Chapter 1: Are you ready to give up your life

Skylar's pov

Mother had said we were all born for purpose but I was born to die.

I was not supposed to live but the consequences of my father's action changed my life forever.

It all began on the 26th of May in the Year of the Moon. The summer I turned 18, I was told I was going to die.

In the fields, a few of the maids and I harvested oats, strawberries, avocados, peas and some green. Our harvest every year was always bountiful and we were always at the top of highest producers. However, this feat was not achieved easily. The last 5 years and the year before was hell for us.

The SilverMoon had lost her Luna and I had lost my mother but my father lost a part of himself. He would ramble from place to place sobbing and calling for mother, his voice wailing loudly in the wind.

The pack’s priestess had ruled him incompetent to rule and the throne was vacant. Without an Alpha on the throne, the pack was plunged into chaos – we had thieves invading our homes, starvation and what not. Someone had to put a stop to it and that someone was me.

With the help of a few pack elders, we returned to our former glory. Even though it took a while.

Now, father has returned to rule the pack with his wisdom and grace yet mother's absence could still be felt.

I walked into the fields and all eyes fell on me.

I kept down my basket and the whispers increased.

I turned left to look at Mayberry who plucked strawberries off the stalk. “Why is everyone staring at me?”

“Haven’t you heard?” she asked in a low whisper.

“Heard what?” I asked with a puzzled frown.

“Someone was chosen for the ceremony.” She leaned in to whisper to me.

My eyes went round. “The pack has finally decided?”

“Yes.” She scratched her nose.

“Mayberry, is something wrong?” I asked, clapping her shoulder.

“You really don't know who was chosen?” She asked again, her eyes becoming misty by the second.

Before I could reply, Mallory and her pack of mean omegas, waltzed in. They called themselves “The Mega Omegas” but we called them “The Nano Nobodies.”

“Oh, who do we have here?... Skylar and her fat friend.” Mallory lifted her skirt up to her knees so it wouldn't brush the grass.

“Don’t be mean, to her, Mallory.” I stood up in Mayberry’s defense.

“Oh really?” She narrowed her eyes on me. “Or else what? You'll report me to your stupid father?”

She threw her head back and laughed.

“How dare you speak to my father that way!” I hissed, “You have no right to say that!”

“I'll say it again,” Mallory walked right in front of me with a glare in her eyes. “And you'll do nothing.”

“Why don't we find out whether I'll do nothing or not?” I clenched my right fist, ready to use it.

Mayberry grabbed my arm. “Let it go, Skylar. She's not worth it.”

“Let me go, Mayberry.”

“Look at her, all bark and no bite, just like her weak father.” Mallory laughed and her friends joined her.

“You take that back!” I yelled. “Let me go, Mayberry. These girls are being mega jerks.”

“Let them go, Skylar.” Mayberry shook her head.

“Yeah. Listen to your stupid friend, Skylar,” Mallory approached me with a mischievous grin on her face. “You can't hurt us without hurting your father's image. Oops, his image has already been ruined.”

“Take that back!” I screamed at her, raising my hand to hit her. But before I could, a loud voice called for me.

“Skylar!”

I turned around. It was Beta Jasper and his face told me he had news.

The next thing I know, the three of us are in our father's office and on our knees.

“My daughter did nothing to you and she got attacked!” Beta Jasper pointed at me like I was some filthy object.

“I will talk to Skylar.” Father said in a calm voice.

I couldn't sit there as he lied. I had to object. “But father…”

“Do not speak when the men are talking!” Beta Jasper roared and I pursed my lips. I knew my father wouldn't say anything else. He always listens to his councilman without objection or whether they were wrong or right. That made the pack nickname “the puppet king”. If only he knew it was his Beta that came up with the name.

“Come on, Mallory.” Beta Jasper took his daughter's hand and led her out of the office. Of course, Mallory did not forget to stick out her tongue at me.

I rolled my eyes and rose to my feet.

“You can leave us, Mayberry.” Father said.

“Yes, Your Grace.” Mayberry spared me a kind glance before she turned to leave.

I clenched my fist at my side. “Father…”

“Why would you act so recklessly?” Father raised his voice.

“Recklessly? Do you have any idea what he said about you behind your back?” I raised my voice now.

“Enough.” Father palmed his face. “Listen, Skylar… I…”

I heaved a sigh. “It's alright, Father, but you know you can't let people…”

“You're the chosen one for the Chosen Ceremony,” Father said quietly.

My blood chilled. “W- - what?”

He went on, clapping both his hands on my shoulder. “I got word of it from the council this morning about it. Everyone else agreed but I refused. I couldn't lose you not after I lost your mother…”

So that was why everyone back at the fields was staring at me. They already knew.

“I won't let you go on with the ceremony.” Father said in a shaky voice. I had never seen this sorry state since my mother died.

“Father!” I raised my voice and he flinched. “This is why the people say you're weak! You cannot stomach pain!”

Father stared wide-eyed at me. “Skylar…”

“The Silvermoon pack is already thrown into conflict because they think you're a weak Alpha! Father!” I yelled with tears in my eyes.

“Skylar, my daughter.” Father cupped both my cheeks.

“Let me…” Tears filled my eyes. I knew the decision I was making now was a difficult one but I had to. “Let me do this for the pack and … for mom. I have to do as tradition demands. I am the chosen one.”

“Do you know what you're asking, Skylar?” He shook his head. “It's unthinkable. How do you think I'd feel as a father if he send his own child to die? I won't let you be sacrificed. I won't let you…”

“Father, there's nothing we both can do.” Tears slipped down my cheeks.

“*Oh Skylar.” He sniffled then pulled me into his embrace. “I’m sorry I failed you.”

“It's alright, father.” I buried my face in his chest and sobbed.

The night that followed was the Chosen Ceremony and every werewolf was ready to witness the event.

I sucked in a breath as I entered, walking slowly towards the priestess standing on the altar with a dagger in her hand.

“Are you sure you're making the right decision?” I heard a voice ask me and turned around. No one's lips moved. They all say red with fear glinting in their eyes and panic registered on their faces.

I crept towards the altar and stood beside the priestess.

As custom demanded, only the priest(ess) could witness this ceremony with their own eyes. The people were forbidden.

“Are you ready to give up your life for the Moon Goddess?” The priestess asked me.

I hesitated for a moment. If I die, father would be all alone but if I don't do this, something terrible would be sure to happen and I couldn't risk it.

I answered in a solemn voice. “I do.”

She gestured to the stone slab erected on the altar and I laid on it.

The priestess lifted the dagger and began to chant. When she was done, she put the dagger in the fire hearth and brought it near. But before the dagger would reach me, a scream followed but it wasn't from me.