THE ALPHA KING'S AND LOST PRINCESS

AMELIA I watched the long dress my mother had made for me. It was a magnificent piece, with soft fabric and delicate lace adorning the voluminous skirt. The dress was a reflection of her love and dedication, but for me, it was a distressing reminder of the impending event. I saw myself reflected in the mirror, my brown eyes meeting my own image. The dim light from the oil lamp cast soft shadows across the room, lending a melancholic touch to the atmosphere. I swallowed hard as tears began to blur my vision. It was night, with darkness enveloping the exterior of the modest cottage where my mother and I lived. The ball at the castle, where the Alpha King would choose his future wife from twelve young women, was scheduled for dawn. It was an ancient tradition, one I wished I could defy. I turned to my mother, whose eyes reflected a mixture of sadness and determination. "I can't do this, mom.", I murmured, my voice trembling with emotion. "I don't want to be one of the king's chosen ones." My mother approached, enveloping me in a comforting embrace. "I know, dear.", she said softly. "But it's the law. You know that. We don't live in a free world; we have to abide by their rules. I went through this myself; I attended the ball, and nothing happened to me." I sobbed, feeling powerless against the oppressive expectations surrounding me. "But why do I have to participate? Why do I have to submit to this?" My mother stepped back slightly, holding my shoulders with gentle firmness. "Because it's what's expected of us. We are part of this kingdom, subject to its laws and traditions. We can't change that, but we can face it together." I wiped away tears, struggling to find any measure of courage within me. I knew my mother was right, but it didn't make the situation any easier to accept. "I just... I don't want to marry a stranger.", I admitted in a low voice. "I want to choose my own destiny." My mother smiled sadly. "I know, dear. I wished for that too when I was young. But sometimes, our desires are sacrificed for the greater good." I looked at the dress once more, feeling a lump form in my throat. I knew I couldn't escape my fate, but that didn't stop me from fervently wishing for a way out. "What should I do?", I asked, seeking guidance in my mother's eyes. She held my hands tenderly. "You will wear this dress with dignity and grace. You will face the wolf king with your head held high and pray that he doesn't choose you. You will find strength within yourself that you didn't know you had, and you will get through this." I nodded, my determination strengthening. I knew I couldn't change the circumstances, but I could control how I faced them. "I will do it.", I said, my voice firm. "I will face my destiny with courage." My mother smiled, pride shining in her eyes. "That's right, my dear. You are stronger than you imagine." I knew what happened to all the girls the king chose to marry; somehow unknown and very strange, all of them were killed in the end. The tradition of choosing a girl to marry was so that the king could choose his queen, but I realized that none of the girls chosen by him before satisfied him. With one last hug, we parted. I looked at the dress one last time, feeling a mix of resignation and determination growing within me. The sun barely peeked on the horizon when I found myself before the great gate of the castle, flanked by imposing vampire guards. My steps were hesitant, echoing on the stone floor as I advanced toward what awaited me. The world around me seemed distant, as if I were entering a dark and supernatural tale, where mystical creatures held a power beyond human understanding. I felt like prey about to be delivered to the will of a dominant king. My heart pounded in my chest, and my mind was clouded with anxiety. The red dress my mother had meticulously crafted seemed to weigh on my shoulders, its vibrant color contrasting with the darkness that enveloped me. I could hardly remember the last time I closed my eyes to sleep. The thought of submitting to the will of a stranger had robbed me of sleep, leaving me immersed in a whirlwind of thoughts and conflicting emotions. But despite the overwhelming fear, I knew I needed to find courage within me. As I entered the castle gates, a feeling of awe and opulence enveloped me. Every detail was a testament to the power and wealth of the beings who dwelled there. Murals adorned the walls, depicting battles and conquests. Chandeliers sparkled on the high ceilings, reflecting the sunlight streaming through the windows. I watched everything with wide eyes, trying to hold steady despite the trembling in my hands. The guards silently guided me through the labyrinthine corridors of the castle, leading me to the grand hall where the fate of the twelve young women would be sealed. When we reached the main hall, a tightness gripped my chest at the sight of the other eleven girls already present. Each wore a dress of a different color, forming a rainbow of fabrics and colors that contrasted with the gloomy grandeur of the castle. I joined the group, feeling small and insignificant in the crowd of young women awaiting the start of the ball. Our gazes met for a brief moment, sharing a mixture of apprehension and solidarity. We knew we were in this together, regardless of the final outcome. I fervently wished that we could all escape this imposed fate, find a way to defy expectations, and forge our own paths. However, these thoughts were fleeting illusions, lost in the bleak reality that surrounded us. As we waited for the ball to begin, I tried to ignore the whispering voices of doubt echoing in my mind. I clung to the hope that somehow everything would end well. I knew that the challenge I faced was colossal, but I also knew that within me was a strength capable of overcoming any obstacle. And with that certainty, I prepared to face whatever destiny held for me that night. As time dragged on, my anxiety grew like a voracious flame within me. Every second felt like an eternity, and the silence in the main hall was deafening. I could feel my heart hammering in my chest, the sound echoing in my ears like a distant drum. As we waited, I observed the other girls around me. Their faces displayed a mixture of fear and anticipation, mirroring my own emotions. We were all pawns in this cruel game, at the mercy of the will of a king we barely knew. The hall was imbued with a palpable tension, as if the very air were electrified by the imminence of the event. I felt as if I were on the edge of a precipice, about to plunge into an uncertain destiny. "Beautiful dress.", a voice said, and I turned to see a girl with blonde hair wearing a green dress. "My mother made it for me; thank you." "You seem very nervous, and from the look on your face, I can see you want to run away from this castle. My name is Anna.", she said with a smile, and I nodded. "Actually, I am very scared. I am Amelia." "Don't feel so bad; we're all scared, Amelia. But only one of us will be chosen, and then everything will go back to normal."