Chapter Three

I was startled by the alpha's presence and couldn't help but laugh at my foolish daydreams about someone so unattainable. Hadn't Ethan's rejection taught me anything?

“Damn, he looks so good.”Natalia whistled behind me and I agreed.

A male and a female, who seemed to be the alpha's friends, trailed closely behind him. The male appeared laid-back and relaxed, while the beautiful woman exuded confidence, walking as if she owned the place. I noticed Alpha Adonis holding her hand.

Were they lovers? If so, why would he be searching for a wife?

Natalia was right all along. The alpha and his friends didn't make any selections during the first through fourth lines. The girls cried, and some even attempted to sneak into our line.

The alpha's group approached us, and the air charged up. My heart was thumping furiously against my ribs. Adonis appeared uninterested and nearly tired of the hunt.

I overheard him saying, "This is tiring, Fred. I'm not interested in any of the girls."

His friend laughed. "Come on, Adonis. Don't be a killjoy. Look around and pick ten girls of your choice."

When his eyes met mine, goosebumps crept up my arms like spider webs. I finally felt like I could breathe when his gaze shifted to the next girl but wondered why he had such an effect on me.

And then, like magic, he chose ten girls from my line, including Natalia and me. My knees were so weak that I could barely stand.

Natalia was speechless and stunned beyond belief."We're in," she cried out. “Somebody wake me up, Iris, we are in!"

What the…

Adonis turned away and cameras encircled us, their lenses capturing every detail of our faces. I looked away, and my chest pounded with fear. They were news reporters, and my dad watched the news every night. It was game over for me.

Natalia grabbed my arm, "Come. Let's head to the stage and disassociate from these losers."

When we walked onto the stage, I was still in complete shock. As we climbed the last stair, the alpha and his entourage exited the hall. Several girls in the front screamed in frustration as soon as they were out of sight.

Their faces crumpled, and some of them couldn't stop crying. They looked like raccoons, with smudged mascara streaking down their cheekbones and I felt pity for them.

Angry voices rose from all over the room. "This is unfair! How could they not recognize my potential?" One girl's voice cut through the air.

The ten of us who had been chosen gathered near the stage's edge. They were thrilled, and one of them leaned in closer.

"Isn't it amazing that only line six was chosen? We should have a unique name."

"How about Famous Line Six?" Another girl proposed, and the others agreed, their eyes bright with excitement.

MC Charles returned to the stage and attempted to console the crying girls. "Ladies, ladies. Please. Your emotions are running high right now, and for good reason. However, by entering this contest, each of you demonstrated incredible bravery. Don't forget that.”

They booed him, and the longer he spoke, the angrier they got. "You'll be given consolation gifts and will not return home empty-handed."

Nobody took his words seriously. I felt terrible. I was here, feeling like a fraud. I knew I was a ticking time bomb of exposure, and I secretly wished I hadn't advanced to the next round.

The girls were free to leave with a tangible reward for their efforts. However, the next round could expose all of my lies. I considered swapping places with one of them, but everyone was watching us - the organizers, the audience - and I couldn't sneak away or exchange discreetly.

Natalia had a wild and carefree personality. She twirled a champagne flute, taking big gulps, and the shakiness in her feet told me she was already drunk.

"Come on, try some," she said, holding out the glass to me with a big smile. "You should unwind and have fun."

"I'm fine." I usually stick with water or fruit juice. I'm not a fan of alcohol.”

She dismissed my concerns with a laugh. "you're missing out on so much fun, girl. The alpha must be flattered that we are drinking his exquisite wine. Come dance with me.”

"Nah," I grimaced. "I don't dance."

Her lips curved into a puzzled smile. "You came to a beauty pageant, but you don't dance? Does that make any sense?

Reluctantly, I let myself be drawn to the dance floor. Despite my inexperience, I swayed to the beat and enjoyed the rhythm of the music. My favorite dance moves were in my head.

I had a natural talent for singing, which allowed me to temporarily forget about my worries. I was confident that if all I had to do was sing a song to win the alpha's heart, I would win.

Natalia leaned in. "So, what is your pack? You haven't mentioned it."

Shit!

My gaze fell, and I felt guilty about lying to her. "Oh, I'm from the Valley Pelt."

My mom was from there, so it wasn't a complete lie.

"I've been there multiple times. It's a lovely pack," she said, without asking any further questions.

My thoughts drifted to the Sisters Sanctuary. I didn't miss that place at all. The oppressive sameness of every day, combined with a lack of freedom, drove me insane. The prospect of spending another year in that confinement was undoubtedly going to destroy me.

I felt bad for the old guard I outran, and I wondered if the news had reached my dad. Would he even bother looking for me?