Lottery Arena Genesis

Say what now?

HAZE

“Haze, where are you?” My father yelled up the steps of the pack house as I was coming out of my room. “Do not keep me waiting, boy.” He added as I quickly jogged down the hall and stairs. “I’m sorry, Sir.” I told him. It was always best to just acknowledge his moods and apologize if that’s what I thought he wanted. I didn’t want to argue, I just wanted peace. He nodded his head at me and started walking off; that was always my cue to follow him. 

After we reached the main hall and met up with Commander Koda, Issac and Drake, he turned around and looked me over. “Tonight’s pack meeting will be the first time the pack gets the information on the lottery arena. We will select 39 males from a lottery drawing, 40 total with yourself included. Every male that is 21 years of age or over will have his name entered one time automatically. Pack members that have displayed extraordinary work ethic or obedience will have their names entered more than once, depending on their deeds.” He said firmly, eyeing me. 

I just nodded my head. This wasn’t news to me. “We’ll hold the lottery yearly and release just 15 shewolves within the arena for seven days. They’ll be given a one hour lead and then the selected males will be let loose to vye against each other to capture and claim a mate. To the death if necessary.” He added. “The Commander and I have decided that at tonight’s meeting we will inspect all the viable females, in front of the pack. They’ll remove all their garments and they’ll be introduced one at a time on the platform.” He said, Issac and Drake looked to be smirking.

My jaw tightened and ticked before I spoke, “You can’t be serious father?” I asked after he finally let me in on what the inspection process would be. His wolf Finn, growled out through him. 

I quickly tried to recover. “Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to have the inspection process of the shewolves just for those selected for the arena? It could make the pack members work even harder if they knew they might get to peek at the available shewolves?” I asked like I honestly thought it was a good idea.

 Standing naked in front of 40 males had to be better than standing naked in front of the entire pack. I could tell he was actually considering what I was saying, so I continued. “If you give those willing to work hard just a taste… I know that would make me work even harder.” I added, trying to not over sell it. 

My father turned around and whispered something to Issac and Koda. “That’s not a bad idea son... finally thinking like an Alpha.” He said before walking toward the front door. I breathed a very small sigh of relief after he went by me. 

I stood off in the corner of the platform with Drake. He was one of my only friends, if I could even call him that. He was so far up my father’s ass it was hard to tell where he ended and my father began half the time. 

Drake had always thought The Commander’s and my father’s idea for the lottery arena was a great idea. He had seemed pretty disappointed when he realized he wouldn’t be seeing any naked shewolves tonight. I’d also caught him complaining to Issac that he wouldn’t automatically be in the arena like I was.

I was still trying to control my anger over what my father had thought was a good idea for the inspection process of the females. 

You’re honestly not surprised, are you? Arctic thought to me. 

Yeah Arctic, I am. I responded quickly. 

Haze, he had us build that arena with a purpose. Our father has slowly been rounding up all the viable females… I gotta say, any f*****g i***t with half a brain would've seen this coming. Arctic told me solemnly.

Well I didn’t. I don't see how the natural or next step would be stripping the shewolves of their clothes and parading them naked in front of the entire pack. I thought back irritated. We don’t even treat them like pack members anymore.

Well at least you were able to talk him out of doing it here at the pack meeting. Things could always be worse for them, I guess. He added softly.    

The entire pack had shown up for the meeting. The group of almost entirely males stood around in smaller groups speculating about the purpose of tonight’s meeting. 

I recognized Ms. Anne coming down the walkway off to the side. She was in front of a single file line of shewolves dressed in bright red dresses. They looked f*****g ridiculous. 

Another one of The Commander’s idea to strip the females of their individual identities. He had told me it was to make them easier to spot in a crowd or if anything went wrong, but I knew better. The more you take away a person’s individual identity, the easier they become to mold.

They were surrounded by armed guards as they climbed up the back steps of the platform one by one. The noise of the crowd had died down as we all watched them get into line. 

I spotted the pretty shewolf that had her picture on the file my father had been reviewing earlier in the day, she was about half way down the line. 

She looked scared as her bright blue eyes started to scan the crowd. I felt an overwhelming urge to protect her and take her fear away.

She must have spotted who she was looking for because her eyebrows shot up. I followed her line of sight and spotted a young guy in the crowd, he was maybe 19 or 20 years old if I had to guess. 

He was attempting to make his way closer to the stage but she shook her head slightly, indicating that he shouldn’t. Was he her boyfriend or something? 

He’s gotta be her brother. He’s got her same black hair and bright blue eyes. Arctic cut into my thoughts. I hadn’t realized I was feeling jealous and territorial until I felt the relief wash over me at Arctic’s words. I looked back at the girl to see her staring directly at me.

SKY

I was frantically searching the crowd for Valerian. Amaris was next to me on the platform but she just stood next to me quietly with a pissed off expression on her face, her “go to” look these days.

I finally spotted Valerian in the crowd. He looked exhausted, with dark bags under his eyes. I guess we haven’t been the only ones not sleeping well. Azul thought to me sadly.

He was attempting to move through the crowd of males, but the closer to the stage he got the more heavily packed it was and guarded as well. I softly shook my head, I didn’t want him getting into any trouble over me. I tried to offer him a weak smile to let him know I was alright.

I’m sure he knows we're not alright, Sky. Our brother has always been able to read us like an open book. Azul added.

Valerian stopped in his tracks when he saw me shaking my head. I quickly scanned the platform to see if anyone had picked up on our little interaction. 

That’s when I saw him. A muscular, handsome male with dirty blonde hair and light blue eyes staring at Valerian. He looked… angry. Who was this guy? I studied him intently, letting my eyes wander over his huge arms and square jawline. He really was quite handsome, but he didn’t look too friendly. It suddenly clicked who he was.

Fuck. That’s The Alpha’s son, isn’t it? I asked Azul, not really needing confirmation from her. Do you think he’ll do or say anything? I added nervously.

For what? You didn’t do anything and neither did Valerian. It’ll be fine, just calm down and breathe. We have bigger things to worry about right now. Azul thought to me.

As if this male could read my mind, his eyes went from Valerian directly to me. But he looked slightly relieved. One of his eyebrows ticked up just a notch when he noticed that I was intently watching him. As if instinctively, he turned his upper chest toward me. For whatever reason I couldn’t break eye contact with him. I had no idea how much time had passed as we just continued to stare at each other. I saw his nostrils slightly flare as if he was trying to pick up my scent. 

Ugh… Sky? Azul whispered inside my mind. I think you should probably look away now. 

I was about to respond to her when The Alpha walked up the front of the platform to address the crowd. 

He went on for some time explaining what the arena was built for; that there would be a lottery system for the single males. I just couldn’t focus on what he was saying. The Alpha’s son and I just continued to stare at each other. 

I was finely pulled from my hypnosis when I heard Amaris clear her throat and actually say out loud, “Say what now?” 

Ms. Anne was already quickly making her way over to my very vocal friend when she went into full outburst mode. 

“You have got to be kidding me? Since when did I go from a respected pack member to a damn prize? This is bullshit, and you’re f*****g with the wrong shewolf if you think I’m allowing any of these males to lay one single paw on me.” She said, looking directly at The Alpha.

The pack had gone quiet. I think they were waiting just as much as I was to see what his reaction would be. The asshole laughed. He actually laughed at her. 

He turned around to address the pack members again, “Those of you who like the idea of a hunt, meet Amaris. She’s one of our more fiery shewolves.” He said, motioning his hand to her. Several of the males in the crowd let out a wolf whistle at her, including one from the platform. I looked over to see the male standing directly next to The Alpha’s son grinning like a f*****g i***t at Amaris. 

I think he’s the future Beta. Azul thought.

I could hear Amaris’ wolf, Annukka, letting out a low growl as Amaris’ lips pulled back. I reached for her hand and gave it a light squeeze.

“I think it’s time for the females to head back to their barracks. Ms. Anne?” The Alpha said, nodding his head just once in her direction. “They’ll need plenty of rest for their first inspection day tomorrow.” He added. 

I glanced back at the man I couldn’t seem to stop staring at, and his face had gone back to looking extremely pissed off at his father’s words. What was our first inspection day, and why did he look so displeased about it? 

I searched the crowd for Valerian one more time as we got off the platform but I couldn’t spot him anywhere? Had he left?

“How could you just stand there as The Alpha said what he said?” Amaris asked me in her usual pissed off voice. 

“What?” I asked her, confused.

“They are going to hunt us, Sky. The males, they’re going to hunt us like we’re f*****g big game and attempt to claim us. Don’t you understand what that means? If you get caught you’ll end up mated to the asshole.” She said as she pushed past me to the front of the line.