Chapter 5: Moving Out

When I went back inside, I was still dumbfounded. I wanted to think that whatever I heard back in the garden wasn’t true but who am I kidding?

Why did fate seem to be playing with me?

When the most anticipated time arrived, I stood there frozen among the crowd, my toes were curling on my shoes. If I was just any girl, it would have been a privilege. I would feel blessed for receiving the Alpha’s attention and making my father proud, but that wasn’t the case.

All my life I felt like I was chained. Dad honed me to be the person he wanted me to be. His principles were unbreakable rules. The world he gave me felt like a cage and all I ever wanted was to break free. I was under his control all my life, and now am I going to be controlled by another man?

“I know most of you are waiting for this,” said Alpha Calix with a smirk on his face. After looking around, his eyes found mine once again.

An unfamiliar shiver ran through my spine.

“Now I’m going to announce the five ladies who will be subjected for a thorough screening. The first one is…”

Everyone cheered when a councilor’s daughter was called. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest when another name was mentioned. After three names, my hands had grown cold and I wondered if what the alpha told me was really true or if he was just joking.

“The fourth lady is Genevieve Quinn…”

Genevieve who was near me was teary eyed when her name got called. Most people weren’t surprised by it. Genevieve’s father was the head councilor. It was expected she would get a spot. After all, only those born to a family in the upper class were deemed to be deserving of the Luna’s position.

“And now we are down to the final spot,” said Alpha Calix, smiling menacingly at the many ladies who were hoping for their name to be called.

Dad must be praying now that the last name would be mine.

With my hands clutching the sides of my dress tightly, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I silently wished in the air.

Please don’t call my name… please.

I hoped the Alpha was just joking when he said that. Or if it was true, I hoped he changed his mind. I hoped he wouldn’t see me as someone worthy to be chosen.

“The fifth lady is… Loraine Sullivan.”

And just like that, my world crumbled.

I opened my eyes and saw everyone was looking at me. But my eyes were on him… on the devil who found me intriguing and wanted to have me wrapped on his fingers.

I saw it in the way his lips curved. He saw me as a toy he could play with.

Of course, my father was beyond joyous. When we got home, he immediately told the maids to pack my newest and most beautiful dresses. He couldn’t wait to send me to the Alpha’s mansion. He didn’t even notice the dread written all over my face. Or maybe he noticed but chose to ignore it because he didn’t care.

“Don’t be sad. I promise I will visit you often,” consoled Rose while I was sitting in front of the mirror and she was combing my hair.

“I don’t want to go, Rose,” I admitted in a small voice. “I don’t want to be one of the alpha’s toys. I’ve accepted I can’t be with Jacob but what about my mate? I’ll have my wolf sooner or later. I will meet him. I just hope he has the means to fight for me.”

“But… I don’t think there is anything you can do in this case, Lory. Dad is determined to offer you to the alpha. And Alpha Calix must have chosen you because of Dad’s position in the district.”

I sighed.

“Don’t worry, there is a fair chance you wouldn’t be chosen to be his wife. There are four other ladies including the head council’s daughter, Genevieve Quinn. Besides, Alpha Calix promised not to sully any of the ladies’ honor, so he can’t force you to do anything with him.”

A promise not to sully the ladies’ honor? Yes, he could sign those papers to put the public at ease but would it even matter behind closed doors? I doubt it. He was the alpha, the person who held the most power and influence in the district. A word from him was enough to twist the truth. So those papers he signed were nothing but a mere formality.

“While I’m away, take care of yourself and don’t sneak out. Do you understand?” I gave my sister a smile of assurance so she wouldn’t worry too much.

It was the first day I would live in Alpha’s estate. The car was already outside and we stood at our mansion’s gates to bid our goodbyes to each other.

“You are the one who loves sneaking out, Lory. I don’t do that.”

I smiled, “Right. You are the obedient Miss Sullivan while I’m the rebellious one. I just want to remind you in case you will find some reason to sneak out. I don’t want you to get punished.”

We both knew Dad’s cruel ways especially when it came to his punishments. Looking back, I couldn’t help but smile when I remembered he never caught me sneaking out to meet Jacob. I was quite lucky.

“I will wait for you,” a tear escaped Roselle’s eyes even when she fought the urge to cry.

I pulled her into a hug. “Oh you are such a crybaby, Rose. What will I do to you.”

“Make sure you come back, Lory. I don’t care what you do. Just do something so the alpha won’t choose to marry you. Do something silly. Turn him off.”