Chapter 8.

The warning from alpha Emanuel was loud and mixing with the sound of her ass slapping down on the Alpha’s lap and her moans which fell into mewing when he twisted her nipple between his fingers.

The other Alphas line up and get ready for the turn with her, relishing in the fact that she had broken a rule and they now get to reap the consequents.

I moved away from Emanuel and chugged what is left in the glass.

Iliana was rubbing up against another Alpha, she seemed to be doing much better or maybe she’s faking it like I am. Emmanuel brings the bottle, his face void of emotion as he filled my glass and took a gulp from the bottle before quelling into his hand.

The smell of sex filled the air and I could tell it set all of the Alphas on edge. I looked around for the those yellow eyes that watched me when I came in but they were gone. I saw them in that corner under the old clock. It was the only corner where the light from the fire and the lamp didn't reach. If I touched my face I could've sworn I felt where his gaze left burn marks but whoever that heated gaze belonged too wasn't here.

White dresses were lifted to expose the girls smooth legs and they dragged themselves across the Alpha they found must desirable. It all boiled down to three factors; Looks, power and status.

I looked out the window that covered an entire wall and saw that the Hunt would soon begin.

My mind was already in the woods and Trixy was sniffing out the surroundings but she’s too weak to tell any clear markings of where we were or what we had around us.

In the reflection on the window I saw Liv, her eyes rolled back and she fisted the couch when another took his turn with her.

These were the Alphas, the leaders of our packs and the ones we were meant to adore and trust.

The Alpha that first took Liv stood up and fixed his clothes. He watched her with a distaste in his narrowly judging eyes and he reached down and pulled her nipple between his fingers, twisting it until she fell forward in pain while the man behind her continued to thrust into her.

“Stop staring” Trixy warned me and my eyes widened when I realized that I was staring at a group of Alphas.

But it was too late, his eyes met mine through the reflection he moved away from the couch and walked with determination over to the window.

He ran his hand through his hair and wiped the sweat from his red forehead as he stood beside me.

“Dom,”

Alpha Dom- last i heard he had three wives and more misstresses than anyone could keep track of.

“Pleasure,” I said, remembering that I was the one with power right now. He dragged his nose down my neck and my breath hitched. He stepped closer, pressing at me from behind- his hands still contained at his sides.

The door opened up behind us and Dom smirked as he turned to face Lady Hale. His eyes flickered to mine ever so subtly and I saw a fire in his eyes that looked far too determined for my liking. A sinister scowl on his face grew when he saw my hesitation that lasted for only a second before I wiped any proof of it. These men did not take kindly on being rejected and even less so on being disrespected.

My eyes went to Iliana again, I needed to make sure that she was alright and I saw her smile happily- her eyes playing perfectly as the flirt with her chosen Alpha.

Liv was lifted of the couch, she was put down on her feet and the Alpha grabbed a dress from Captain Talas hands and slid it over her head to cover her naked body. Her face is red and her chest falls in a sigh as she looked up at the alpha with round eyes. He placed her hair behind her ear and smiled- Liv leaned on him and her lips pulled up in contentment.

What? Why the hell was she smiling?

“Did you think she hated it?” My head snapped to the side and I looked at Dom. He clicked his tongue and put a grape in his mouth before he moved around me. “Nobody hates it.” He whispered with a wink as he walked away.

Nobody hates it.

Liv was leaning on her toes and her lips were moving by his ear- Dom walked behind her and licked his lips when Liv talked to the other Alpha. Whatever she was saying, he liked it, he nodded his head and his dark eyes narrowed dangerously on her face.

She came to stand beside me- the baby blue dress fell to her feet and left little to the imagination when the sheer fabric exposed her entire body but still she stood straight with confidence and clasped her hands behind her back.

Her eyes slowly turned in a side eye and she watched me,“how’s my braid?” She asked timidly.

I sighed, my shoulders fell and I looked at her braid but I had to move around her to really get a good glimpse of how it fell down her back. All I saw from here was the messy locks that had fallen and the blonde strands against her skin only made her red face all that brighter,

I saw the hope in her eyes, she wanted me to fix it so I bit down.

Lady Hale seemed occupied with the Alphas, they were signing their names on a scripture that would be rolled up and later unraveled to see if they got the girl they wanted. All of this was like a god damn poker game- a game of luck and cunning.

Liv groaned and her eyes grew twice the size as she impatiently stomped her foot. I rolled my eyes and stepped behind her.

“Calm down.” I said and grabbed her braid in my hands. Liv was taller by a good amount so I had to tip on my toes to reach the upper part of her hair that had landed in tussles on top of her head.

“Stand still,” I seethe when Liv pulled her head to the side. I got that it stung but those pieces of hair had tangled in the loops and I had to pull them out and redo her braid- constantly looking over her shoulder at Lady Hale.

I saw the last Alpha signing his name and the pen lifting from the sheet- just as I tightened Liv’s braid, tucked the last pieces in and hurriedly tied the hair tie.

I heard the breath seep between her clenched teeth and felt her fingers gripped my arm tightly and I fell to her side just as Lady Hale looked at us.

Liv was that beautiful girl that you compared yourself to when you stood in the mirror and touched at your face or moved your hand through your hair. The one you expect will be a bitch but who in reality is one the kindest girls in our pack, always helping out and making sure everyone feels included.

She would go down for anyone in her pack, she was a hell of a fighter and deserved someone much better than the slim pickings we had here. If I had to choose then maybe Emmanuel was a good fit for her, he had a kind heart and not even one wife- which trust you me- was a rarity.

“The moon is nearly red,” I saw her lip pull up in a mocking grin. Was it mocking or was it just me? “are we ready?” Her brows raised, her chest pushed out and her braid fell over her shoulder down to her hip.

“Yes Lady Hale.” We say in unison.

She looked over each of us and turned halfway. No, not mocking, just wildly enjoying this twisted game of power. Lady Hale enjoyed being game master, that much was clear and it was enough for me to lose all respect for her.

“I must say, Alpha’s, this years choices are something else. I understand you’ve had a hard time narrowing your preys.” She walked to the wall and stood by a low handing tassel to which a long rope was attached. The golden strings strung tightly and reached all the way up to the ceiling where it disappeared through a hole.

She wrapped her fingers around the tassel, her face changed into a cold calm- as though this was what she lived for- and then her eyes turned yellow.

“You have ten minutes, girls, make the most of them.” Throughout this whole evening I had heard hints of pleasure and joy in ever word that Lady Hale spoke. Until now. This was the first time that her voice was absolutely, undoubtably serious.

Some of the Alpha’s were standing, some were sitting but all were waiting for the Hunt. They were prepared, they would outrun each and every girl here but I wasn't planning on outrunning them- the run was for them- I just didn't want to be chosen by one of the ones who had a wicked mind.

We turned around and faced the glass wall. I try to see him through the reflection, I try to spot Emanuel and lock gazes.

Holy heavens, please don't let anyone else catch me…he is the lesser of the evils here.

I watched as the wall slowly parted and once it reached into the hinges on each side was when the clock started.

The loud thud with a click that locked it into place made us jump and the timer started counting down.