Chapter 19
1442 Words
C19: The Selection II
Raine returned to her room quietly, she walked past Raphael’s room and slowly looked away, her mood heavy.
As an heir to the Alpha it was mandatory to live in the alpha's mansion.
Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it for a moment, her eyes fixed on nothing in particular.
Her decision had been made,
But she still didn’t know what awaited her once she stepped into the Lycan's Palace.
She pushed herself off the door and walked further into the room. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she placed her hands on her lap.
Her expression remained calm, but her mind was not in any way.
Thoughts about the Lycan Palace and the selected females kept running through her head.
The stories of the females that were lucky to return were fearful,
Actually, none had returned since the last two selections, so rumors from other packs spread about how frightened their females were and how some refused to speak or bond.
Raine exhaled slowly, palming her face.
“Whatever it is… I’ll face it,” she muttered under her breath.
The next morning, the entire pack was gathered.
The courtyard was filled with people, nobles standing at the front while others stood behind them.
The atmosphere was tense, no one spoke loudly, soft whispers filled the air.
At the raised platform stood Alpha Elmore, Luna Indira, and the three Elders.
Beside them stood the Lycan messengers, their expressions indifferent as they watched the crowd.
Alpha Elmore stepped forward, his eyes sweeping across the crowd before him.
“As it had always been, the Lycan Palace has issued a decree” he began.
Murmurs spread across the crowd.
“All unmarked females of noble blood are to be presented for selection.”
He observed them with narrowed eyes then continued.
“My daughter Raine has volunteered to go to the Lycan palace, all we need is one more female, now I ask my beloved pack, who amongst you all would be willing to join in the selection”
Silence reigned in their midst, no one stepped forward.Not a single person.
Fear was clear on their faces, no one wanted to end badly.
Alpha Elmore’s gaze hardened slightly.
“Since no one is willing,” he continued, “we will proceed with selection.”
A tray was brought forward by a servant, on it were folded sheets of parchment.
“Each eligible female will pick one,” an elder announced. “Only one bears the Lycan seal.”
A ripple of unease moved through the crowd.
One by one, the girls stepped forward, their palms sweaty as they approached the tray.
Raine watched them from the side, how each and every one of them prayed to the moon goddess just like she did four years ago.
She knew out of them all would be an unlucky one, just like her.
The only difference was that she had already accepted her fate.
After everyone had chosen, they were asked to open the folded sheets they held.
Each girl unfolded her parchment slowly.
Empty.
Empty.
Empty.
Relief spread across the girls who had opened theirs as they thanked the goddess internally .
Then a sharp gasp was heard all attention fell to where it came from, It was Maya.
She stood frozen, her hands shaking as she stared at the parchment in her grip.
The Lycan seal was clearly imprinted on it.
“No…” she whispered, her voice trembling.
One of the elders stepped forward immediately.
“It has been decided,” She declared.
Maya shook her head, stepping back.
“No… no, this is wrong… this has to be wrong,” she said, panic rising in her voice.
She turned to her father.
“Father… please…”,Elder Linc stood still.
His face was tight, hands clenched at his sides.
“Please… don’t let them take me,” Maya begged, her voice breaking.
But he said nothing as he stared at his beloved daughter painfully, he could not change it.
The whole pack was present and most importantly the messengers,
Maya tried to reach her father but was held back by two warriors, she kept struggling but it was futile.
Tears streamed down her face as she realized no one would save her.
The female messenger stepped forward.
“You will prepare,” she said coldly. “Departure is in two days.”
The crowd fell silent, Maya sniffed as she stopped struggling, her tears still flowing freely, the warriors left her and she stepped back, running into her mother's arms wailing.
Raine stood still, watching everything.
How Maya's mother held her daughter tightly crying and unwilling to let go.
Her eyes moved to her own mother, Luna Indira stood there calmly, why her father was a bit moody but it was never because of her leaving but for others.
Her heart clenched for a moment, she glanced at Raphael whose eyes met hers before she could look away.
She saw the anger in them, and she looked away,
Two days.That was all she had left in this place.
Later that day, Raine sat in her room quietly, packing her few belongings.
Her movements were slow and deliberate.
She did not rush as she picked each and everyone of them.
There was nothing tying her down anymore.
The door creaked open without a knock.
Raine didn’t turn, she already knew who it was.
“You’re packing already?” Alice asked, her voice light with amusement.
Raine said nothing and continued folding her clothes.
Alice stepped further in.
“You should be excited,” she continued. “You’re finally leaving.”
Still, no response.
Alice clicked her tongue and moved closer.
“You know,” she said, her tone shifting slightly, “you looked quite pathetic earlier.”
Raine’s hands paused briefly before continuing.
“Standing there like you had no choice when father declared to the pack that you are among the selected ones,” Alice added with a grin.
She stepped closer, enough for Raine to notice her clearly.
Her hand was wrapped around Raphael’s arm earlier.
The memory flashed briefly in Raine’s mind.
Alice tilted her head slightly, brushing her hair aside.
“Can you see these?” she asked.
Raine looked up reluctantly tired of her behavior,
she didn’t need to look closely.
The marks on her neck were obvious.
Alice smiled.“He seems to like me a lot, I can't even hide the love bites well” she said softly, her fingers brushing over them.
“Unlike someone,” Alice added with a small laugh.
Raine simply shook her head and continued what she was doing,Alice’s smile faded slightly.
She had expected a satisfactory reaction.
Anger, pain, anything.
But Raine gave her nothing.
“You’re really going to die there, you know,” Alice said, her tone turning colder. “Those who go there don’t come back. And if they do… they’re barely alive.”
Raine continued packing, ignoring her
“It suits you though,” Alice added. “A miserable ending.”
Still nothing.
Alice frowned, then scoffed.
“Enjoy your last days,” she said before turning and walking out, she shut the door with a loud bang, clearly frustrated.
Raine stopped moving, the image of Alice's love bites flashing black, her heart twisted painfully.
Even though she didn't react, a part of her still felt the pain.
After a while she cleared her mind and continued packing.
That night, Raine lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
she tossed on her sides, her thoughts loud in her head, till she slowly slept off but she found herself somewhere else.
A massive magnificent building stood before her, painted in black and gold.
its presence was overwhelming.
Raine’s eyes widened slightly in awe as she stepped forward, then everything shifted.
She was in the garden again, it was dense like it had always been, Misty and thrilling.
She stood still, she was back again, “R…ai…ne…”
The voice came again, Hoarse, pained.
Her body stiffened the figure stood there.
Its back facing her just like before, then it vanished.
“Mi..ne” she heard it purr closer, her brows furrowed in confusion as the figure suddenly stood behind her.
His aura insanely powerful but instead of harming her it spreads warmth through her body.
Her heart beat raced as she felt the figure's arms snake around her waist pulling her in, sniffing her.
Raine’s cheeks heated up as a sharp rush of adrenaline ran through her.
“W…who are you?” she asked, her voice shaky and soft.
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