Ingrid left as soon as I gave my answer. I didn't know what she was up to, and how she was going to pull this off, but the prospect of leaving here, chosen, brought a smile to my face.
Yes, once the fog passed a little I remembered her name.I was a little anxious, but I couldn't wait to hear my name being called by the scary Beta. For the first time in six years, I looked forward to hearing his gruff voice.Was I too optimistic? Should I leave room for disappointment Incase Igrid couldn't pull this off? I really wanted to, but for some reason I knew she would pull through for me, and was going to do as she promised.Yeah, I was a little naive but I didn't care. This is the best hope I ever got. Once suitors heard 'cursed girl' they looked the other way, but this Igrid girl and whoever she was working for, didn't care.Which was the cause for the hope that rose in me.After our talk, I finally relaxed and sat back down not minding the whispers anymore. Fuck them right? Imagine how they're going to be astonished when my name is being called?Now, I was more excited thinking about the shock on everyone's faces, especially my father's. I was wondering one thing though.How was Ingrid going to pull this off? How was she going to make sure I was chosen today? What happens when the person changes their mind upon seeing me? Are they here?Now, I was nervous again and I hope whatever she was planning on that young mind of hers works out for both of us. I was so desperate at this point, I was willing to take anybody who asked, which should have been my first red flag. Everyone knew this, and would use it to their advantage but for some reason even at that thought being chosen was the only thing I wanted.Damn the consequences right?I was a smart girl, I could easily adjust to any situation. Yep, I was going to stay optimistic tonight."Five minutes to the selection. Whoever didn't choose yet, please do so at this moment. If you like her, choose her right?" The voice said.It was a pre-recorded announcement that said the same joke each year, but before I could panic like each year. Throwing away the optimistic facade I was trying to portray, Ingrid came past the double wooden doors in a rush to my table.Shit, this didn't look good at all."What is it?" I asked before she even reached the table, panic already filling my heart. I should have known better than to hope."Sorry, but we don't have much time, and the person I am working on their behalf is afraid you may change your mind after being chosen, and can't take that chance.""I won't." I said confidently before she could say more. I was ready for this. Been ready for the last couple of years already."We both know that, but they don't. They are a little sceptical about all of this, that's why they want a signed contract beforehand. I hope you understand this right?They don't want you to feel like they're forcing you into this, you can back out the moment you feel this is not right for you, but we only have.." she checked the ladder watch on her wrist. "about three, and a half minutes before the selection closes.Your choice." She gave me her sweet smile.Panic rose in me, when she placed the tablet on my hand, and there was a document application opened with a contract. It was about five pages long, and each page required a signature.I didn't have time to read any of this tonight, but I didn't care. Time was running out, and if I wanted this torture to end today, I had to sign, and that's what I did.I didn't even bother to read the first line of the contract. Second mistake, but desperation will make you stupid.I felt like I was accepting the terms on condition on all the apps on my phone without reading them, and nothing ever came back to bite me on my ass right?"You didn't even glance at it. If not for me but for you to know what you're getting yourself into. I don't like this." Ingrid, who didn't know how it felt to be me, at this moment pouted."I know, and I am fine with what happens next. It's my decision to do this, not yours. I don't mean to be ungrateful but Ingrid you can scold me later if you like, but for me time is running out. Please go submit it." She nodded disappointment written all over her face or was it regret? I couldn't tell or I didn't want to at that moment.I only cared about one thing, and one thing only, being chosen.Two minutes felt like a lifetime before the music stopped and the Beta came on stage with his own table, and a forced smile on his face. It didn't suit him. I liked it better when he frowned.That seemed like his thing."Ladies, and gentlemen. Fasten your seatbelt and swallow your regret. If you didn't choose her, and someone did, it's not our fault right? Again no fighting for a she-wolf. The first man to choose her, won even though it's not a competition."Now, I will start with the anonymous selections, and when I call your name, go say goodbye to your chaperone and go to the private room behind the garden to meet your future family." My eyes went to my father who was sitting with other chaperone's at the back.His jaw was clenched, fist in balls turning white as snow from the lack of blood flow. He was trying to calm himself down. He hated this as much as I did, if not more. At that moment, I knew signing that document was the right thing to do.Given a choice, I would do it again. Not only for me but my family."Lauren Martha Bloomington, from Redstone pack." The Beta called, and her name showed on the screen with big bold letters."Sophia Kathlyn Stademan" Even I couldn't believe it, when I saw my name being called, and I was number two, fucken number two on the list.The shock in the hall was palpable. My father even stood on his feet while mine was rooted on the floor refusing to move. I didn't even realise I was crying until I felt my father's hug.He stood from where he was, and actually ran to me, to me. I couldn't hold it anymore, and didn't care if people were watching but I hugged my father tight, and silently cried on his shoulder.I did it. I ended my family's suffering."Don't mess up your makeup. We still have to meet your mate." My father cooed, but I could also hear the crack in his voice."I am not wearing any." I giggled, which in return he chuckled. It warmed my heart to hear him laugh again. It's been a while, and I am happy it's because of me, he can smile again."Now, let's go before my son in law changes his mind." He made it as a joke but damn it, I got scared a little. Can he do that?"Let's hope not, because my father will kick his ass." I joked too."Language young lady!" He scolded me and I laughed. I really missed this, more than anything."Daddy, I am twenty five. I can swear now." I whined while we left the hall to the garden."Age doesn't matter. You will always be little Sophia to me. My intelligent daughter." Those words brought tears back to my eyes.I haven't heard that name in forever. He called me little Sophia again."I am sorry!" My father said, as we reached the doors to the private rooms."What?" I asked, surprised. I thought I didn't hear him right."I am sorry for taking my frustrations on you, I am sorry for not being the father you needed for the past four years. You didn't deserve it, but I couldn't hear you and watch you suffer anymore. I know I should have been there for you but seeing that misery broke me." I had many things to say to him, but this was not the right time for this. This was a happy moment for both of us. I won't let anything spoil it, even my own feelings."I get it, and I forgive you. it was hard for us all." Especially me, but again this was not the right time.Now that I was chosen, my question was to whom. Was he a good person?Most of all. Why did he choose me, but let someone else do it on his behalf?I stood at the black door that had my name on it, and a smile graced my lips. This was it.I was going to meet my mate."Knock or do you want me to do it?" My father asked but I shook my head no. I was ready for this."I can do this." I said with an actual smile. Not forced, not a facade but an actual happy relieved smile.I held the gold round handle and twisted it, but I was not ready for what I saw in there, and my head bowed automatically at sight."Luna Queen.""Luna Queen!" I blurted out bowing in respect, and my father bowed respectfully too. "Don't do that, little pup. That's so impersonal. You can call me Queen Mother, and you must be Mr Stademan." She turned towards my father, extending her hand to him. I think he was as shocked as I was. Did we get into the wrong room? I swear I saw my name written on the blue door. "Luna Queen. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, but we must be in the wrong room. We are sorry to disturb you." My father bowed again. "Don't be silly Mr Stademan. You're where you are supposed to be. I am the one who chose your daughter for my grandson." She said with a smile, and I interrupted without checking myself or who I was talking to. Damn mouth, always blurting things out without my consent. "But he is married. I just saw his wife with him in the hall. Unless you have another grandson we don't know about, I don't see how that is possible?" The glare I got from my father was enough to kill a bull, never min
I looked totally different, beautiful but still different. The hair, the expensive clothes and heavy make-up was not who I was. Yes, I was a girly girl who liked to doll herself up when I have time, but I didn't go to this extend. They call the look natural but I have more makeup on my face than anything else. How is that a natural look? Do they even know what natural mean?My hair that was black, now looked brunette with highlights. My lips were painted nude, so were my nails. I was wearing a champagne off shoulder lace gown with sleeves that reached under my elbows. The dress was decorated with lace but had a silk skirt which didn't look bad if I say so myself. I loved heels, heck I had bunch loads at my house even though I didn't pack any when I came to the Choosing but these silver pumps I was wearing now, were to die for, an inheritance I was going to keep for myself after this shitshow ended. "Are you ready?" Ingrid asked from behind me. I was admiring yet hating on myself i
"He started it." I complained like a pup after being scolded. "Queen mother, you know me. I don't behave like a lunatic. I am a respected Alpha not some mutt who can't control their tongue." My so-called husband responded even though I wasn't talking to him but his grandmother. "Calling me a cursed girl in front of my father is holding your tongue? Is that Alpha like?" I shouted at him. "Permit me to kill her, your majesty!" He growled at me. "Both of you, shut up!" Luna Queen growled at us. "No one is dying today. Do you hear me? Bryce doesn't even think of touching a hair on her head. If you ever touch her, I will kill you myself." She warned "...and you!" She turned to look at me, and I immediately bowed down. "Bryce is not only your husband but your Alpha, addresses him as one. Instead of you two fighting you should be figuring out how you are going to give me a heir tonight, which is not negotiable" she said the last part the minute our mouths were about to open. "Tonight?
Silence. Nope awkward silence, that's what we were left with. We finally made the decision that even if we were forced to be intimate, having an audience was much worse. Now, the question remains, how the fuck do we do this without guilt or feeling dirty?"I'm going to take a shower, and you can also do it after." Bryce told me. How dare he? I was not one of his subjects. I will take a shower when I feel like taking a shower. "Why you first?" "Do you want to do it, first?" He raised an eyebrow at me, like I was a stubborn pup. The truth is, I didn't. I am not sure I want him to see me naked yet. Heck, I didn't even know how we were going to be intimate without touching. This was my first time, and I never thought my first time was going to be this awkward. If I had known, I would have taken Paul on his offer in tenth grade to have Netflix and chill. That way, at least I knew I was going to enjoy it. "No, I was just asking. I should have known that even a single question would t
Lights off but I could still see him. My enhanced eyesight didn't help, which meant he could see all of me too. "Are you listening to me?" He growled from the feet of the bed. "I am listening. I'm just mhmm.." okay, I was listening and frankly this felt a little weird to me. "Stop being stiff. I won't hurt you, not only for your safety but mine as well. My grandma would kill me if I did." He tried to joke which actually loosened me up a bit."Then walk me through it. You might be an expert but I am not, okay? Make fun of me all you want." I didn't care if he knew anymore. He didn't laugh, smirk or chuckle like I expected him to. "Firstly, stop clutching the towel like I am going to rape you." He instructed, and I obliged even though it was not fully. Relaxing was harder to do. Even after I left the towel to only rest on my body, now my bottom lip took the brunt. "Now, take a deep breath and try to relax. I am not going to bite, unless you want me to." He joked, and that made me
I heard the knock again, which caused me to finally open my eyes. The curtains were closed and I couldn't see what time it was, but what I wondered was who was at the door. Bryce wouldn't have knocked. He had his own key. Bryce, where the hell was he? I checked beside the bed where his clothes were kept but they were gone. Any trace that he had been in this room with me was gone. I felt a pang of disappointment in my heart but chose to ignore it. I didn't know what I was expecting but it served me right for expecting anything in the first place. I knew very well he was not mine. Another knock, this time urgent, got me off the bed, and I threw on the throw over my body covering very well, and went to the door to see what was going on. I opened the door and an older man, probably in his fifties, sipgeru blonde hair, brown dull eyes, wearing a royal suit, stood by the door bowing slightly. "Morning, how can I help you?" I greeted politely which caused me to wince at my morning breat
The room was way nicer and bigger than the room I had back home. Servant quarters my ass. If this is what Royal servants had, heck I want more of it. I had my own ensuite. The closet was big enough to fit the little clothes I brought with me, and I didn't mind the lavender colour on the walls even though they didn't match the duvet, and pillows. The colour was calming, and the room smelled clean. I spend most of the time there packing, and arranging things to my liking. I knew when we got to the palace it was pretty late in the evening and with the things that already happened here, I didn't realise I didn't eat the whole day. The moment I finished packing the closet, and I was about to take a shower and sleep, someone knocked on the door. I groaned internally because I was not ready to meet anyone yet. "Who is it?" I asked without opening the door. "It's Grace ma'am. Time for dinner." She announced, and my stomach took that as an invitation to growl with hunger. "Thank you, but
All I heard was 'tonight'. This man has disrespected me, belittled me and I am expected to open my legs for him again tonight? How does that make sense?"No, Bryce. I am not just going to take this disrespect from the queen mother. If she wants you to spend time with this gold digger every night, how am I going to spend time with you? How am I going to try and have a pup as well? Fucken fix this now!" Laura shouted which gained attention from the other pack members. I swear, I was not going to interfere in their business but she called me a golddigger. How dare she? I didn't even know I was chosen by the next Alpha King until afterwards. Even after that I was going to refuse but the contract binds me to them. "I am not a golddigger, and I do appreciate you calling me one. I didn't choose this." I said calmly. I did understand she was upset, which she had every right to be, but that didn't give her the right to disrespect me. "Are you talking to me?" She raised her voice again at