I don't want to rush." She trailed her hand down his stomach, halting just above his bulge.

"Noon works too." Valstar looked her over with lust clouding his eyes. "Wear something nice."

When he walked away, Kagra gaped at her. "What's going on, Jade? You detest Valstar almost as much as you abhor Igor."

"Actually, I detest him more." She waited for the guard to check her badge and open the gate for her. "Igor is a sociopath, which means that he doesn't feel anything, and he doesn't take pleasure in killing. Valstar enjoys it."

"So why did you accept his invitation?"

"I have my reasons." Jade walked out the gate.

She was going to kill him, and he'd just made it easier for her.

"Which you usually share with me. Yesterday you met Pavel, and you promised to tell me how it was, but all I got was one word. And today, you accepted an invitation from Valstar of all people. Was Pavel that bad?"