Betrothed by Moonlight

Chapter 2

I looked around and took in the gloomy faces of the others who has daughters as old as us. The other whose daughters had not come of age had a lighter mood and whispered.

The nature of humans. They were not concerned as long as they would not be chosen. They typically cared for only themselves.

"Do you think itll be our family?" Genevieve asked in a small voice. I didn't know how to reply to the question.

I didn't like to sugarcoat things. Andbhonestly, we had a very high chance.

One, the loud family had two daughters that were of age. Secondly, our family has never been selected.

I didn't want to lie and tell her we won't be chosen when we very well could be.

"I don't know Genevieve" this was the most honest answer I could give her.

She heaved a sigh and looked away. I wished I could make her smile but she was going to be like this until we left the hall without being chosen.

After two long hours, Silas decided to make an appearance with his family.

I could see the solemn look on their face. It saddened him to send the girl but an agreement was an agreement.

We've never heard the full story just snippets but from what I know, one of our past leaders agreed with them to stop the beasts from killing us.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Silas said once he climbed the podium. A true gentleman. He was never late and always made apologies for his mistake.

A few grumbles from the people but the hall went silent. At that moment, I saw Edel enter the hall. His hair was ruffled and the sunlight caught the golden strands making him stand out.

His eyes traveled around the room and rested on mine. I gave him a wide smile and waved before he took his seat. He waved back and Silas cleared his throat.

I realized a lot of eyes were ok me and I blushed. Edel had made some noise when he entered and eyes were on him so when he waved at me, they looked in my direction.

"Let us proceed," Silas said and all attention went back to him.

"All the parents, to the left. The men at the center and the girls to the right" there was shuffling of feet and noiseas we rearranged ourselves. Genevieve and I moved to the right with the other girls.

"Now. The girls below twenty move to the left and let those that are of age remain on the right" there were loud footsteps and the younger girls moved. When I looked back, I paled.

The girls of age at the gathering were significantly smaller than the previous year. Some people had moved to other cities. And since they were gone, they couldn't be part of the choosing.

I knew a lot of people who were ripe for the choice but their parents had removed them. Probably when they heard there'll be a choice soon.

"Im scared" Genevieve whispered. This time, I didn't say a word. I was scared too.

Silas's eyes moved from one face to another while his assistant stood beside him.

"As usual, five families will be called, and we'll keep eliminating until we get to the last family. So once you hear your last name, please stand"

"Hinsen. Pegany. Stawarski. Beischel."

The girls were already standing.

Everyone remained silent as we waited for the last name. His eyes landed on mine and I quickly looked away.

Don't call us.

Don't call us.

"Dolivo. Please stand" I was standing while trying to process the information. Genevieve also stood up. Ifelt her eyes on me but I couldn't look at her. I won't be able to handle her watery eyes.

"Pegany and Stawarski you may seat" audible signs of relief could be heard across the room. I shuffled on my feet and said a prayer under my breath.

"Beischel. Take your seat"

I was nervous now. My family had never gotten to this stage ever. From mother's stories, our family name has never been called.

My heart thumped wildly in my chest and I was sure it was the samne for Genevieve. One look at her and I could see her shaking.

Please don't let us be chosen. I prayed. Ill be more obedient and respectful. Il take my responsibilities seriously but please let us seat.

I didn't care that I sounded selfish at this moment. Ill be happy if they picked her over us and there was no denying it.

Silas and his advisor were in a corner talking in hushed tones. Their eyes moved over us every few minutes. I shrugged off the dreadful feeling that was threatening to consume me.

Silas and his advisor finished their discussion and we waited for them to address us.

"It hurts me to do this. It hurts all of us but it is necessary because it's the only way we can be safe" He took a deep breath.

"The choosing is not malicious or personal. To the family that gets chosen, you have a week to prepare your daughter. Say your last goodbyes and when the men come to take her, do not struggle with them. Simply hand her over to the guards"

The hall was tense as everyone waited for his final decision. And he just remained silent. At one point I wanted to scream at him.

"Hinsley." He called their name and hesitated. He had a solemn look on his face and I was convinced that family had been chosen. I visibly relaxed and waited for him to complete it.

"You may take your seat" my head jerked up. His eyes were on the Hinsley girl. Was he? Was he telling her to take her seat?

I looked at him and his eyes caught mine.

"Dolivo. Your family has been chosen"

The house was silent. I thought the morning was bad, it was even worse.

My mother silently cooked in the kitchen, father locked himself in the bedroom and Coulter was nowhere to be seen.

I opened Genevieve's bedroom door. She wiped her eyes quickly.

"Genevieve? Are you crying?"

"Of course not"

"That's a lie. There's tears in your eyes"

"I said it's nothing" she snapped. I plopped in her bed but she remained seated with her back facing me.

"You don't want to join me?" I asked and she sighed and lay down with me.

"Im sorry for snapping at you"

"Im not offended"

"Still. I shouldn't have. It's not like it's your fault"

"What do you think is going to happen" I asked her instead.

"We are the only daughters papa has"

"But I think something can be done.

Maybe we can speak to the alpha and make him change his mind about it, maybe he can choose another family"

She scoffed. "It doesn't work like that Celeste"

"But if..."

"Stop it Celeste" she said angrily and sat up again.

"Do you think the other families want to send their daughters too. You think any of them will be willing to exchange places with us"

"We'll never know if we don't try"I tried to reason but it only made her angrier.

"Nothing can change our fate now. It's better if you wake up from your silly dreams and face the reality. This isn't the same as making Rosa sell the stupid shop. This is something bigger than any of us" she was breathing harshly when she finished talking and

I felt hurt.

Tears were welling in my eyes. Genevieve had never spoken to me like that. Not even when we had our little quarrels that never lasted. I quickly stood up from her bed while hiding my face so she wouldn't see my tears.

"Celeste I..." but I was hearing none of it. I closed her door and rushed to my room locking the door behind me. It was then I let the tears fall.

Why was she so upset with me. I was only trying to lighten the mood and make things better. Why did she have to snap at me. It wasn't like it was my fault we got chosen.

I wiped my eyes angrily. I shouldn't be crying. She was the one who got me upset my losing her temper and yelling at me. I wasn't going to speak to her until she apologized for her blow up.

I didn't leave my room until dinner. I spent the time. Arranging my room over and over again until I was tired.

It was something I did whenever I was upset. It helped to calm me down.

I slumped on my bed when my muscles felt weak and I was out like a light shortly after.

A knock on the door woke me up from sleep.

"Celeste, dinner will be ready in thirty minutes" my mum called from the other side of the door. I dragged myself from my bed and to the bathroom to take a shower after which I changed into leggings and a sweater. I felt a bit cold after my shower.

My phone rang on my bed and I picked it. Edel's name flashed on the screen. I quickly swiped and picked the call.