Mated to My Bullies

Nova's POV I'm running through the forest of the hunting grounds, and I can feel them gaining on me. I turn my head to see how much distance is between us, and I trip over an exposed tree root. As I try to disentangle myself and get up, the shadows descend on me and as I peer up at them, all I can see is darkness and two sets of glowing gold eyes staring down on me. All of a sudden, a blaring alarm bell jolts me awake and the dream fades away. I bolted upright in a cold sweat and hit the button on the alarm clock to silence it, taking in my surroundings. I'm not in the forest, I'm back in my bedroom in the Raven Sky pack house. I've been living in the pack house since I turned 16 two years ago, and love the room Luna Anna has chosen for me, even though I don't know why she decided I should move out of my family home into the pack house. The room is beautiful with pale blue walls, a plush white carpet, a 4 poster bed with sheer white curtains, a pale blue duvet, a walk-in closet, and an en-suite bath. The bathroom is just as lovely with pale blue floor tiles and white walls, the bath is a claw foot tub in a gold color, as are the toilet and pedestal sink. There is a pale blue vanity table next to the sink. I was brought out of my musings by a knock at my door, and bid the person to enter. Luna Anna peeks her head in, and tells me Alpha Sean and my father wish to see me in the Alpha office. I thanked her and went into my closet to get dressed. I picked out a pale yellow sundress that fell to my knees, and tan wedges, and sat at the vanity to brush my ebony hair, add a little pink blush to my ivory cheeks to add some color, a little light pink lip tint, mascara to make my violet eyes pop. I love my eyes as I have never met another that has eyes that are light purple. Realizing that I spent 15 minutes on my appearance, I leave my room to go see why the alpha and my father summoned me. The alpha doesn't like to be kept waiting. Stopping outside the office, I gently knocked, and waited for permission to enter, then opened the door. Alpha Sean is seated at his desk with my father sitting in one of the red plush armchairs across from him. They both smiled as I walked in. I bow to Alpha Sean, and apologize for my tardiness. "No need for that, Nova, you're right on time. Your father and I have just been talking about your joining the hunt again this year." Alpha Sean says, pointing me to the chair next to my father. I go to sit down, and rolled my eyes at the mention of the hunt. "Do I really have to participate this year? I mean I've been to the hunt for two years now, and no one has found and claimed me. Can't I just stay here, and mate one of our own? There are a few untamed warriors that would make perfect matches." I say, frowning. I really don't want to participate in a mating hunt full of arrogant alphas, betas, and several omegas that got permission to find mates. "Now Nova, I know you think these hunts are pointless, and barbaric, but it is time you settle down and start producing pups, you have a duty to the pack and our species here. The moon goddess has not fated wolves together in years, and so we have to take matters into our own hands to mate our kind together. These hunts work as the weaker, slower wolves usually get caught by the other weaker males, and the brighter, stronger wolves get mated to the stronger males. You have evaded every male for two years, so you are desired by every alpha, beta, and warrior in every pack participating. Even if we agreed not to send you, we have been ordered that you participate for one final year." my father explains, "If this year you can evade every male again, I will let you stop competing, and follow your heart." he finishes. "If they haven't caught me by now, what makes everyone think this year will be different?" I inquire of them both. Alpha Sean grins, "This year the male turnout has tripled. It seems everyone wants a chance to catch the elusive Nova. Even my own boys will be coming back from alpha and beta training to compete." At that I blanched. Lake and River are coming back? Those two have terrorized me my entire life until they left for training 3 years ago. Flashback: The whole pack's teens are having a party at the waterfall, and I snuck out to join them. I'm 13 years old and have been crushing on Henry for 3 years. He is 14, and totally gorgeous, with wavy blown hair that falls to his shoulders, and dimples in his cheeks when he smiles, his green eyes sparkle when he talks, and he is starting to fill out with muscles and will likely be starting warrior training as soon as he gets his wolf at 16. His attention is all mine tonight, and I'm enjoying the attention. He asks me if I would like to go somewhere more quiet, and I happily agree linking my hand with his. He leads me to a more secluded area of the lake surrounding the waterfall, and we stand there gazing into each other's eyes. He makes and move to kiss me, and I close my eyes in anticipation. All of a sudden, I hear a thud, and I am picked up and flying through the air, hitting the cold water of the lake. As I break through the surface I see Henry lying on the ground holding his cheek, Lake and River the alpha's twin boys, and future Alpha and Beta are standing on the shore laughing, as is the rest of the pack. End flashback. That is just one instance of the torture those two have made my life, and I was happy to see them go away to training 2 days later when they turned 16. "Nova you are 18 now, please join this year's hunt for the last time, if you evade everyone one last time we will leave the choice up to you, on who you mate, or whatever you decide to do in life." Alpha Sean says to me, and I really can't say no when he has been ordered to have me attend. "Okay, you both win, I will attend one last time. Where is it hosted, this year?" I ask. "Right here in our very own pack." my father answers. I grin, this year will be a piece of cake to avoid everyone. I know these lands like the back of my hand. "Be ready by 7 am for the hunt welcome breakfast on the pack house back lawn." Alpha Sean says, and dismisses me. I head back to my room to make my plans and get ready to evade over 30,000 wolves from 10 packs. As I left the office my best friend Susan, Alpha and Luna's youngest met me, and we head up to my room to get ready for tomorrow. She is also joining the hunt this year, but she is actually excited and looking forward to it. "So what is your plan this year Nova? Are you finally going to let someone catch you, or continue to be a ghost?" Susan asks giggling.