Chapter 18
1184 Words
C18: The Selection
Raine returned from the woods in the late afternoon, a small bundle of herbs clutched in her hand.
The moment she stepped into the mansion grounds, something felt off.
The air was tense and the mansion was quieter than usual.
Her steps slowed as her eyes caught a familiar figure at the entrance.
It was Beta Mascot, but he was not alone.
Two strangers walked beside him, dressed in dark clothing.
Their presence was heavy, unsettling. The warriors around them stood stiff, their heads slightly lowered.
Raine’s brows furrowed as she watched them.
She stepped aside instinctively, lowering her gaze as they passed and headed to the other side of the mansion.
‘They are guests?’ she thought inwardly.
As they walked past her she noticed the black wax seal on the scroll in the male’s hand.
Her heart skipped, ‘Lycan messengers!’ she said loudly in her mind.
She had heard of them, everyone had.
Raine froze for a second and quietly made her way inside, her thoughts unsettled.
Inside her room, she placed the herbs on the small table and sat on the edge of her bed.
Her fingers tightened slightly as her chest felt heavy, something was wrong.
She could feel it.
The warrior's grim look and the way the servants whispered.
She could feel the air itself felt heavier.
She exhaled slowly and lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
“Maybe I’m overthinking,” she muttered.
But deep down, she knew she wasn’t, just like ten years ago.
A knock came at her door some time later.
Raine sat up.
“Come in,” she said.
A servant stepped in and bowed slightly.
“Mistress, the Alpha and Luna request your presence in the study room.”
Raine’s expression did not change, but her stomach twisted.
“I’ll be there shortly,” she replied calmly, ignoring the unsettling feeling she was having at the moment.
The servant nodded and left.
Raine stood still for a moment before moving.
She adjusted her dress and stepped out of her room.
The walk to the study felt longer than usual.
When she got there, she knocked once.
“Come in,” Alpha Elmore’s voice came from inside.
She pushed the door open and stepped in.
Her parents were already there waiting.
Luna Indira stood by the window, while Alpha Elmore sat behind his desk.
Neither of them looked surprised to see her.
Raine walked further in and stopped.
“You called for me,” she said calmly.
Alpha Elmore looked at her for a moment before speaking.
“There is something you need to know.”
Raine waited.
“The Lycan Palace has sent a decree,” he continued.
Her heart dropped slightly, but her face remained composed.
“All unmarked females of noble blood are to be presented for selection.”He dropped the bombshell, silence filled the room.
Raine’s fingers curled slightly at her sides.
“And?” she asked.
Luna Indira turned to face her.
“You will be going.” Her voice was calm like it was already decided.
It was.
The words settled heavily in the air.
Raine did not respond immediately.
She just stood there silent for a moment before she finally spoke.
“Why?” she finally asked.
Her voice was calm, but there was something beneath it, something restrained.
Her emotions, her disappointment.
Alpha Elmore leaned back slightly.
“It is the Alpha’s duty to protect the pack,” he said curtly.
“And what does that have to do with me?” Raine asked, her eyes lifting to meet his.
Luna Indira scoffed.
“Everything.”
Raine’s brows furrowed slightly.
“You are unmarked,” Luna Indira continued. “You are eligible. That is enough.”
Raine let out a quiet breath.
“So you’re willing to send me there just like that?”
Alpha Elmore’s expression hardened slightly.
“You speak as if this is new.”
Raine’s lips pressed together.
“Ten years ago,” Luna Indira began, her tone colder now, “the Alpha’s sister stepped forward.”
Raine’s eyes flickered.
“She went willingly,” Alpha Elmore added. “She chose to protect this pack and you.”
Silence followed.
Raine was still nine when she heard of the selection, failure to comply can lead to a pack's doom.
She was scared and her aunty who was the only one that cared for her willingly accepted to join in order to protect the pack and protect from the wrath of the Lycan palace.
“And you think I should do the same?” Raine asked, there was no one worth her sacrifice.
Luna Indira stepped closer.
“You should be grateful to have such an opportunity.”
Raine blinked slowly.
“Grateful?”
“Yes,” Luna Indira snapped. “You have done nothing for this family. Nothing for this pack and for your Aunt. Now you finally have a chance to be useful.”
The words hit hard but Raine didn’t react.
Not outwardly.
“You are alive because of this pack and the girls who left for the selection,” Alpha Elmore added. “The least you can do is repay that.”
Raine let out a soft breath, her chest felt tight for some minutes as she watched her parents, they didn't think twice while making this decision.
To them she was worthless and needed to be disposed of at any given opportunity.
“what if I refuse?” she asked quietly.
The room fell silent.
Alpha Elmore’s gaze turned cold.
“You won’t dare to”
Raine stared at them for a long while.
Then she smiled, slightly sad.
It was small, barely there but it was enough for them to notice, they paused.
“Fine, I’ll go.” she said smoothly, her hands tightened but she remained calm.
Luna Indira frowned slightly, as if expecting resistance, while Alpha Elmore studied her.
Raine lowered her gaze,
“I’ll go for the selection.” she repeated fully, silence filled the room again.
But this time, it was different.
Because Raine’s reason was not what they thought.
She wasn’t doing it for the pack nor was she doing it for them.
She was doing it for herself.
To leave, to finally be free from them.
To go somewhere far away where their voices, their hatred, and their expectations could no longer reach her.
Even though it meant going to the monster's lair.
“Good,” Alpha Elmore said after a moment. “Prepare yourself. You will leave once the other female is chosen.”
Raine simply nodded.
She turned without another word and walked out of the study.
Once she stepped into the hallway, her steps did not falter.
Her expression remained calm, her thoughts were clear.
This was her way out, even though she was taking the hard way out, she would not look back.
It was better to face the danger out there than to be scorned by her family and pack, having everything she desired taken away from her.
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