Rescued by the Lycan King

Episode 2: THE COMPETITION

That night, I had a hard time falling asleep. My thoughts often returned to the picture of Carter and Maya standing side by side, holding hands.

He would look at me coldly and say, "You're nothing to me, Aria," every time I closed my eyes. I felt empty by the time morning filtered through my window's cracks. I got a numb feeling, as though a piece of me had broken completely.

The competitiveness of the female wolves was suddenly something I had to deal with, which was embarrassing.

There was no time to relax, even if my body was worn out. Aunt Clara stormed into my room, her piercing voice slicing through my ideas.

"Get up. You have to get ready."

I took my time moving. All of the events that had transpired made my limbs feel like lead. I knew there was no alternative, though, as Clara sprinted over and grabbed the blanket off of me while glaring with her frigid eyes.

"Never had one myself," she growled, her voice quiet but venomous. "Do you realize how important today is? You are the family's representative. You dare not make us look foolish."

Embarrass us? As if I wasn't already the shame of the family.

Even though my thoughts were screaming with frustration, I said nothing. It was pointless to dispute with Clara. It never existed. I pushed out of bed, my body writhing in protest with every step. Clara threw me a simple garment; it was grey and boring, more fitting for a prison than anything else. Although it didn't resemble the classy gowns the other females would be donning, I guess that was the idea. I was never supposed to be noticed, just to face ridicule.

"Fix your hair," Clara ordered as she exited the room. "I don’t want you looking like a complete mess."

I looked at my dead-looking reflection in the mirror for a long time. My hair had become matted, and I had dark circles under my eyes. My parents' deaths had changed everything, I realized as I threaded my fingers through the strands. I was content back then. Love, humor, and hope had characterized my life. However, the day they were snatched from me, all of it was gone. I had been struggling to survive ever since Clara's house turned into my jail.

How could I ever have believed that Maya loved me? I forced myself to focus on anything other than the emptiness developing inside of me, asking myself that question while I braided my hair into a neat braid.

My only hope in this awful place had been Maya. I believe she was aware of this. I believed her to be a member of my family and a friend. However, everything had been a lie. I finished getting dressed and walked out of the room with trembling hands.

The house was silent, as it usually is before a big event. While Maya sat at the table looking nice and composed in her flowing dress, Clara was in the kitchen drinking tea. Her lips curled into a smug smile as she glanced at me.

"With a false sweetness in her voice, she wished everyone success on this particular day. 'You are going to need it.'"

The sickness turned my stomach. I did not reply. No, I was unable.

Rather, I trailed behind Clara as she left the house and entered the clearing where the contest was taking place. The expectation was palpable, with the pack's excited chatter permeating the atmosphere.

Different packs of wolves had assembled, with Lycans and Alphas towering over the others with their commanding presence. I avoided looking at anyone and kept my head down.

I could already feel their eyes on me, waiting for me to make a mistake, criticizing, and mocking me. I was not welcome here. I never was. However, I was at a loss for what to do.

We were guided to the edge of the clearing, where the rejected wolves and other Omegas stood, fear on their faces.

Some of the girls were ones I knew; they had been rejected just like me and were being forced to compete as a last-ditch humiliation. I knew this was no place for kindness, yet my heart broke for them. Not at all cozy. Each of us was alone.

It was an easy set of rules: the Alphas and Lycans would parade us before they made their decisions. We felt like inanimate objects to be disassembled and thrown away, which was dehumanizing.

For a few ladies, however, this was their only opportunity to find a mate and break free from the painful reality of being an Omega who has been rejected. As for me? My only wish was for it to end.

How much longer can I stand it? My heart pounded in my chest as the ritual began with the sound of drums. After calling the first female forward, I observed as she approached the center of the clearing with timid steps. The Lycans and Alphas studied her, their eyes cold and analytical.

She was picked out fast, her new companion leading her away with a relieved expression on her face. A female-by-female was brought forward. Everyone is wishing and praying to be selected. Not everyone was fortunate. It was my turn after that.

Every muscle in my body stiffened as my name resounded throughout the clearing. I stepped forward, legs trembling under me, feeling the weight of every eye on me. The Alphas arranged themselves in a queue, examining me as though I were a valuable object.

But then, something strange took place. I sensed a powerful, imposing presence. My eyes went toward the source of the emotion, and there, standing among the Alphas was someone I hadn’t noticed before.

A king of the Lycans. His eyes were intensely scorching as he stared at me. When I became aware that there were other people intently observing me, my breath seized in my throat.

Next to him was his brother, a tall, commanding figure. And an equally powerful Alpha stood next to him. Here were three of the strongest wolves.