Next phase
1240 Words
All my life, I’ve been a runt, a virgin with no wings to fly. I’ve always wondered what it’s like, giving myself to someone.” - Enoma Pearl
…
The next day we were taken to an arena. An open field, and on the ground was sawdust. Across, was a huge forest with mists in the air.
I noticed the sun barely came out; the cloud was navy blue with silver linings. The girls were grouped according to their room.
Marina was far off with Angela. They glanced at us, nodding. I returned it and Destiny did the same.
“We have to pick our weapons,” Destiny said, nodding to the weapons arena.
“Let’s go,” I nodded watching as she walked with me to get it.
“If it isn’t the cheat herself,” Madeline said. Her face held a scowl and a confronting expression.
“She stoops low for high ranks, now doesn’t she?” Samantha supported. “I wonder how she attracted the Lycan King,”
“I even heard he’s her Master,” Madeline added.
“What are you even bluffing about?” Destiny let out, in my defence. Now I was sure, she didn’t see anything last night.
“Ask your friend, here. She likes taking what’s ours,” Samantha uttered, with a frown.
“You’re clearly insane, because Enoma has found her Master and he’s not even the King,” Destiny said. “Even if he was, there is no way he’s yours because he chose her,”
Her words were weirdly comforting. But it didn’t mean I could tell Destiny things in the heat of the moment, so, I decided to play along.
“And to be honest, we don’t have time for this,” I said, with a smile and knowing expression.
“B-But we clearly saw you-“ Madeline and Samantha said in synch but Destiny wasn’t having it.
“Out of our ways, please,” Destiny added firmly, moving them out of the way.
I looked back only to see an alarmed expression on each girl’s face. Destiny swayed her waist, walking to the weapons arena and I did the same.
“How did you do that?” I asked, laughing at what just happened. It was surprisingly soothing. She just put them in their place.
“My Beta blood surely has its perks,” Destiny uttered, reminding me of her powerful blood. Too bad I was a lowborn, without a wolf. Father was definitely right to run off.
Dismissing those thoughts, my eyes wandered to the front.
There were lines of weapons, swords and daggers, disengaged firearms, and some bows and arrows set. Quickly, Destiny moved to take two daggers placing them at her sides.
I moved to the bow and arrows arena, positioning the arrow at my back inspecting its razor-sharp edges. With thoughts that the firearms might come in handy, I took some parts placing them in the pants I wore planning to put them together later.
“I wonder why they’re making us pick weapons,” Destiny said to me.
“Same. In my guess, we’re probably hunting something,” I answered, straightening my brown blouse just enough to cover the firearms outlines.
“Question is what?” Destiny asked.
“Monsters, perhaps?” I guessed with my gaze curious.
“Didn’t know you could shoot,” Destiny said, eyeing my set.
“I only hunt to eat,” I defended, once more.
I didn’t tell her I’ve never missed a kill. Over time, and with desperation, I forced myself to learn the angles.
So that mom doesn’t starve. So that Elena eats. That after working her underpaid shifts; I hunted so she came back to something.
“You’re full of surprises,” Destiny mouthed off and very soon the entire field was crowded with the hierarchy and citizens.
King Daxon smiled at me, gesturing that I didn’t forget our deal. His scent was faint, but if you smelled deeply you could get a trail.
It made me lightheaded but I ignored it, getting a grip of myself. I nodded back at him. I didn’t expect what came next; he blew a kiss with a smirk. I narrowed my eyes, with folded arms visualizing the kiss actually coming, stomping the floor.
He gave a heartbroken sigh, with his hands on his chest. I tore my eyes from him, seeing this as a way of him mocking my helplessness.
I was scared, and he was making a jest out of it. I could die. Lady Peach walked to the stage, bringing me out of my thoughts. I looked at the Lycan King but he wasn’t staring at me anymore.
His expression became stern making me stare back at Lady Peach, who caressed the microphone stylishly.
I noticed she was clothed in the same color peach. This was a different gown though with a different design, accentuating her curves with an asymmetrical bodice.
Her assistants were a few inches from her on the stage too. Their attires were the same, but it had some stones which highlighted its beauty.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Lady Peach said. KOTA welcomes you to this year’s edition of the Mating Games,” she added with a smile and claps emanated from the crowd.
Gradually, they stopped and the Blues guided us to put ourselves together. We were no longer in groups, and Marina made her way to us first with Angela.
“To remind ourselves, the Games arose as a result of the plague that took most of KOTA’s women. To save KOTA’s lineage, a pact was made with other packs whose grounds were threatened by rogues,” Lady Peach said.
“The deal was, we save them and they help us prolong KOTA lineage,” Another set of claps came in.
Seeing this as a chance, I whispered to Marina asking about her wellbeing. She nodded firmly, saying she was okay.
Destiny did the same with her sister Angela, who nodded without a word. Now I was sure, she was certainly mute.
“But not just anyone mates a Lycan, do they?” Lady Peach said, and affirming head shakes arose from them. “We need female wolves, strong enough to carry the Lycans gene.”
Supporting hums came in, and a man stepped forward to where Daxon.
“Permission to start the Games, my King!!” He bowed down with a purple flag that sat on the gold platter.
Daxon raised the flag waving it. “Let the Games begin!!”
More cheers came in, and a group of women in white commenced singing with drums.
“We wait, we wait to see,
the winners of the Games.
We ask, that the Moon Goddess,
cover us with blessings. We ask,
that each girl be braced, with a willing spirit,
and kindness. May they be fierce and brave,
as our previous Lunas. May we get a Luna
Queen in this year’s edition. We hope, that
no girl is eliminated again,”
They repeated it once more, dancing round the field, before going off stage.
At first, I thought I heard wrong, but when they repeated the last part, my heart began to pound.
I looked around, and the girls held nervous expressions too.
I knew it. Everything looked too good to be true. There were instances in the Games where our lives were threatened.
The question was, when?
- Writer
