Selene woke to her mother’s soft face and voice. She was back inside.
“Sweetie,” her mother said, and Selene groaned, rolling over in her bed, wincing as her body ached with the movement.
“We must get ready, love,” her mother continued, and Selene opened an eye.
The stupid choosing ceremony. “I’m not going.”
She wasn’t getting married, and the crowd had looked women heavy, which meant multiple wives to the same men. They didn’t need her.
“Selene, I know it was hard on you, the offering night always is, but it’s over with. They can’t hurt you anymore, and your father has already sent word to the alphas about the state you’ve come back in. It is unacceptable, winter born or not,” her mother said, tears in her voice.
Selene shot up at the mention of the alphas. “He did what?”
“We will
