The crowd gasped. An alpha was required to pick at least five females at the start of the choosing, though most rarely narrowed their choices down that far this early in the ritual.
A strange ache built in my chest at the notion of Alpha Caelan choosing a suitable female for his mate. I rubbed at it absentmindedly, wondering if I was coming down with something.
“If I call your name, please come forward,” he stated.
“Deianira Harkan. Harvest Moon Pack.”
A saucy redhead in a long white gown stepped forward, smiling at the crowd in victory.
“Briggita Allegra. Harvest Moon Pack.”
A beautiful blonde in a sapphire-blue dress stepped forward, practically bouncing in excitement as she joined the redhead.
“Talulla Harlow. Harvest Moon Pack.”
A girl in a vivid-green dress with long, jet-black hair and gorgeous dark skin stepped forward, swinging her luxuriouslocks over her shoulder as she smirked at the other two. The blonde shifted anxiously, but the redhead didn’t even seem to notice.
I waited for the next two names, praying that Sunny’s would be one of them. She would be insufferable on the drive home if she didn’t make the first cut, and somehow, I was sure it would end up being my fault. He was her dream man and after spending a few moments in his presence, I could see why.
“Sunshine Mallory. Thunder Moon Pack,” Alpha Caelan continued.
I breathed a sigh of relief as Sunny took her place next to the other chosen females, her burnt-orange dress fluttering around her heels as she waved to the crowd like a beauty queen.
Thank the Goddess. Soon as he makes his last pick, this whole nightmare will be over. I don’t know why they even bothered to include me. An alpha would never pick an omega as his—
“Shade. Thunder Moon Pack.”
I froze, feeling faint as heads started to turn my way.What? No. He didn’t say… I must have heard him wrong. He wouldn’t call my name. I’m an omega. A servant. I’m beneath him.
“Go on, Shade,” Taffy coaxed, bumping my shoulder with hers. “You’re the final candidate.”
“N-no… I-it can’t be… There’s been some sort of mistake,” I stammered, clenching my hands tightly to hide the tremor in them.
I can’t go up there. Sunny is supposed to be Thunder Moon’s candidate, not me. If I go up there, I’ll be a disgrace to myentire pack. My father will probably come out here personally to remind me of my place. No good can come of this.
“Caelan called your name. You have to go,” Taffy urged, giving me a shove toward the other contestants.
I stumbled forward, only adding to my embarrassment. As I took tentative steps in the direction of the others.
Sunny’s bright smile disappeared, her expression growing darker and more menacing as I slowly walked up and took my place next to her. I could feel the rage radiating off her.
That I had even been considered a candidate had been ridiculous, but now that I was one of the final five, she would be absolutely furious. She was going to kill me if she had the chance.
Alpha Caelan stood behind us, raising a hand to the crowd as they cheered for their alpha and his choices for their luna. I jumped when a gentle touch settled in the center of my lower back, the soft tingling sensation rolling through me in waves. A warmth enveloped me, taking me by surprise.
He’s touching me. Why is he touching me?~How could I possibly think straight with his hand on me?
I snuck a sideways glance toward my sister to see if he had done the same with Sunny, but his other hand was tucked away in the pocket of his slacks. I dared to look him over once more, careful not to meet his glittering hazel gaze.
My eyes traveled over his form, drinking him in. His brunet hair was perfectly styled and looked so soft, I could feel my fingers twitching with the urge to run them through it. The easy smileon his face both soothed and unnerved me. He was large and well-built as all true alphas were.
I couldn’t help but admire him. He was perfect. Drool-worthy. The kind of wolf that females swooned over. If he’d been human, he would likely be gracing the cover of one of Sunny’s magazines. It was no wonder that so many she-wolves showed up to participate in his choosing.
He must’ve noticed I was staring as he slowly turned to face me, his smile growing ever wider before I swiftly dropped my gaze back to the ground and faced forward. I could feel the blush burning across my cheeks at having been caught ogling him.
“You’re doing great,” he whispered in my ear, making my toes curl at the sound, his warm breath dancing across my skin leaving goosebumps in its wake. “Just try to relax.”
Relax?! How the hell am I supposed to do that?!
