Chosen

Chapter Two

    Alpha had left me alone for the last few days. However, I was allowed very little food. His punishment for the last few days was depriving me of nutrition it seemed. My body could not heal itself with the little energy it had so I was left to suffer with the broken ribs. I prayed each  night to the Goddess that I would be chosen at the mating ceremony. I needed out of this life somehow, whether it be death or finding a mate. I didn't expect a high ranking wolf to want me, but I needed out. I was tired of the punishments and torture. My body was so tired of it all. I didnt have the will to fight anymore.
 
  I was doing laundry with Lilly and Gabby when Alpha ran in. He snarled and grabbed me by the hair, dragging me out. I whimpered and cried, confused. What had I done this time? I hadn't complained or talked back at all. Lilly was holding a sobbing Gabby as Alpha drug me away. He threw me into a car and drove away from the pack house. I sat in the seat, crying.

"You forgot, Omega. The Mating Ceremony begins today. We were waiting for you. I sent the other two in the car with Jason."

    I sniffled and swiped at my nose, nodding. Alpha had failed to tell me when to be ready. I dug my nails into my palms, suddenly frightened. I was alone in a car with Alpha. Lord knew what he was going to do to me now. I kept my eyes cast down on my feet, refusing to look at him, like I was trained to do. He grabbed my chin and yanked my head up roughly. I knew his grip was going to leave bruises on my face.

"When you are at the ceremony if a wolf talks with you, you will not mention any of your punishments, you only look them in the eye if they tell you to. Am I clear, Omega?"

"Y-yes, Alpha."  I whispered and he let go of my face, settling into his seat. I curled in a ball and stared out the window. This was it. I either get chosen or I die. From the smirk on his face I had a feeling Alpha was going to interfere so he could kill me as he wanted to. I tucked my knees under my chin and sent a prayer to the Goddess for Lilly and Gabby. I already missed them. They were the only family I knew. The only people to ever show me kindness. My own parents disowned me when Alpha noticed how small and weak I was. They abandoned me as soon as he declared I was an omega, and the weakest person in our pack.
 
  I have no idea how long we drove for, but the car finally came to a stop. We were at the ceremony arena. The door opened and I was yanked out of the car roughly. I knew it was Alpha. I let him drag me without protesting. I didn't care. I didn't have the fight in me anymore to try to stop him.

"Alpha Mark. I'm Matron Catherine. I was assigned to one of your girls."

"Which one?"
  
Alpha let go of me suddenly when she approached him. I stumbled and landed on my hands and knees with a cry.

"Adalynn."

"Ah. This is Adalynn, right here." Alpha sneered my name and pushed me to Matron Catherine. She caught me and glared at Alpha. I felt her anger rolling off of her. She could tell how he treated me.

"Thank you, Alpha Mark. I'll get to prepping her for the banquet tonight. You must go with the males. We keep everyone separated until a female is chosen."

"I know how these ceremonies work. This is my fifth one. Adalynn. Remember what I said."

   With that Alpha turned on his heel and left. I relaxed slightly and brushed dirt from my hands. Catherine turned to me and sighed.

"Let's go. We have a lot of work to do with you. Your alpha... does he beat you?"

"Y-yes. H-h-he does. A-al-alpha says I'm weak. I-I-I deserve it."   I whispered, keeping my eyes on the ground. Her hand went under my chin and she gently lifted my face, her eyes meeting mine.

"I will make sure you are chosen by an alpha male. You deserve nothing but the best, child. After the life you've endured, you will have happiness. I am so sorry that you are mistreated. Let's go."

    I bit my lip and followed her inside. She zipped past other she wolves, not letting go of my arm once. We got to a room and I gasped when I saw it. The bed was huge, the room was bright and warm.

"This is your room."

"Mine?"

"Yes."

"I-I-I've never had one before."

"A room?"

"No.... a bed." I whispered and Catherine gasped, a bit shocked. I ran my hands on the duvet and smiled. It was so soft and clean. This room was perfect. Even if I didn't get chosen, and this was the last place I slept before I died, this was perfect. It made me so happy. To just have a bed. At least I would spend my last few days in comfort. Catherine shut the door and drug me to the bathroom. She stripped me and looked me over. Her eyes watered and she covered her mouth. Her eyes filled with tears at the condition I was in. I sunk into the bath with a groan. It had been forever since I had a warm bath. Catherine had left the room while I bathed.
   
After a while, I decided it was time to get out of the tub. I wrapped myself in a towel and stared in the mirror. My firey hair fell in my face and my eyes were less lifeless looking. For the first time in years, a glimmer of hope shone in them. I touched my face and sighed. There were bruises were Alpha grabbed me on the way here. My door opened and Catherine walked in with a man. I lowered my eyes.

"See, Blake? She's being tortured. We have to get her a mate. I'm pretty sure her Alpha has threatened to kill her.."

"N-n-no. He-he plans to kill me if I am not chosen. I-I-I am w-w-worthless and a b-b-burden to the pack." I whispered and the man's eyes snapped to mine instantly. He looked angry. I gasped and looked down quickly. I offended him. I was going to be punished. I started trembling.

"No one will kill you, child. You will be chosen. I have the perfect match for you.  Catherine, prep her. She will sit with you and your brother."

"Blake... is that a good idea?"

"It's her only chance. She catches his eye and she's safe. The king is her only chance. No Alpha is going to go for her. I'm sure Mark has threatened them all to not take her. An Alpha or the king is her only hope for survival."

"Okay. Come. Let's get you ready."
   
    Blake left and Catherine began to work on my face. She was layering make up on me, hiding the bruises she knew the gown wouldn't. When she was finished, and I was dressed, I stood gazing in the mirror at myself. I had never worn anything so fine before. I had never seen myself as pretty before either. Catherine was a miracle worker. I smiled at myself and touched my face awed. I was beautiful.

"You are absolutely gorgeous. So innocent looking too. You're prefect. Let's go, Addy."

   Catherine held her hand out for me to take and I grabbed it, blushing. She smiled and pushed my chin up.

"Chin up, dear. Shoulders back. You will be chosen. You are also allowed to look at the others. Don't worry. While you're here your Alpha cannot touch you. Let's go."

   I did as she said and kept my eyes up. I let her lead me down to the banquet hall. Suddenly I had the fight back in me. I was going to be chosen. I was going to survive this.