FIVE
If looks could kill, I would be long dead by now. I stood still and speechless as I stared at my sister who was glaring at me with fire in her eyes. Connor beside me, watched the both of us confusedly.
"Do you know each other or something Freya?" He asked me. I opened my mouth to form a response but Kelly beat me to it.
"Oh, I would have you know that Freya is my house maid. She must have sneaked out of the house the moment I left to join the auditions." Kelly said, she stepped closer to Connor who was frowning at me. I took a shallow breath, feeling the tears well up in my eyes. "You should send her home Mister. I will make sure my mother deals with her for deceiving everyone."
"I seem to remember that the audition is open to every female in the land that is not married or promised to another man. So Miss Freya is just as free as you to partake in this program. If you will excuse me now, I have to be with the king." Conner said, brushing my shoulder lightly with a kind smile before he walked off, leaving me with Kelly who was now regarding me with a sneer.
"Well, well, well, who would have thought the ugly duckling would try to sabotage me," she said mockingly. "What do you think you are doing here at the palace Freya??"
I straightened my spine and lifted my chin. "I'm here for the same reason as you, Kelly. To compete for the role of Luna and become the Alpha's breeder."
Kelly let out a cruel laugh. "You? His Luna? Don't be ridiculous. We both know I'm the one with the looks, charm and pedigree for the role. You are insane if you think the king will take a look at you not to talk of picking you"
I bit my tongue hard to stop a sharp retort. Arguing with Kelly would get me nowhere. I was here for one reason only: to escape my family and have that freedom that I've always dreamed of. I would not let her distract me from my goal. Not when I was so close.
"We shall see," I said simply, then turned and walked away before she could reply.
My stomach roiled with anxiety. Of all the girls here, why did Kelly have to be one of them? I'd hoped to escape her torment when I left home. But I wouldn't let her ruin this chance for me. I would endure. For the opportunity to have my freedom, I would weather anything.
Even Kelly.
After about an hour of me sulking at the back of the room, we were all ushered into a grand hall. The room was filled with the scent of jasmine and lavender, and the walls were adorned with beautiful tapestries and paintings. I wished I could stay and admire all these paintings But I moved forward as a guard reached me.
As we lined up, I couldn't help but feel like a small fish in a big pond. There were so many beautiful and talented girls around me, and I didn't think I stood a chance. But I had to try. I had to show everyone, especially Kelly, that I was capable of great things. I stood in line with ninety-nine other young women, waiting to be presented to the Alpha. We each wore a huge white collar that had our name inscribed in gold lettering.
A man came forward and ordered us to get ready. He stated that only five ladies would be chosen from among us. My palms grew damp at the thought. So few, out of so many. What were the chances I would be one of them? Zero I hoped. I knew I was no match to these beautiful girls and I was even the last on the line. No way he would see me.
A fanfare sounded, interrupting my worries. It was time.
Doors opened, and we were led further into the hall. Sitting on a carved wooden throne at the far end was him - the Alpha King, Rafe Jackson. The one who would decide my fate today. And standing beside him, was none other than Connor, my new friend. Just as my eyes fell on him, his also found mine and he smiled all the way at me. I smiled back at him.
Rafe Jackson rose from his throne and descended the steps towards us. Murmurs rippled through the gathered girls as we took in his appearance. He was tall, way too tall, with broad shoulders and muscular arms that spoke of physical power. His jet black hair was cropped short in the middle, accentuating his sharp, masculine features and grey eyes. He moved with grace and authority that immediately marked him as the Alpha. I couldn't deny that he was a good looking man, even though he looked very intimidating and I had a feeling that he might be wicked.
"Isn't he just perfect?? gods!" The girl beside me squealed at me in excitement. I turned to look at her. "I hope the gods will make him notice me! I will probably kill myself if he doesn't pick me!"
"Uh... I'm quite sure he'll pick you. You're very pretty." I said awkwardly to the girl. She smiled at me and took my hand in hers, holding it softly. I could feel the excitement in her. All this for a man that might end up not loving you?
Despite myself, I felt a flush rise in my cheeks looking at him. He was probably the most handsome man I'd ever seen. The raw magnetism rolling off him was palpable, even at a distance. No wonder every girl here was swooning over the chance to become his Luna.
"Welcome," Rafael's voice boomed out, deep and commanding. "I know you are all eager to begin the selection process. Please form a single straight line so that I could get a good look at every single one of you."
With a rustle of skirts, we hurried to arrange ourselves in a long line before him. I found myself at the very back, my heart pounding. This was it. Rafe began looking through the girls, most of which giggled, curtseyed or batted their eyelashes at him, an attempt to catch his attention. I could see how bored he looked and the smile didn't reach his eyes.
But then, as Rafe's eyes swept over the line, they came to rest on me. I felt an electric shock shoot through my body as his gaze held mine for a moment. Was he looking at me because of how shabby or looked or was he looking at me because I was glaring at him when he had caught my gaze?
Oh no. I was actually glaring at the king!
My hands dropped to my side as our gaze held. The tension between us causing the hair to thicken. Or was it just me? His piercing grey eyes seemed to stare right through me, seeing my very soul. I couldn't look away, transfixed by his powerful presence. Did he sense something in me that the others lacked? Or did he find me lacking, just a common peasant girl out of her depth here? I couldn't tell from the hard, unyielding look in his eyes.
After what felt like an eternity of silence, he turned abruptly away from me. I released the breath I didn't know I'd been holding. "I have made my choices," he announced to the room. There was complete silence. Everyone watched him with stark attention. Even his generals.
"The first girl I have selected is..." he paused for dramatic effect.
"Freya Hadid."
Gasps echoed around the hall. I froze, certain I had misheard.
"What!!" I heard Kelly shout from the other side of the room. I knew she would be more shocked than I was. It simply wasn't possible that somehow I'd been picked first.
But Rafe gestured for me to step forward. Completely shocked, I somehow made my feet move, still unable to believe the Alpha had chosen me first of all the girls present. Me? How could he pick me? This was impossible!
I knew Connor must have had a hand in this, I had told him I didn't want to be here anymore but I should have known he would take it as a challenge to keep me here.
I stepped out of the grand hall in a daze, my mind spinning. I stood alone for a few tense minutes before I heard a commotion back in the hall. Another name was called out - Addy Spencer. A tall, slender girl with flowing auburn hair hurried into the room. She gave me a hesitant smile as she introduced herself.
Before we could exchange more than a few pleasantries, a third girl entered Aurora Margo. Aurora wasted no time embracing us enthusiastically. "Hi, Freya, Hi Addy, I'm Aurora and I'm so happy to be here! aren't you guys??" I nodded even though I knew I wasn't really happy. I didn't want to be here.
Our chatter ceased abruptly when the fourth selected girl arrived. Jessica Gabriel, a popular beauty and aristocrat. She didn't spare us a glance as she passed us and picked a seat to sit down.
"And the final pick and fifth of my favorite ladies is... Kelly Hadid!" I froze as I heard her name. My step sister was part of the five.
I was stuck at the palace with Kelly.
SIX I scooped up the apple pie sitting beautifully on my plate and ate it generously, savoring the sweet taste as it melted in my mouth. I closed my eyes, feeling so content in that moment and even nostalgic. When I was smaller, my mom used to make pies like this. I remember how excited I always was whenever she announced that we would be having Apple pie for dinner. If only... "Hey, Freya. That's your name right?" Addy whispered to me as she shifted her seat closer with a cheerful smile on her face. I nodded. "Where are you and your sister? Hope you don't mind me asking" "Not at all. We stay at the western part of the kingdom, Not too far from the border. What about you?" "Oh I stay in the kingdom city. My house is only a 30 minutes drive away from here." Addy replied enthusiastically. You just know she was from a wealthy family and she has been showered love her whole life. Unlike me, who had been maltreated for as long as I can remember. My gaze turned to Kelly who wa
SEVENI awoke with a dry throat, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth. I wondered if the ladies were still waiting outside my door. Now I wish I had just told them to get me some water before going to bed last night when they had asked if I needed anything. It was past midnight already. "I need some water or else I might die." I whispered to myself as if taking permission from myself. What could happen? The highest was that I would get caught by a staff member or the guards. I decided I would find my way to the kitchen and try as much as possible not to get caught. Though I knew I shouldn't wander the werewolf palace alone at night. Our guide had mentioned that we should never step out of our rooms without being called for. But I couldn't wait inside my room when I was dying of thirst could I? "There goes nothing.." I said as I gathered my dark long hair into a braid and slipped on a modest nightdress before creeping to the door. Stepping into the shadowy hallway, I shu
Eight "Rise and shine miss!" "Good morning miss!"I groaned as the cheerful voices of my maids woke me up, followed by the curtains being drawn, revealing the early morning sun that brightened my whole room so much that I had to raise the thick duvet over my head. "Ughh.." "Miss Freya, the orientation begins in an hour. We must get you ready as soon as possible." It was Grace speaking now. She slowly pulled the covers over me and smiled at me despite my scowl. I had never been a morning person even though I always woke up early to do the house chores back at home. But then I had Gerard who sometimes allowed me to sleep in. But now, I had no choice but to obey my maids. "Okay, okay, I'm up." I huffed as I exited my sweet soft bed. I couldn't believe how soft it was. It was like I should never get up from the soft tresses again. It was so unfair that the rich and privileged got to enjoy this every single day of their life and there was some of us that has never known what
NINE I couldn't figure out why Kelly was being so nice to me. It was so unusual of her. Kelly had never hugged me before, not even when I'd gotten her Christmas presents hoping to make her like me. I had given up trying to create the love between us when she had crushed the chocolates and tore out the fur of a pretty pink teddy bear I had gotten her 3 years ago. She had said to my face that my gifts were fake and useless and it should be the last time I ever got her any gifts. I had spent the whole evening crying in my room and feeling sorry for myself. Why did I desperately want my stepsister to like me? Maybe because I missed my mom so much and i just needed to fill the void that she had left when she died. But I had to learn the hard way that I couldn't make anybody like me. I just had to be myself and whoever wanted to like me will do so without being forced. My gaze trailed over to Addy. As if she sensed me looking, she also turned to me at that moment. We shared a know
TEN He was still staring at me. His gaze boring into the tiny pores on my skin, eliciting goosebumps that betrayed how I felt inside even though I was trying my possible best to keep a straight face. I simply could not believe it. He couldn't be that Wolf I saw last night. He would have mention it to his guide by now and asked them to throw me out of the palace for attempting to trespass. But then again, maybe he wanted to keep me here only to torture me slowly? I couldn't be sure. I straightened my spine and turned away from him. I focused on Aramatha who was still addressing us. I didn't hear much as my attention had been on King Rafe. "Ladies, you each have the opportunity to curtesy to your king and ask him one single question. He will answer you and whichever one of you he wishes the continue the conversation with will sit and have lunch with him. Miss Jessica, please step forward.." Aramatha said to Jessica who was first in line where we stood in front of the king.
Eleven I had not even used up to a week here and I was already getting punishments for no reason. Way to go, Kelly. She was the one that put me in this situation. I doubt I would be able to survive with Kelly constantly trying to sabotage me here at the palace. I needed to do something fast. I needed to get back at her so she would leave me the fuck alone. My heart pounded in my chest as I stood before the Alpha Rafe in his chambers. His piercing green eyes bore into me, his muscular frame tense. He had told me to follow him but I had no idea we were going to his room. The whole room was bigger than my house at home. It was like a building on it's own, I wondered how he didn't get lost in it."Now tell me, why were you sneaking around the palace last night?" he demanded. "You know it's not safe. And you have been ordered to always stay in your room, haven't you?" I stared at him, speechless. He looked really upset. His handsome face dark with a frown directed right at me. I trie
Twelve My head was banging hard as I woke up in the middle of the night. I could feel my heart constrict from the force of the nightmare I had just woken up from. My breaths came out in short pants and I could stop the racing in my chest. I turned to look around my dark room to be certain that I was all alone before I busted into nerve-wrecking sobs. My mind trailed over the things I had endured in my father's house. Everyday, I found myself wondering why my father stopped loving me after my mom passed away. Was it because he was so heartbroken by her death that I reminded him of his late wife? Or was it just because he had never truly loved neither me nor mom? I turned to pick up the water on my table, downing it all in one long gulp. My mind went back to the nightmare I had. I was being chased by a lady in a long white gown who had no face. I remembered the terrifying fear that had gripped me as I tried to run from her. It had happened in a dark forest and right when she was
Thirteen The games had begun. The royal court garden was filled up with beautiful women and men who were here to watch the game. My mind was completely absent though. All I could think of was I hated Kelly for always wanting to put me in trouble with the Alpha king. There was no way I would survive staying here with Kelly tirelessly trying to bring me down. I needed to find a way for her to leave the competition completely. That was the only way I could ensure my freedom from my evil family members. "Freya! The king and the prince of Welis are starting the game now. They're playing charades. Don't you wish to join?" Addy came up beside me where I was seated at the back. She weaved her hand through my shoulders in an attempt to drag me up. I slouched. "Not really, Addy. I do not feel all that well. I thought I'd let myself rest a bit before joining the games. Are the other ladies at the front as well?" “Yes they are. You good though?” She had a worried look on her face.