Lottery Arena Genesis

Almost time

AMARIS

I stood in the bathroom, staring at my own reflection in the mirror. This single handedly had to be the worst experience in my life. I felt sick with myself that for the first time ever, I was actually glad that my baby sister Ava, was dead. Because the idea of her being here, experiencing any of this... sounded like a fate far worse than death. I didn’t like to think about her at all. It was still just too hard, I’d held her in my arms as she took her last breath...

Amaris? It’s going to be Ok... we’ll walk free one day. Haze was right about one thing, it won’t always be like this. And when we choose a mate, it’ll be because we want him. He’s out there somewhere, and we’ll find him when we’re least expecting it. All of this will have seemed worth it then. My wolf, Annukka thought to me.

Annukka, no offense… but I couldn't give a f**k about a mate. I don’t think there’s a male out there that could make me change my mind on this. He’d have to be one in a billion to make me feel differently. I told her. 

I heard a light knock on the bathroom door. “Amaris? I’ve got your clothes…” Sky’s voice came through the other side of the door. She was incredibly sweet. She had a quiet strength about her that I admired. I wiped the tears out of my eyes before opening the door to her. I knew she and the other females looked to me for strength. It was difficult to always hide how broken I felt sometimes. 

She was already dressed. “The guards are waiting to take us back…” She said as she handed me my clothes. 

“Thanks.” I told her as I took my dress from her hands. Sky took a step into the bathroom, surprising me. 

“Can I… can I ask you what Haze said or did to you?” She whispered to me. “Did he hurt you?” she added as I dropped my robe and began putting my bra and underwear on.

“No Sky, he didn’t hurt me. He told me the truth. Let’s just leave it at that.” I told her. I was in no mood to talk about The Alpha’s son until it dawned on me. “Why? Please don’t tell me that you actually like that asshole?” I asked her, searching her face. 

Her cheeks instantly pinkened. “Sky, come on… you’re better than this, then him.” I told her with clear irritation in my voice. Her soft face actually twisted up in what appeared to be anger.

“You don’t always have to be such a d**k, Amaris. You can let your guard down sometimes and let someone in, ya know?” Sky said as she turned around and walked out of the bathroom. I scrubbed my hand down my face. f*****g perfect.  

I splashed some water on my face before walking out of the bathroom. The Commander was standing on the other side of the door, smiling at me. I could hear Annukka growling in my mind. She hated this asshole even more than I did, if that was possible.

“Amaris, it was nice seeing… a different side of you today. You’d make a good mate if you bothered learning a thing or two.” He said as his eyes wandered down and back up my body.

“Funny, I was gonna say the same thing about you, Koda.” I said looking him square in the eyes, because f**k him. His face turned red with anger at my words. 

He leaned in closer to me, making me take an automatic step backwards. “Your attitude is going to get you into real trouble one of these days, girl.” He said.

“I’m done with this pissing contest. I think you’ve gotten more than enough out of me today, don't you?” I pushed past him not waiting for his answer, I needed to get out of here. I could feel myself struggling to maintain control.

SKY

We had one week to go. We’d be released within the arena in just seven days. I spent every day with Amaris and worked on improving my endurance. She didn’t bring up our little chat from the bathroom on inspection day, and neither did I. And as much as I tried not to, I thought about Haze. Was the fascination all one sided? Surely I hadn’t imagined the look of desire in his eyes whenever he looked at me? 

If I had a choice, I’d love to not be forced into bonding with anyone. But unlike Amaris, I wasn’t so confident I’d make it out of the arena on my own. I was certainly going to try, but I knew the odds weren’t in my favor with 40 males searching for any signs of a female. Plus, The Alpha was giving them seven days. I could maybe successfully hide for 24 hours or so, but an entire week? It just didn’t feel possible.  

Today we were going on a tour of the arena. The Commander and Ms. Anne plus our usual army of guards would accompany us into the arena. We hadn’t been told much about supplies, sleeping arrangements or anything else. I was hopeful they’d give us something. I didn’t want to have to hunt for every meal. If there was even anything to hunt within the arena.

Amaris and I walked next to each other in silence. Some of the girls were softly talking as we approached the arena. The double gates were massive. It was truly impressive that they were able to build this in under two years. 

“Ladies, listen up.” Ms. Anne said as we reached the entrance. “The Alpha, The Commander and The Elders have come up with a standard issued backpack you’ll each be given. You may put a few personal effects in there, if you wish. But they’ll contain your clothing, blanket, fire starter kit and first aid kit. Not that we anticipate anyone needing medical treatment, we’d just like to err on the side of caution.” She explained as we gathered around her. There were just 15 of us.

“What about food? Is there game in there to hunt?” I asked her. 

“I’m glad you asked, Sky. Yes, there is wildlife to hunt if that’s what you choose to do. However, there will be feeding areas set up throughout the arena. We’ll show you girls where those are located today and then you’ll get about an hour to explore on your own.” Ms. Anne clarified.

Amaris was quiet throughout the entire little tour they took us on. After they were finally finished showing us the feeding areas, and a few streams with fresh water they let us go off on our own. We had to return when the alarm sounded throughout the arena.

“Sky?” Amaris broke the silence after we’d walked a little ways. “I’m sorry, I had no right to judge you... in the bathroom on inspection day. And if you’re curious about Haze, there’s nothing wrong with that. I think you could certainly do a lot worse than him.” She said softly.

“It’s ok. It was a tough day. We’d just been through… a lot. I’m sorry I snapped at you and called you a dick.” I told her.

“Yeah, what was that about?” she asked, laughing. “I didn’t think you had it in you to call someone a dick.” We joked around a little as we continued exploring some of the wooded areas. “Want to hear something really weird?” She asked me as we continued down the pathway in the woods. “The first time I saw you in The Commander’s office, I thought you smelled good. Like really really good. It was faint, and it smelled kinda like the ocean. But I haven't smelled it on you since that first day.” She told me. I didn’t really have a response to that. I couldn’t understand why I’d smell like the ocean. 

She was smelling our brother. Azul cut in for the first time in a long time. Maybe Amaris wouldn’t go forever without a mate like she thought.

“Amaris, is it really your plan to not get captured? Do you think they’ll let you go?” I chanced asking her. 

“Yes, it’s really my plan to not get captured. I’d fight to the death before I’d let a male take me.” She said, kneeling down next to a pond we’d stumbled upon. 

“I’d like to stay with you in here. If it’s possible... but if it comes down to it, and you have to leave me… then leave me. Do you understand what I’m saying? I won’t bring you down. If you want to walk out of here, then I want that too.” I told her firmly.

“And what do you want, Sky?” She asked me just as the alarm sounded. The truth was I wasn’t sure, but I was going to find out soon enough.