2. The forceful preparation

Freya

I felt a cold splash of water bring me back to consciousness. The pain in my head was still there, and so were the two maids that stood above me now, looking like they didn't want to be there.

“She is awake,” One of the maids said. I think her name was Debbie. When they were sure I was awake, they pulled me into the tub in the room and began scrubbing my skin.

“You should be lucky girl, many of us would want nothing more than be given leverage to get off this pack. But we can't. I suggest you take this seriously.”

I knew what my fate held, but I didn't need to be reminded. It dawned on me again what was going to be happening to me in a few moments. My pack was sending me out to my doom. And knowing I would never really be held in high esteem like the daughters of Betas and Alphas, if picked was a bane to my existence.

But I held on to the fact that I’d prefer to be maltreated by strangers than my own people.

“Where are the rest of the girls?” I asked, looking at the nicer maid.

“They are in the other room” she replied. “They are all ready and waiting to be presented. You will join them when we are done with you”. I looked down at my naked body and I wondered how exposed I must have been in my unconsciousness.

I shook my head slightly as they tried to put makeup on my face. I don’t want to look pretty for a were-dragon or some old fart. I wish I could just be let alone.

But what I wanted was not the most important thing. It wanted what the Alpha wants and what the pack wants.

Although some Omegas show their interest in leaving the pack instead of the damnation of being treated like a slave for the rest of their lives, they would rather be the chosen mistresses of the dragons.

The dragons were an important part of my pack, long before I even existed, the pact had been made. The dragons would make sure there is protection on our lands against all the other creatures and they would provide apparatuses and resources we need from far and wide, and the only thing we have to do is pick girls of eligible ages for the were-dragons every two years.

Never has there been a setback and never has there been anyone who had been bold enough to break the pact.

If dared, The dragons could incinerate our entire pack, turning forests to ash and melting mountains to molten rock. It is said that the dragon's flames danced with sublime grace, devouring obstacles and leaving trails of smoldering destruction. Their burning fire is everything and everything to be feared.

I felt terrified when I entered the hall, dressed in the best clothes I could acquire in my entire life and I was met with fear written all over the girls’ faces.

If these girls from important families were afraid of the future, what would become of me?

“Listen up girls, it is a privilege that you are making the pack proud with your sacrifice”, our second-in-command announced, beaming from ear to ear, probably dreaming of what the outcome of this would be.

I would not call this sacrifice, it's not like we had a choice in the matter.

I can't say the same about the second-in-command’s daughter, who is well above eighteen and is still not in the room with us.

I doubt he would tell his daughter that it was a privilege that she was in the hall with us and not with a mate she doesn't love just because she didn't want to be on the list.

“Just stay seated girls, you will be called out in no time”. He finished his statement and went out of the hall, followed by the rest of the maids, leaving us alone in a closed room.

“I don't want to do this”. The girl sitting beside me burst into tears. She was the daughter of the pack's best fighter.

“Then you should have run away from here before now. Please shut up, I think it's too late for your whining”. Another girl answered, she seemed ready for whatever outcome today would bring. I tried to stay as calm as possible. I know there wont be any good thing coming out of putting myself in trouble with them. If it comes to being punished, I will be at the receiving end, because they have parents who possibly love them and would do anything to bring them out of trouble. Not me,l nothing called rescued was ever in my life.

“I heard they were dragons who know how to treat their females satisfactorily. I can't wait to meet one” She added, and that seemed to lift their spirits.

“I heard that the prince will be coming to choose a bride this time. He had never shown up for any of the events in the past. I would be more than grateful because I know he would pick me. How excellent would it be to become the wife of the dragon prince!” A girl squealed happily. It was the head of Pack council’s daughter. Up until last year, she was promised to the Alpha’s heir, Orion. No one knows what happened between the two to date.

“You seem so sure he would pick you,” I said for the first time. Breaking the promise I made to myself. I hate overconfident rich brats, who think they deserve more just because they are born that way.

“Is that not just the normal thing? A prince would only date a princess. If I will be forfeiting being the future Luna of Crescent pack, I should be able to get the most out of it” She replied, standing up from her seat to stand in front of me.

“I would not say the same about you though, Omega. We all saw how disgraced you were earlier. And for what? Something a 'sorry' could have fixed. Look around, you are the only Omega in the room this year. How do you think your unlucky self would even be picked, by the least of the dragons for that matter?” I looked around just like she said, and I realized she was saying the truth, I was the only Omega of almost twenty girls in the hall.

Of course! It dawned on me that the Omegas would prefer the security of the pack than of a stranger, they would have gotten themselves laid by any boy available. Why then did I think I was better in a strange land than my own pack? Would I really be safer with the dragons? Even as a mere mistress?

“I am hoping a cat has got your tongue” The girl slashed into my thoughts, bringing me back to reality.

“I think you should just ignore me. This is the end of the road for me.”

She squinted her eyes, and her brows formed a V shape, probably trying to understand what I meant.

“What's that supposed to mean?” She asked, still standing firmly in front of me with her arms folded.

“It means I don't care if you are chosen by the prince or by the master. Just leave me the heck alone. I need to plan my future”. With that, she was forced to leave me alone and went back to her seat. And that's what I would do, find a way to escape and plan for my future.

I cleaned my nervous sweaty hand on my white and heavenly-made dress. I looked down immediately realizing what I had done. Relief washed over me when I realized it didn’t stain it because it would have been too obvious. And that would definitely put me on the spot. I want to be as invisible as possible.

Even if I am not sure how invisible I can be among the only twenty girls in the center of the field with every eye having access to see us, I’m sure I would manage with my plain figure not doing justice to my dress, my strange white hair, and my no make-up face. Everything will go well. I prayed.

And I have decided, whether I end up with the dragons or stay back in the pack, I will run away. Run and never look back.

The door opened, and the excitement of the people outside the hall made its way into my ear. I knew it, the were-dragons have arrived. The dragons were here.

“Now girls! It is time. Behave and everything will be fine”

Of course, everything was not fine, it is as crazy as I had thought or even worse. A noise sounded above us and I looked upward to check what the noise was about. It was not about us. It was about the dragons. About ten of them were flying in the air. Building up flames from their throat but didn't bring out fire. It was one thing werewolves feared. It was the flames from the dragon mouths, that would clear out a whole land in minutes. And now it seems the dragons were choosing mates for themselves. Something that has never happened before.

Fear gripped me, I felt my whole world would crumble as one very giant dragon landed in front of me. He has blue eyes that looked like ice from the north pole. Penetrating deep into my soul, the fierceness of his eyes began to slowly melt away. He seemed to be at peace for a full second before returning to being brutal.

For the first time on that day, there was complete silence, and my heart stopped. Waiting to see if the dragon would devour me for being unworthy or would carry me out of there to a faraway land and never return.

None of that happened. The dragon moved away from me and to the other girls, walking around to pick a worthy candidate. Just as he left, it was as if he took something important from me, I suddenly felt empty.

Just like I was trying to understand what has just happened, I heard someone call my name. “Freya” it was faint at first so I thought I was imagining it but it came again. “Freya”

I looked now beside me, it was Cole, he was hiding behind a grass not far from the center. I rolled my eyes at him, he was definitely not the person I ever want to see my entire life. I made up my mind that it was best to ignore him. He betrayed me.

“Freya, don't be stubborn. I want to help you escape” Escape? That caught my attention. But instead of confirming why he would have a three sixty degrees change of heart in less than three hours from his earlier behavior. I asked “Here?” I looked up at where the alpha and his family stayed, none of them were missing from their seats and they seemed to be enjoying the show.

“Come on. I can help you escape. No one would realize you are gone. You are not as important” He said and I could not help but feel hurt.

Dismissing the feeling, I found my chance when everybody was focusing on Nicki, the head of the pack council’s daughter. Of course, everyone was hoping to see what would become of her.

I looked up at the dragons, they didn't seem interested in the rest of us. Their owners will be in the crowd, on the high table. I didn't bother to look. There is no need to try to call more attention to myself.

“Move so that I can hide behind the tree” I whispered back to Cole. It would be humiliating to get caught running away.

And just then, without causing any attention towards me, I joined Cole behind the small tree.

“Now what?” I asked,

“Now, we run”

“Are you stupid? They will catch us” I argued.

“Not if you shift to your wolf form and run” That made sense but I was still getting used to changing. But I know for a fact that if I was able to change and run without being noticed, I can really succeed.

“Why are you helping me?” I asked, changing the topic.

“You don't need to know”

“No, I don't trust you. Why are you helping me?” I asked again.

“Well, if you really want to know. Diana thinks you are a threat and you cannot come back to this pack even if you were not chosen”

Instead of asking him why and telling him that I am no threat. I asked, “Why did you betray me? I trusted you”

“Freya, the dragons will soon be done with the viewing, they will soon select, if you don't go now, you will never be able to leave”

“I want to leave and even though you are doing this for yourself. I will think of it like I am the one using you. Lead the way”

He moved, and I ran after him, it seemed no one saw anything. I will get to the wood, change out of my clothes, and shift.

My mind was made up, there was no turning back.

“Freya! The dragon prince” Cole shouted my name and I almost wanted to shout back and tell him he would put me in trouble when I saw the shadow above me. It was the dragon from earlier, but now it had a rider.

I looked in front of me, Cole had shifted into his wolf form, leaving me all by myself.

The dragon was getting closer now, but I was not waiting, I would rather continue running than give up.

The dragon was not giving up either. He made sounds that screamed anger.

I continued running until I found myself in front of a lake.

I had only a few minutes to weigh my options. Surrender or jump into the lake.

I looked back, the man was strolling toward me, convinced that I had nowhere to escape.

Only because of the satisfaction I saw on his face, I knew what my answer would be.

I jumped.