Today I woke up with a tightness in my chest which I was familiar with, and I knew which day it was. I felt like I was carrying a huge burden on my shoulder, and believe me no she-wolf should face that.
Another year of rejection at the Choosing.I looked at myself in the mirror for about an hour wondering what was wrong with me. My eyes weren't that big to scare a potential mate, half the population in the world has light brown eyes right?My lips may have not been plumb, and pink like I would have loved, but they were not bad either. My height wasn't something to brag about, but as a she-wolf I was happy standing at 5'8.I had hip bearing hips that could easily carry an Alpha even though that wasn't what I would prefer.Black long hair, again was a universal colour, so why was this happening to me? Why was I the cursed she-wolf?"I know you've been disappointed these past couple of years, but I'm sure this year will be different." My mother tried to convince herself more than me. I knew this was more difficult for her than me.So, I nodded because that's what a good daughter does right?She already said that last year and the year before that, nothing was going to change and we both knew it, heck the whole pack knew it, that's why they called me"Cursed""I'm fine mom, if I'm not chosen, I'm not chosen it's not a big deal" I lied to her. It was a big deal, I was already twenty-five years old. Maybe it wasn't a big deal six years ago but it's been six years, fucken six years.That's when I turned 19 and started to attend the Choosing for the first time, but now I have been attending that tedious event for six years and every year I come back home more embarrassed than the previous year.The Choosing was held every year in October, and all the she-wolf that just turned 18 were invited, but my case was different since I only turned 18 in November , thus the year gap but believe me I wasn't complaining. I needed that year before things changed forever.Even pups younger than me were already pregnant, some even have two to three pups roaming their yards, yet I was still here, attending the stupid choosing just to get a mate, and still living under my father's roof."I love you, you know that right?" My mother tried another tactic, and again I just nodded.She seemed more nervous than I was, and I knew it had something to do with the change in behaviour on my father's part.I didn't want to drag this much longer and make her cry, mostly I didn't want to make my father wait. He was dreading this as much as I was. I nodded again not being able to say much while holding the burden of this family on my shoulder and the tears in my eyes.I took my bags to the car where my father was already waiting for me with a big scrawl on his face. You could see the darkness under his eyes, not to mention the sadness swirling in them.I knew he was disappointed in me for not getting myself a mate yet, that's why unlike other daughters I was carrying my bags to the car.My own father couldn't even look at me anymore. Two years ago, my sister turned eighteen and attended the choosing for the first time and she was the first one to be chosen by a Beta from the Dark kingdom. It was the most prestigious and rich pack after the Royal Pack, but my family happiness was short-lived because again their elder daughter was not chosen, nobody even batted a lash at me after that.That's why I was a disappointment to my family. Many times I thought of running away, but what will that accomplish? Because every pack I run to attend the same Choosing.We all go through all the same ritual, and rules, and soon enough the pack that found me was going to send me back to my father's house making me more of a disappointment to my familyI had no hope."Move faster, we are already late!" My father, who couldn't even bear to look at his daughter anymore, shouted and I did as I was told.I put both my bags in the trunk of his truck, getting in the back seat looking out the window.After last year's Choosing my father barely said a word to me, and whatever word he uttered was either an instruction or a jab at my situation.Like it was my faultI sat there in silence as my father drove out of the yard and followed other cars that were going in the same direction. I was nobody in the pack, just another member living in the pack but not low enough to be labelled an Omega.We drove for about four hours with me just watching the road and wondering what today held for me. Was this the year I left my home, and joined another pack or will I be riding in another silence ride at the end of the night going back home.This was supposed to be the happiest day of every she-wolf. It marked the beginning of our lives but when I saw the big brown decorated building that held the Choosing every year my stomach dropped.I felt nauseous, and light headed.Don't get me wrong the building was decorated nicely like it always did but the thought of entering the hall with all eyes on me, made me wish for death itself.I specifically remember the excitement I felt the first year coming here, but now seeing the big brown building was part of my neverending nightmares.Suddenly all the cars stopped at the big gates, and I knew we were waiting for our Alpha to grant us entrance and a pass to enter the building and confirm our invitation.The entrance was nothing fancy, just a big welcoming sign, flowers and red and white balloons. Like every other year they left the good stuff inside the ballroom. It will probably look like a fairytale there.The unbelievable human ones.Last year it was Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty the previous year and so on, but I still can't get the first theme from six years ago, when I first attended the Choosing out of my mind.Luna eclipse.It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Since we were not allowed to see the real one. Something about the eclipse driving the wolves feral, my father had told me.Believe me when I say I have seen almost all the themes at the Choosing. Sadly, even with all that attendance I couldn't even get a drunken omega to be interested in me.I remember my first Choosing. My mother spent all her savings and bought me an expensive dress to lure a suiter for me, her first daughter, but that didn't happen.It was money wasted.Now, neither of us even bother anymore. I just wore my blue ripped jeans, a white tank top, and white vans. What was the use of dressing up if you already knew the outcome of the choosing anyway?Finally the gates opened, getting me out of my depressing thoughts.The warriors welcomed each car inside, and I could see many new she-wolves smiling, and for some sad reason I envied them. So, when our car finally parked I went straight to the huge line where we registered for the Choosing and if you were lucky enough you got chosen anonymously by a shy mate.But firstly we were going to parade ourselves with a name tag that had our name, age, height, and which pack you were from on it. And let me not forget how high you were on the food chain. I was at the bottom just before the omegas.Which again didn't help my case.Next, I went to the garden without bothering about my father's whereabouts. I knew he wouldn't want to be seen with me. He already heard the whispers and taunts, enough to last him a lifetime.I walked around looking at the calming flowers that surrounded the big fountain with a sculpture of a big black lycan. Thee, first Alpha king himself. The water seemed calm, coming out of both nostrils of the sculpture. It wasn't the most enticing sight but it always seemed to calm me down.This place gave me time to think, and fight the edge to run back home, get in bed and cry myself to sleep, sad I know but that's has been my life for the past six years.I closed my eyes trying to enjoy the scent of different flowers in the garden, when I heard footsteps coming my way, and I groaned knowing someone was coming. The feeling got worse when, the said she-wolf guessing from her scent, sat next to me. I opened my eyes wondering who would want to sit next to the cursed girl like me. I thought the whispers would have spread by now. No one wanted to catch what I had. Apparently not being chosen was transferrable.Ridiculous, I know. If it was, my sister wouldn't have been chosen by the Beta and became the first option."Hi" said the girl shyly, she looked younger than me, but prettier with her long curly light brown hair, big green eyes, that was staring at me with wonder.I was sure I had the same look too, how else could I explain why I haven't answered her greeting yet? but I was shocked, who would risk their future, even if it was a lie?"Mhhh, hi" I mumbled, and she gave me her perfect white smile."My name is Ingrid. I am from the Royal Forest pack." she said, still smiling and I had to give her a forced smile back so I don't come out as rude"I'm Sophia, from the White stones pack." I answered and I saw a realisation in her eyes, finally putting two and two together. She already heard about me, but instead of walking away like other she-wolves usually do, her smile widened and the crazy She-wolf scooted even closer."Thee, cursed girl? they were talking about you on the bus!" She exclaimed happily. It was not a question because she wasn't even looking at me or waiting for an answer, but I nodded anyway there was no use lying about it now"Just you know, I don't think you're cursed, I just think it hasn't been your time yet, everyone has that one special someone made just for them, and I think your husband is waiting for you. He will come when the time is right, the question is, would you accept him?" Her words surprised me. She said all this without looking at me, her eyes were looking at the white roses in front of her the whole time.But one thing stood out, why wouldn't I accept my mate? The person who would get me out of this hell I am in?"I think my special somebody died a long time ago." It was meant to be a joke, even though I believed it was true.I don't know why I was opening up to the stranger but her words were kind, which I wasn't used to. The thought that I didn't have a mate or that he may have died crossed my mind often, but this was the first time I actually said the words out loud to another being."Then the goddess gave you another one!" She said as a matter of fact.Which made me wonder how she could know all that, but before I could ask her what she meant by that, she quickly got up and left without saying another word!Weird right? I guess this Choosing may be different after all.A howl filled the air signalling the beginning of the Choosing.I stood up from my chair, shaking my head trying to rid myself of Igrid's words. Her words had so much meaning but I couldn't decipher what she was trying to tell me. Did she know something I didn't? Could her words be true? Did the moon Goddess grant me another chance at having a mate? I hated what her words were doing to my psych. She was giving me hope. Hope that I had lost four years ago. I hate this feeling. I decided to stop overthinking and go inside the hall where the Choosing was taking place. I didn't want to be the last person to enter that room bringing more attention to me than I would like to.Inside was very fancy, and for some reason they went back to my favourite theme, I had seen in the Choosing. The Luna eclipse. I couldn't help the smile that graced my face even in the face of this atrocity exhibition called 'The Choosing.'Someone shook me, since I was lost in the decorations that soothed my soul
Ingrid left as soon as I gave my answer. I didn't know what she was up to, and how she was going to pull this off, but the prospect of leaving here, chosen, brought a smile to my face. Yes, once the fog passed a little I remembered her name. I was a little anxious, but I couldn't wait to hear my name being called by the scary Beta. For the first time in six years, I looked forward to hearing his gruff voice. Was I too optimistic? Should I leave room for disappointment Incase Igrid couldn't pull this off? I really wanted to, but for some reason I knew she would pull through for me, and was going to do as she promised. Yeah, I was a little naive but I didn't care. This is the best hope I ever got. Once suitors heard 'cursed girl' they looked the other way, but this Igrid girl and whoever she was working for, didn't care. Which was the cause for the hope that rose in me. After our talk, I finally relaxed and sat back down not minding the whispers anymore. Fuck them right? Imagine
"Luna Queen!" I blurted out bowing in respect, and my father bowed respectfully too. "Don't do that, little pup. That's so impersonal. You can call me Queen Mother, and you must be Mr Stademan." She turned towards my father, extending her hand to him. I think he was as shocked as I was. Did we get into the wrong room? I swear I saw my name written on the blue door. "Luna Queen. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, but we must be in the wrong room. We are sorry to disturb you." My father bowed again. "Don't be silly Mr Stademan. You're where you are supposed to be. I am the one who chose your daughter for my grandson." She said with a smile, and I interrupted without checking myself or who I was talking to. Damn mouth, always blurting things out without my consent. "But he is married. I just saw his wife with him in the hall. Unless you have another grandson we don't know about, I don't see how that is possible?" The glare I got from my father was enough to kill a bull, never min
I looked totally different, beautiful but still different. The hair, the expensive clothes and heavy make-up was not who I was. Yes, I was a girly girl who liked to doll herself up when I have time, but I didn't go to this extend. They call the look natural but I have more makeup on my face than anything else. How is that a natural look? Do they even know what natural mean?My hair that was black, now looked brunette with highlights. My lips were painted nude, so were my nails. I was wearing a champagne off shoulder lace gown with sleeves that reached under my elbows. The dress was decorated with lace but had a silk skirt which didn't look bad if I say so myself. I loved heels, heck I had bunch loads at my house even though I didn't pack any when I came to the Choosing but these silver pumps I was wearing now, were to die for, an inheritance I was going to keep for myself after this shitshow ended. "Are you ready?" Ingrid asked from behind me. I was admiring yet hating on myself i
"He started it." I complained like a pup after being scolded. "Queen mother, you know me. I don't behave like a lunatic. I am a respected Alpha not some mutt who can't control their tongue." My so-called husband responded even though I wasn't talking to him but his grandmother. "Calling me a cursed girl in front of my father is holding your tongue? Is that Alpha like?" I shouted at him. "Permit me to kill her, your majesty!" He growled at me. "Both of you, shut up!" Luna Queen growled at us. "No one is dying today. Do you hear me? Bryce doesn't even think of touching a hair on her head. If you ever touch her, I will kill you myself." She warned "...and you!" She turned to look at me, and I immediately bowed down. "Bryce is not only your husband but your Alpha, addresses him as one. Instead of you two fighting you should be figuring out how you are going to give me a heir tonight, which is not negotiable" she said the last part the minute our mouths were about to open. "Tonight?
Silence. Nope awkward silence, that's what we were left with. We finally made the decision that even if we were forced to be intimate, having an audience was much worse. Now, the question remains, how the fuck do we do this without guilt or feeling dirty?"I'm going to take a shower, and you can also do it after." Bryce told me. How dare he? I was not one of his subjects. I will take a shower when I feel like taking a shower. "Why you first?" "Do you want to do it, first?" He raised an eyebrow at me, like I was a stubborn pup. The truth is, I didn't. I am not sure I want him to see me naked yet. Heck, I didn't even know how we were going to be intimate without touching. This was my first time, and I never thought my first time was going to be this awkward. If I had known, I would have taken Paul on his offer in tenth grade to have Netflix and chill. That way, at least I knew I was going to enjoy it. "No, I was just asking. I should have known that even a single question would t
Lights off but I could still see him. My enhanced eyesight didn't help, which meant he could see all of me too. "Are you listening to me?" He growled from the feet of the bed. "I am listening. I'm just mhmm.." okay, I was listening and frankly this felt a little weird to me. "Stop being stiff. I won't hurt you, not only for your safety but mine as well. My grandma would kill me if I did." He tried to joke which actually loosened me up a bit."Then walk me through it. You might be an expert but I am not, okay? Make fun of me all you want." I didn't care if he knew anymore. He didn't laugh, smirk or chuckle like I expected him to. "Firstly, stop clutching the towel like I am going to rape you." He instructed, and I obliged even though it was not fully. Relaxing was harder to do. Even after I left the towel to only rest on my body, now my bottom lip took the brunt. "Now, take a deep breath and try to relax. I am not going to bite, unless you want me to." He joked, and that made me
I heard the knock again, which caused me to finally open my eyes. The curtains were closed and I couldn't see what time it was, but what I wondered was who was at the door. Bryce wouldn't have knocked. He had his own key. Bryce, where the hell was he? I checked beside the bed where his clothes were kept but they were gone. Any trace that he had been in this room with me was gone. I felt a pang of disappointment in my heart but chose to ignore it. I didn't know what I was expecting but it served me right for expecting anything in the first place. I knew very well he was not mine. Another knock, this time urgent, got me off the bed, and I threw on the throw over my body covering very well, and went to the door to see what was going on. I opened the door and an older man, probably in his fifties, sipgeru blonde hair, brown dull eyes, wearing a royal suit, stood by the door bowing slightly. "Morning, how can I help you?" I greeted politely which caused me to wince at my morning breat