Alpha's Daughter: Surviving The Claim

To Keep Hope

“I don’t know why you’re bothering with all of that. This is all just a game to them.”

Catherine grunted, sitting up on the weight bench she was on to wipe sweat from her forehead and glare at Josie. “I don’t know why you’re not. You just plan to let them force you into a mate bond?”

Josie shrugged, flipping through the book in her lap. She was sitting on the small loveseat in the so called ‘gym’ they’d been provided on the bottom floor of the building— her ankles crossed, hair perfectly styled and make up pristine. Her vibrant blue eyes were bored as they flickered up to Catherine and back to her book.

“I don’t see a point in trying to win a game that’s already rigged.” She said nonchalantly.

Catherine’s anger flared as she looked at her roommate. “You’re right, Josie. It is a game to them. But to me— to you— it’s our life. Don’t you want to fight for it at all?”

The book snapped shut, and suddenly she was met with a sneer. “Spare me the inspirational speech, Conri. And hear me when I say this to you,” she paused, fixated her gaze on Catherine. “No one has ever come out of the Claim unmarked, and no one ever will. It doesn’t matter how many sit ups you do or how much combat training you have, you’re not coming out unmarked.”

“And even then,” Josie stood, her anger at the surface. “Let’s say you do make it out of this unmated— what then? You go home to live peacefully for a year until you enter in the Claim again next year? You won’t make it out every year. It’s just putting off the inevitable.”

Angry, Catherine laid back down on the bench, wrapping her fingers around the bar. “Why are you even here, then? If you think what I’m doing is so stupid, why are you even down here?”

“I can’t listen to the twins giggle and babble on about chosen mates all day. At least you have a spine, even if the Goddess didn’t give you common sense.”

Catherine rolled her eyes, returning to her work out. Josie plopped back down on the sofa with a huff.

It had been a week since the first spar, and Catherine hadn’t seen Killian since. In fact, they had barely left their dormitory— only once to get a physical with a local pack’s doctor. Since then, they’d been isolated in the prison-like building, and they’d had no interaction with anyone other than Luna June.

Catherine wasn’t sure what happened to Luna Felicity. The day after the spar, they’d been introduced to Luna June, who was much warmer and almost reminded Catherine of her mother. They hadn’t said a word about Felicity’s departure. They seemed to be acting as if the woman never existed— which was fine by Catherine. She hoped the woman went back to whatever pit of hell she crawled out of.

She knew the silence and isolation wouldn’t last much longer, though. They had five days until the Claim began. Five days until they entered the arena and began a battle for their lives and autonomy— which made Catherine want to laugh bitterly.

They had ‘gear fittings’ this morning— not that the gear they were being given during the Claim was even gear. It was almost laughable when Catherine had pulled the blue shift dress over her head. Thin, breathable cotton, basic undergarments, and no shoes. The only real fitting was the tracker they’d measured to fit her ankle, the small silicone band that would be magically binded and unable to be removed the day the Claim began. It had old magic etched into the band, infused with wolfsbane. It would end any chance she had of shifting. When they tried it on her ankle, Tala had even whined in discomfort, and her voice— while there— was a faint whisper in the back of Catherine’s mind.

Tala was an integral part of Catherine, and feeling her so fuzzy and distant had gutted her. Knowing that for thirty days, Tala would be held a prisoner in the back of her mind— it made her angry.

Then make the right choice, Tala pleaded with her. The goddess doesn’t make mistakes.

He’s a monster, Tala, Catherine hissed to her wolf. You aren’t seeing clearly.

You’ll see, Tala said knowingly. Once we’re in the arena, you’ll see that he’s the right choice.

There is no right choice here.

Tala snarled quietly, retreating in Catherine’s head. Remember, he’s the only one bound by the moon to protect you. The others owe you no such courtesy.

Tala’s words put a wrenching feeling in Catherine’s stomach, and no matter how much she tried to shake it, the feeling wouldn’t go away.