Lottery Arena Genesis

See you in there

HAZE

I hadn’t slept very well all week. My mind kept returning to the inspection of the shewolves, to how Sky had seen me behave. Did she hate me? Of course she did, why wouldn’t she?

She doesn’t hate you. She kept looking to you the entire time she was on the stage. Arctic thought to me.

Well, she’s at least frightened by me. I thought back.

Yeah, I can’t really disagree with that one. She did look scared. He added.

I’d never hated anything more than when she stepped out onto that stage and lowered her robe. I couldn’t help but look, she was beyond beautiful. She was soft and elegant. I couldn’t get over how perfect she seemed, in her quiet beauty. 

It took everything I had to control Arctic when some of the males began making comments about her body. Especially when I saw tears spring to her eyes at some of the vulgar things they were saying. I prayed she hadn’t heard everything. 

Haze? Before we begin and are let loose today, I need to know… do you only want her? Arctic asked me.

I hadn’t really considered any other shewolf. I thought about the different females I could remember being introduced during the inspection. Amaris’ fiery face came to mind, and a handful of others. It’s not that the other girls weren’t beautiful, they were. But there was only one in the bunch for me. The idea of any other male claiming Sky made me see red. 

Well, that’s my answer then. Her or no one. You know what father will do if we come out of the arena without her, don’t you? Arctic added.

Then be the Alpha wolf I know you are. Find me my mate. I told him firmly. I could feel his resolve taking over and our goal of capturing Sky forming into one in our mind.

Will you tell her you’re the reason she’s in here this year? Arctic thought as we walked to the large kitchen.

Eventually, yes. I told him truthfully as I went through my backpack one last time. It was early, just before 6am and I was the only one up and moving in the packhouse. I knew my father was

already gone because his door was open when I’d come downstairs.

I checked to make sure I had some rope, cuffs, a large hunting knife, canteen and an emergency thermal blanket. I packed a few non-perishable food items from the kitchen as well as looked over my first aid kit. 

I healed exceptionally well, but I didn’t want to be cocky and stupid. So I packed it just to be on the safe side. I ate a quick breakfast before cleaning up and tossing my bag over my shoulder. I had to be at the shewolves’ compound by 7. It wouldn’t take me that long to walk there but as The Alpha’s son I was expected to arrive a little early.

When I arrived most of the other males were arriving as well. We weren’t starting until noon so it would be a few hours before most of the other pack members arrived and were let in. There was a holding area just to the right of the gates for the 40 males participating in the arena. I could see my father and The Commander off in the distance. They looked to be discussing something as they walked toward us. 

“We’ve brought the pack doctor to look you all over before you're released within the arena. Head to the barrack next to my office, it’s the medical bay. We don’t have a lot of time so move quickly. He’ll need to check the females’ health next.” The Commander said as he looked us all over. 

“Do we get to watch that too?” One of the males piped up making some of the others laugh. My jaw tightened at his idiotic words. Was there nothing left that we wouldn’t attempt to take from them? I was still trying to figure out what kind of Alpha I would be, but I knew I would be better than this. Then my father.

We entered the medical bay through the side door. My head instantly jerked up in surprise when I smelled females. The shewolves were on the other side of a curtain about halfway through the barrack. It was partially open and I could make out a few of them standing around. 

I wasn’t the only one that had noticed of course and some of the males were practically breaking their own necks trying to get a peek.

I quickly walked down to the end by the curtain and took the exam table closest to the curtain. I knew I’d at least be respectful and not peek at the females anymore then they had already been. The males finally settled into their spots waiting for the doctor to come around. 

I heard a soft ruffling on the table directly next to me. My view was blocked by the curtain but I could smell her. I’d gotten a good amount of her scent when I’d gone backstage at their inspection, so I knew it was her. Sky. 

She smells like… breakfast. Arctic thought to me.

Oh yeah, just what every woman wants to hear. I thought, practically rolling my eyes at my wolf. She doesn’t smell like breakfast. She smells like cinnamon doughnuts fresh out of the oven… and warm coffee. She smells like comfort… like home. I thought wistfully. 

Nah, she definitely smells like fresh breakfast. Maybe a hint of bacon too. Arctic added. If he wasn’t part of me, this would be the point when I killed him.

I could see the outline of her body through the curtain. I cleared my throat softly, I saw her shadow move as she turned her head toward me.

I wasn’t sure if she even wanted me to ask, but I couldn’t help it. “Are you ok?” I asked her as I scanned the room to see if anyone was paying attention to me. They weren’t, most were chatting amongst themselves as the doctor made his rounds.

“Me?” I heard her soft voice whisper in surprise. 

“Yes you, Sky. How are you handling all of this?” I wasn’t sure what she thought of me but I did have the urge to protect her, to keep her safe, to make her mine.

“I’m surprised you remembered my name. But if I’m being honest right now… I’m scared. I don’t know how aggressive or violent it’ll be in there… and seven days is such a long time.” She said softly.

“It’ll be alright, the males aren’t going to hurt any of you. They’ll kill each other to get to you, but they aren’t going to hurt you.” I didn’t like that she felt so frightened. But I tried to understand what it may be like if I were in her shoes, I guess the aspect of being hunted down would be scary. Especially if you weren’t a natural fighter or survivor.

“Haven’t enough wolves died?” She whispered so softly I barely heard the words. Before I could answer her though she surprised me when she cleared her throat and asked me, “So, do you have a shewolf in mind? Or will any female be ok for you?”

“No, not just any female will do. There’s one in particular I can’t seem to stop thinking about. Hopefully she’ll want me to capture and claim her… things are going to be complicated if she doesn’t.” I told her truthfully.

The doctor was getting closer to my exam table so I knew I didn’t have long to talk with her.

“Would you take her against her will?” she leaned in a little closer to the curtain.

“Hopefully I won’t have too.” I said, looking directly at her shadow. “I’ll see you in there, Sky.” I told her as the doctor approached me.

“See you in there, Haze.” she whispered as she got off the exam table and walked away.