Fate can suck it!

A howl filled the air signalling the beginning of the Choosing.

I stood up from my chair, shaking my head trying to rid myself of Igrid's words. Her words had so much meaning but I couldn't decipher what she was trying to tell me.

Did she know something I didn't? Could her words be true? Did the moon Goddess grant me another chance at having a mate? I hated what her words were doing to my psych. She was giving me hope.

Hope that I had lost four years ago. I hate this feeling.

I decided to stop overthinking and go inside the hall where the Choosing was taking place. I didn't want to be the last person to enter that room bringing more attention to me than I would like to.

Inside was very fancy, and for some reason they went back to my favourite theme, I had seen in the Choosing. The Luna eclipse. I couldn't help the smile that graced my face even in the face of this atrocity exhibition called

'The Choosing.'

Someone shook me, since I was lost in the decorations that soothed my soul and wolf. "This way ma'am." The omega instructed respectfully, Ushering me to my table according to my tag, and guess what? The most embarrassing part of it all.

It was according to my age as well, and as everyone knows. There were no she-wolves at my age sitting at that table. Lucky number twenty five.

Everyone knew that girls my age were married with pups by now, so I had a whole table by myself while other, she-wolves tables were surrounded and almost full.

There were she-wolves there as young as eighteen and a number of nineteen years old but no twenty upwards then there was the cursed girl at the end of the hall that was twenty five.

Self-pity was starting to become monotonous.

"Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the annual Choosing, where the goddess helps every wolf choose their mate!" A voice said, getting me out of my depressing thoughts. It was the Alpha King's Beta. The scariest man I have ever laid my eyes on. He was the one who hosted the Choosing every year and every year he said the same thing and I knew it by heart now

"By order of the Goddess, young pups will choose their partners that they have been eyeing to dance with, and get to know them all night. Then by the end of the night they would be an anonymous Choosing, then finally, those who want to show off their partners will choose in front of the Alpha king, and get his, and his mate's blessing.

So that their unions will grow stronger and Goddess willing, they will never part until death pulls them apart. Good luck to everyone, now a word. Enjoy this day. You only choose your mate once. Let me not forget about the feast the Chefs prepared for us." He gave a side smirk, leaving the stage.

As soon as he said the words my heart started beating fast. My first embarrassment was coming, no-one usually asked me for a dance, and I knew this year it wouldn't be any different.

At that moment I chose that I would go to the bathroom before the dance started. I had five minutes to disappear. People were starting to pair up for the dancing, while others were mingling amongst themselves.

I got back to my seat as the Alpha King made his annual speech about how important it is as wolves to have partners blah blah! blah! I knew that already but hearing it every year for the past six years hurt but this year I was not willing to listen. I wanted all this to be over already. So I could go back home with my disappointed father who didn’t love me anymore and my mother who was trying too hard to make me feel better.

Finally the Alpha King finished the speech and then we took a break for drinks while others started on snacks. I was nervous, it happened to me every year but it was still nerve wracking to hear names being called.

This upcoming part was what I dreaded most about this day, mostly it's because it doesn't take long to happen. It would have been great if it happened at the end of the night, but no. Not in this stupid Choosing. Just when you are about to get comfortable, this part comes, and you're still forced to stay for the entire event even if you're not chosen.

Bloody hell.

I was shaking, my hands were sweating, my heart was beating out of my chest and we still had a few minutes before the scary Beta came back with the stupid list.

Why couldn't my name be on that list, just once. Even if it was one sad lonely mutt, I could deal. I swear I could. Ow Moon Goddess give your loyal servant a hand.

This was killing me. Should I run? Would the guards even let me go outside in the garden again?

I didn't want to see those judgy eyes when list was read. I didn't want to see my father's eyes, when he realised my name was not on the list yet again.

I began to have short breaths, and my stomach dropped at that thought. I was about to leave again when I felt a hand on my arm, pulling slightly. I didn't even realise I wasn't alone anymore on my table, until I felt her touch.

"Are you okay?" I heard the voice behind me say and from the scent I knew it was the girl from the garden.

Ignicious or Ignition.

I couldn't quite remember at this terrifying moment.

"I'm fine!" I lied, taking a deep breath trying to calm my heart that was beating too fast.

"I would have been inclined to believe that, if your heart wasn't racing at three beats per seconds but I know better." She said trying to light up the mood with a small smile on her lips.

I would have joined if I didn't feel like shit, right now. Not even one suitor came my direction or even glanced my way.

"Believe what you want, I just don't care anymore." My walls were breaking In Front if this stranger, and I hated it. I think it was better when everyone stayed far from me.

At least then, I could keep my thoughts safely hidden.

"Can I ask you a question?" She said ignoring my spat.

"Now?..." I started to say but I had nothing to lose so I changed my answer "...sure why not"

"Do you want to wait for fate to give you a mate or are you willing to put everything on the line to be chosen tonight?" Her questions startled me.

I turned fast, almost having a whiplash, looking at the young girl who was talking to me, and wondering what the hell she was talking about. Did she think I liked coming here every year, and leaving without a mate?

Did she think all this torture was by choice? If I knew a way to end all this mess, of course I would do anything including selling my soul to the devil to never ever set foot back to the Choosing again.

That's why I was here in the first place right? Finding that stupid mate.

"No, I just come to this place every year for the past six years for their impeccable skills of hosting events and their delicious food." I answered Sarcastically.

"Sorry, stupid question but I need an outright answer. A consent if you may say. I don't want you or anybody to say I have forced you into this." She was serious, and I hated the hope she filled in my heart.

"Of course, I would. Fuck fate, I don't want to come here ever again. At this moment I could even marry a drunk Omega." I answered with a bitter laugh, yet another private thought slipping from my tongue.

I didn't even care that my voice was full of desperation.

"Are you sure? because once we leave this room there is no turning back. Once you've been chosen, even I can't help you. It's for life." She warned again. I knew it was the truth but I was blinded by desperation. I didn’t want to see my fathers disappointed face again, my mothers pity, or people whispering about my sister who was going to go to bed soon.

Since she got mated, I couldn't see her. Goddess knows how much I missed having my best friend around.

"I am willing to do anything to be chosen tonight. Anything." My true feelings came out. I was desperate, and I think everyone knew that by now, even though I wasn't willing to face that fact yet.

"Are you sure?" she asked me one last time, and I took a deep breath before I sold my soul to the devil herself!

"Never been sure of anything in my whole life."