Chosen

Chapter Three.

   I held my chin up, trying to seem more confident than I was. I could do this. I would be chosen. I was worthy of a mate. I repeated this over and over in my head. Alpha was wrong.  I would survive. Catherine held my hand tightly, leading me to the holding room for the she wolves. We walked in and their chatter stopped as they all saw me. I blushed and felt my heart start to race. Catherine drug me with her to a group of three girls.

"Ladies. This is Adalynn."

"Adalynn, this is Marie, Amber and Crysta."

"Hi."
   
I murmured softly and the girls giggled. I bit my lip and toyed with my hair, nervous. One of the girls let her eyes wander my form and smiled at me warmly.

"Welcome. I take it this is your first time here?"

"Y-yes."

"Ah. It will definitely be your only mating ceremony. You are so beautiful. You'll be chosen fast."
 
  I giggled and Catherine smiled at me. She was proud of the work she did on me. The girls began chatting about how they planned to impress the male wolves. I caught glimpses of the things they were going to do. I decided to just be myself. Answer questions honestly and follow the other girls lead. Catherine was chatting with her friends excitedly. Tomorrow, there was a breakfast for everyone to meet their potential matches. So any male that was interested after dinner could have a private breakfast with the she wolf and ask her questions, get to know her and decide if she was what he wanted. According to the girls, then on the last day there was a talent portion and after each of the she wolves finished, the claiming portion begun. This was where male wolves claimed which female they wanted and the girls with more than one male, had to watch the males fight for her. Whoever wins the fight wins the she wolf. A cough sounded through the room and the chatter died down. Catherine grabbed my hand again and smiled reassuringly.

"Alright ladies, go with your Matrons to the banquet. Your Matron will sit you where they believe you will find your matches. Good luck!"
 
  Catherine kept me back while the girls and their Matrons rushed through the doors. I was grateful because I would have panicked trying to push through them all. Once the holding area was empty, Catherine tugged my hand to let me know to follow her. I willingly followed behind her through the doors. The room was filled with chatter, which stopped when I walked in. I could feel all the eyes on me. Most of them male. They were raking my body, clouded with lust. I shuddered and tried to hide myself behind Cat. The looks I was getting made me uncomfortable. I felt like a piece of meat with all the stares I was getting. I followed closely behind Cat and eventually she stopped.

"Brother."

"Little sister. Who did you decide to match me with?" 
  
  Cat tugged me from behind her and I locked eyes with the man. His eyes were a beautiful blue, icy and soothing. His eyes widened as they looked me up and down. I blushed deeply and bit my lip. Cat giggled and motioned for me to sit.

"Axel, this is Adalynn. Addy, this is Axel."
 
  I sat across from him and began toying with my hair, nervous. I peeked at him through my lashes and he was watching me intensely. Cat sat down and began chatting with the man across from her. I looked everywhere but at Axel, which seemed to annoy him. He growled softly and I flinched, frightened.

"Look at me, Adalynn."
 
  My eyes snapped to his face and I blushed again. The man was breathtaking. His eyes shifted from the blue to a gold. His wolf was surfacing. He was fighting to keep control. I giggled and he smiled brightly.

"You're beautiful, little one."

"Thank you, your majesty. Catherine is a miracle worker with make up."
 
  He raised an eyebrow and looked at his sister. She shrugged and smiled.

"Addy, make up brings out natural beauty. I didn't do much, sweetie. You are naturally attractive."

"Oh."
 
  I blushed and hid behind my hair, earning a chuckle from the king. He leaned forward and examined me more.

"How old are you?"

"I'm twenty one. I just turned twenty one this year."

"So this is your first mating season?"

"Yes. It is. I'm hoping that I get chosen. I-if I dont... m-my Alpha w-w-won't be pleased."
  
   I stuttered and shuddered when a breeze hit me. The king looked at me worried and shrugged from his jacket, he stood and walked to my side of the table, placing his jacket on my shoulders.

"Who is your alpha, sweetheart?"
 
  Blake asked, my head jerked  in his direction and the king glared at him. I suppose he didn't like the interruption.

"Well?" Axel prodded with a raised brow. I sighed and looked at my hands in my lap.

"Alpha Mark. I belong to Rivermist."

"Hm..."   Axel murmured and began eating. I nibbled on the food, not used to such rich flavors and so much food. Every so often I would catch him staring at me, watching me curiously. I stopped eating when my ribs began to irritate me. I was exhausted. It had to be late. Cat noticed and smiled at me.

"Just a bit longer and then you can go to bed. Dinner will be dismissed momentarily."
  
She whispered and Axels head snapped in our direction. His eyes landed on my trembling form, worry crinkling his brow. He spoke to Blake who announced dinner was done and we could retire. Axel stood up and I followed suit, handing him his jacket.

"I'll see you at breakfast, little one."
 
   I blushed as he walked away, wrapping the jacket back around me. Catherine giggled and when he was gone she led me away and to my room.

"You did great! My brother seems to have taken to you! Good job! Get some rest. Tomorrow is breakfast. My room is across the hall if you need anything."
 
    I nodded and she left. I waited for the door to close and slid out of my dress, into the clothes I arrived in. I washed the make up off and crawled into bed, snuggling under the soft duvet. It felt amazing to lay on a bed for a change. I let exhaustion take me and fell asleep wrapped in Axels jacket.