The Offering

Snow Moon's Chosen

For the next six years Arrow Winsdor lived in hell. She gladly took her daily whippings, for it meant that her father was still safe.

Her back was tattered with many scars but she could care less. She would do anything for her fathers safety.

Arrow spent her days staring out the window. Missing the days she would run in wolf form. Feel the breeze through her fur.

She could not help but wonder if this was it for her. Was this her life for the rest she could bare or was there something more.

The silver chains quit burning after the first two years. She became accustomed to the pain. Just more scars to add to the list.

She expected the usual low-life guard David assigned to come give her the daily ten whips of silver. Each passing moment he didn’t show confused Arrow.

Maybe there were other pertinent issues they had to deal with. Probably be there later, she thought to herself.

In the Snow Moon Pack house everyone was freaking out, chaos up roaring. Earlier that day the Alpha received the official letter from the Royal palace.

He sent out a mind link, ‘I have received a letter from the Kingdom. The offering will be taking place in a few short days. The servant is gathering the names of the eligible she-wolfs. I will announce our packs chosen at noon today in the courtyard. Do not be late or you will be punished.’

The same night he rejected and betrayed Arrow his destined mate, he took her best friend Sarah Plum as his chosen mate.

The Goddess was disgusted by these actions and did not approve. When they tried to mate and mark each other she would not accept the union.

The mark could and would never become permanent. He would have to do the temporary mark every night on Sarah. He would never even let her try to mark him.

The Servant entered the Alpha and Luna chambers with a wooden bowl that held all the eligible names from their pack.

Sarah happily grabbed a name from the bowl. When she read the name on the small piece of paper her body went numb.

She fell to her knees in front of David, weeping and heartbroken. Her name was the name on the paper she drew.

David grew furious grabbing the servant by the neck. “Why was her name even put in the bowl?” He growled at the servant.

The Servant had his mind link left open for all to hear, “Anyone over eighteen and not officially marked and mated are eligible Alpha.” The young man shakily said as David squeezed tightly.

In one swift motion David snapped the man’s neck letting him fall lifeless to the ground.

David was outraged and the cries from his chosen mate was aggravating him more and more.

“I got this taken care of. Go clean yourself up and act like a Luna Sarah.” He shouted at her in his aggravation.

“Winston, call our friend and explain that plans have changed. We will need her sooner than I thought.” He told his trusted Beta.

David and Sarah proceeded to the courtyard where the pack was chattering amongst each other in fear. David knew the servant left the link open to them for them to hear but fear is what he lives on.

“My chosen mate will not be our offering to the King. She is my mate destined or not. She is your Luna and you all will do best to remember that. Going in her place will be Arrow Winsdor.” The Alpha shouted to the pack who was silenced in shock.

“No one is to speak of this matter again.” David threatened them knowing the love they still had for their rightful Alpha.

The Alpha command caused them all to submit and remain silent on the subject at hand.

“Guard collect Arrow and take her to her old room.” He announced it to the guard and the guard followed.

Arrow was confused when the guard pulled her from her cell and begin to escort her out of the cells. She began wondering if this is the day her life is ended.

She saw the look in the packs eyes as they watched her being dragged to the pack house. Their eyes held pity, sadness, and exhaustion. This was not the pack Arrow remembered.

She wore the same dress from six years ago. No longer white but a dirty brown, tattered with small holes, and the back ripped and coated with her blood from the silver whip.

The guard took her to her old room. He escorted her inside and she moved as a lifeless robot. She figured what was coming and was already emotionally disconnected. Not the first time, she thought to herself.

“Shower and change. You have twenty minutes.” The guard ordered her.

Arrow did not have the energy to question the demands of the guard. In fact she would happily take the first shower she has been able to in six years.

The foreign hot water instantly soothed her muscles. Sharp pain ached the open wounds on her back. She watched as the water flowing off her was a dirty brown mixed with red from the dried blood off her aching body.

She lathered her body in soap, more than once, hoping to get the rotten smell of the cells of her. She washed her hair thoroughly and body until the water once again ran clear.

She saw the razor on the edge of the tub and hesitated. She took the razor and begin shaving her legs and underarms. If she was going to die then she wanted to die looking her best for when she sees her mother again.

She did not want the shower to end but from the loud banging on the door she knew she must comply.

She turned off the water and wrapped herself in a towel as she exited the shower. She saw one of her old outfits on the counter and wondered if they would even still fit.

She dried off and dressed. She looked at herself in the mirror and was appalled by the reflection. Her eyes were dull and covered by dark circles. Her lips were extremely chapped and no longer the bright pink they used to be.

Her breasts were still full and large but her stomach was not as it once was. She used to be fit and curvy now she was a shell of her former self.

“Hurry up.” The guard shouted snapping Arrow out of her trance.

She quickly finished putting on the long sleeve shirt and leggings. She exited the bathroom to see the guard who brought her here and a doctor.

She remembered the old man. He was kind and caring. He was the one who assisted bringing her into the world.

“Here take this with food, it will help your wounds heal faster.” He told her as she saw sadness in his eyes.

The doctor left as an omega brought in a tray of food. The smell of cooked meat lingered in the air and Arrows stomach growled on instinct.

The guard motioned with his head that the plate of food was hers. She was not going to hesitate. She sat and quickly scarfed down the food until her stomach couldn’t bare anymore. She took the pills as the doctor ordered and slammed down two glasses of water.

The door opened again and her brief moment of happiness left her as quickly as it came. She wanted nothing more than to rip that mans heart out but knew if she failed the pack would suffer.

“Hello Arrow.” David spoke as if nothing ever happened between them.

“Before we get started I have a surprise for you.” He told her.

The door opened again and Sarah walked through. Her heart swelled in happiness at the sight of her best friend. That happiness yet again was taken from her.

“No respect. Bow to your Luna Arrow.” David bellowed and heart shattered.

“I said Bow.” He ordered.

The silver has weakened her wolf over the last six years and she could not fight the command David spewed at her.

“Due to the ignorance of the servant my chosen mate was drawn for the offering.” David began.

Arrow remembered the history lessons her mother gave her on the offering.

“You see I could send someone else but that would f**k everything I worked so hard for up. You will be sent in her place.” David continued and Arrow was in complete confusion.

“You are to fail at the trails Arrow. You will be returned to me and back to the cells you go. You will never tell the King of what has transpired here. If you do, I will slowly torture and kill each member of this pack. Starting with the children.” David commanded.

Arrows hatred for the man grew even more though she thought that couldn’t be possible.

“Make it believable Arrow, do not let them know anything.” He warned her.

“Now pack a bag, you leave in fifteen minutes. See you soon Arrow.” David told her as he and Sarah made their exit.

Arrow knew she had to do something to stop him. Figure something out. The pack was innocent and did not deserve this treatment. She needed to think of something.

She quickly packed a bag full of long sleeve tops and other necessities. She knew she would have to hide the scars on her body to not raise any red flags.

She threw an old photo in the bag and waited. She did not want to remain there any longer than she must.

The guard then entered the room once again, “It is time.”