Lottery Arena: Escaping my Mate

Starting day

AMARIS

The week had passed quickly, far too quickly for me to teach Marie everything she needed to learn. But I had to have confidence in her, she’d been given far more information then I had in my first lottery arena.

I taught her how I managed to collect the urine out of the guard’s urinal, for her next two years. I showed her some basic techniques on how to evade the males in case we were to be separated.

I had to pray that it was enough. She’s gonna be fine. You look out for her and I’ll look after Sakari. They can do this, have faith. Annukka thought to me.

My stomach was turning, it was difficult to eat anything at breakfast, but I knew I needed the nourishment. As much as I didn’t want it to, my mind kept drifting back to Valerian. Was he really going to try to capture me? I felt nervous and excited all in one at the idea of playing a little cat and mouse with him.

I couldn’t help but think though, what did that mean? Why was I excited at the aspect of evading him?

Is somebody having second thoughts? Annukka cut in again.

No, I know what I want. I want my freedom, and I’ll be damned if I let anything stand in my way. I just can’t help but think if I would feel differently if our world wasn’t, well… what it is. I thought back sadly.

If we’d met under different circumstances, if I’d been allowed to make my own choices, then who knows what I would want. But my mind was made up, I was no one's prize, not even my fated mates.

After breakfast we all returned to our barracks

to collect our standard issued bags with supplies. Every girl that was participating had their few belongings packed and ready for pick up once they emerged from the arena with a mate.

I looked around the barrack I’d reluctantly called home for the past several years of my life.

I knew that no matter what happened in that arena, I wouldn’t be coming back here ever again; it was a small comfort.

Marie scooped up our bags and walked over to me. I’d hidden a few supplies in our boots the night before so we could just slip them on in the morning without being noticed by anyone.

Ms. Anne entered our barrack to give her little speech and well wishes, I rolled my eyes and we were instructed to line up.

There were five of us total from my unit. Marie and I, Maya and Cali and one other shewolf, Sara.

I could hear Maya and Cali gossiping away about who their mates would end up being. Maya bumped into me on purpose, “Drake is mine. You stay the hell away from him.” She said scooping up one of the bags.

“You do know that they are suppose to capture you and not the other way around right?” I asked, my voice dripping with disdain.

Marie laughed before slapping her hand over her mouth, causing Maya and Cali to shoot daggers in her direction.

“You think that’s funny pipsqueak? I doubt anyone would want you.” Maya sneered at her.

“Watch yourself.” I told her, taking a step forward as Annukka growled in my head.

“Girls. That’s enough, be on your best behavior in there, male’s aren’t attracted to caddy shewolves.” She said, interrupting us.

“I couldn’t give a f**k what the males are attracted to.” I piped up, making Cali and Maya’s mouths pop open.

“Be careful girls, you’ll attract flies like that.” I said, smirking at a smiling Marie.

Ms. Anne chose to ignore my little outburst before going into her little talk about the sacredness of bonding and reminding us where stationed supplies and food would be available.

We joined the other 10 shewolves outside before marching off to our fates. I gave Marie’s hand a light squeeze as we reached the arena.

Our large pack was allowed to gather and watch as we and the males were released, before the Alpha personally locked us inside.

I saw a shewolf I had known in the first arena standing off to the side with her mate, Haze. He was the future Alpha of our pack.

Sky locked eyes with me immediately and smiled a soft smile before dropping her gaze back down. Haze looked me up and down before pulling Sky off in the direction toward his father.

That was strange, it felt like he was inspecting us. Annukka thought to me.

Yeah, that was odd. Maybe he just wanted to see what Sky was looking at? I offered, not sure what to make of it.

I didn’t have time to maul it over right now anyway.

We’d reached the starting point. All the males were in wolf form, lined in their cages. I inhaled deeply, letting my eyes wander down the row of cages looking for him.

Ms. Anne paraded our line directly in front of the caged males, as was becoming tradition. Some males snapped or growled out as we passed.

I spotted Drake’s familiar large shaggy brown wolf as we walked by, he took a deep inhale to catch my scent. Looks like I was gonna have my hands full with him again. We walked further down and I smelled Valerian before I could see him.

I reached a massive black wolf with piercing blue eyes, it was Valerian. He inhaled softly before letting out a soft whine making me almost stop in my tracks. I locked eyes with him before continuing on our way, the pull of our mate bond making it difficult to continue.

Marie was practically on top of me; she was so close. I knew she was scared, I couldn’t blame her. Walking the row of males had always been intimidating.

They lined us up about 10 yards ahead of the wolves. The Alpha was flanked by his beta, Ms. Anne and the Commander. He stepped forward to speak to the pack, “Our way of life has had to change with our rapidly changing world. While some may have a difficult time accepting this change; it’s been necessary to ensure our survival. The 40 males present have either done extraordinary things for our pack or have been lucky enough to have been drawn at random from the lottery. Let them be an example to you of what hard work can bring.” He said, eyeing the large crowd.

“Are you ready to begin?” He asked the Commander.

“Yes Alpha.” He said walking forward. “Remember once we lock the gates, anything goes for the seven days you’re all in here. The she wolves will have their standard one hour lead. Good luck, you’ll need it.” He said before firing a shot into the air.

Marie looked at me with terror in her eyes before I grabbed her hand and bolted into the woods.