Chosen

Chapter Four

    I jerked awake at the sound of my door opening. It was still dark and I was still wrapped in Axels jacket. My head snapped to the door and there stood Alpha Mark. My eyes widened and I immediately looked away, but he noticed I had stared at him for a moment. With a snarl he lunged at me and drug me from the bed. I hit the floor with a thud.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing? Giving the king hopes that he can have you, walking around dressed like a slut."

    He sent a kick to my already injured ribs, I screeched in pain. I knew what he had planned. He was angry with me. But I had followed his rules. I didn't speak unless spoken to, didn't look at anyone unless they told me to. He jerked me up by my hair and clawed at my collar bone, opening the scar. I began sobbing, knowing what he was doing. Alpha Mark was intent on ruining me so he could torture me until I died once the ceremony ended and I was unclaimed. I shut down, ignoring the pain of this beating.

  I have no idea how long he beat me for. I stopped fighting, knowing that just made it worse. Eventually, he stopped and left me on the floor curled in a ball. As he walked out the door, he gave me one last kick.

"If I hear the King has picked you as his chosen... I will come back and I will ruin you completely. He'll smell me on you and change his mind."
 
  Alpha Mark laughed and closed my door. I sat up and began sobbing. He was making it impossible for me to save myself. He didn't want me to exist at all. I was bad. Worthless. Good for nothing. I didn't deserve to live. Eventually I picked myself up off the floor and cleaned my blood. After I finished cleaning the floor, I cleaned myself. The wound on my collar bone healed over. But my body couldn't manage my ribs yet. I knew I was littered in new bruises.
 
  I got out of the shower and walked to my room. Just as I walked towards my bed the door opened and I jumped, afraid it was Alpha Mark. Catherine walked in and frowned at me. She inhaled and growled.

"He hurt you again, didn't he? Your alpha came in and beat you?"

"I-I-I'm fine...."
 
  Her eyes widened and she snarled, yanking the towel from my body. I whimpered and tried covering myself, knowing I was littered in bruises and scars. Cat gasped and her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide as she saw everything. She silently began to cry and walked out of the room. I sank to the floor and began sobbing. If she could barely stand the sight of me, how would the male that chose me. After about half an hour the door opened again and Cat came back in with Blake and a doctor. Blake sat next to me and sighed when he saw the bruises.

"I brought a doctor. Cat told me. You'll be okay. I'm sure the king is going to chose you. He was completely enchanted by you last night."

"N-n-no! A-alpha said that i-if the king chose me, A-alpha w-would come back and he w-would rape me."
 
  Catherine screeched at that and Blake growled. I trembled, frightened and unsure. Blake seemed to notice and calmed himself, dismissing the doctor as I refused care. Cat dressed me and did my hair and make up like yesterday. She walked with me down stairs, making sure no one did anything to me. Walking was a little painful but I managed. She sat me down at a spot isolated away from the rest of the wolves. I clutched Axels jacket in my lap. I had made sure no blood had gotten on it. I kept my eyes down and away from everyone.
 
   I was stating at my hands, biting my lip and holding back tears when I heard the chair in front of me move. I peeked up and saw Axel. He smiled at me and I blushed. This man did something to me and it was new.

"Adalynn, you can look at me."

    My eyes snapped to his face and I sniffled. His eyes scanned my face and landed on a bruise.

"What happened little one?"

"I-I-I.... um... A-alpha came a-and..."

"Alpha Mark beat the hell out of her last night." Catherine snarled, glaring in the direction of Alpha Mark. I peeked over and saw him sitting with a female. She was beautiful. She giggled at something he said and I immediately looked away before he saw me. My eyes stung with tears. Axels eyes switched to gold and he stood up with a growl.

"Adalyn. Is what she's saying true?"

"I-I-I.... I deserved it. I disobeyed my Alpha."  At my confirmation, Axel growled and stomped over to Alpha Mark. Alpha Mark looked surprised that the king would approach him. I knew Axel wasn't in control but his wolf. For some reason his wolf had chosen me and it was angry. I jumped to my feet when I saw Axel grab Alpha Mark by his neck. Cat held me back as Blake approached the two males.

"You two need to knock it off. Axel, you're scaring the poor girl. You can fight tomorrow at the ceremony."
 
  Axel let go of Alpha Mark with a glare. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Axel turned and walked back over, plopping down into his chair. Catherine motioned to my chair and I sat down. Axel looked me over, his eyes apologetic.

"I didn't mean to scare you, little one."

"It's okay. Cat reacted almost the same this morning. Axel... I brought your jacket."
 
  I clutched it close and he smiled at me.

"Keep it. You need comfort and I get the feeling that jacket brings you some sense of safety." 

"Thank you."

"What are you doing for the talent portion this evening?"
 
  I looked at him confused. I thought that was tomorrow. Cat giggled.

"The talent portion was moved to tonight. Then in the morning, the males will state who they choose and the fights begin."

"Oh... i... I suppose I'll sing."

     Cat smiled at me and Axel nodded. Blake walked over and whispered something to Axel. Axels head snapped to me and he sighed.

"I have some business to take care of, I'll see you tonight. Don't leave Cats side. She'll keep you safe."
 
  Axel stood and placed a kiss on my forehead before turning and walking away.