The Society.

Chapter one.

I stood between my mother and older brother at the front row of the Resindas. It was the selected Werewolf grounds and was found just outside The Society gates by the woods.
The Alphas of all the five packs sat at the top of the podium. All around me people spoke in hushed tones trying to figure out those nominated for The Court.
For one to even be considered for The Court they must be:
1. Not be mated.
2. Not have children.
3. Not be a pup.
Some people lived their lives dreaming of the opportunity to join the Court. It was an easy life that consisted of living in The Prime City with all that one would desire being provided. That was only if they were one of the two to make it out alive from the Selection. They'd live in The Prime City where they'd spend the rest of their days, not even allowed to reproduce or return to their pack.
The only problem is one couldn't refuse to go because they would be forcefully taken by some Demon guards from The Prime City. The Court was considered a balance that we were forced to participate in. That we had caused. Defiance would lead to punishment. For generations this went on. We couldn't stop it as it was a tradition that all followed.
This system involved giving out our best, saying it was a way to keep us happy, to try and make us believe we had any power in the controlling of The Society even after what we had done. A display of kindness, they called it. When in the Court one could inform the King of any of our problems even though they never came back so I wondered how'd they know of our problems.
We all knew the Vampires ruled The Society. It was painfully obvious. Our King was a Vampire and always has been. The Vampires lived in The Prime City while we lived in the woods. We did prefer it that way since no conflicts arose and we loved the woods but still...they didn't truly leave us alone. We had Demon guards constantly watching our progress and reporting to the King.
From the time of birth, all those considered to have the potential to make The Court are forced to go through vigorous training, mostly physical since Werewolves didn't have much access to books. Our strength was the only thing that others expected of us.
When it came to finding ones mate, although it was something that brought joy, for some it brought about distaste as some so it as a waste of talents while others chose rejection as a better alternative.
My brother found his mate about two months ago. Everyone always thought that he would be the one to be nominated and were disappointed since they believed he would make a good Court member that would bring great changes. It wasn't so bad since now that left our pack with a capable Alpha to take over after my father dies.
For months we had all been going through vigorous tests by The Prime City to pick those of us who would be best suited for The Court.
I was really nervous since being in The Court made your fate set. Death...and if you survive, your fellow Werewolves would constantly be sending you letters telling you to change this and that or how you simply aren't doing enough or how your forgetting your people but then again they never replied. Worst of all you would pretty much not be able to get your mate. Since you wouldn't be let to go back to your pack even after your reign is over. You lived out in The Prime City all alone till your death. Children were forbidden while in the Court. But then again not everyone met their mate since some of their mates were from other sectors. Mating with someone from another sector was forbidden. Going against it was punishable by death. The Prime City wasn't about to start dealing with any half breeds that could lead to uprisings. It didn't really affect the others because us Werewolves are the ones who feel the mate bond. The other sectors don't feel it or maybe they found a way to ignore it.
I could tell the Alphas were worried as they never trusted The Prime City but not much could be done. They finished discussing whatever it was and my father, who happened to be the leader of our pack walked over to the microphone with some sheets of paper in his hands. Everyone grew silent as he cleared his throat into the mic. He kept a calm deminor to keep us all relaxed.
"Good afternoon. For those who do not know me, I am Alpha James Forza of the Shadow pack. I am here to announce the werewolves that have been chosen to represent us in this years selection.
From the Cresent pack we have Lauren Tast ," from my right side, members of The Cresent pack hooted and cheered as a tall, well-built guy walks up the stage, his hands in the air, instigating the crowd. He wore a fitting black tee shirt, khaki shorts and black combat boots. He was rather good looking. He had curly black hair that reached just below his ears and dark green eyes. His markings were evident, peeking at his sleeves. Their pattern meant he was a Beta child. He smiled at the crowd causing most of the non-mated females to swoon. From his smile, it was pretty obvious that he knew he was handsome. I couldn't help but stare at him even though he wasn't my mate. The cheering finally died down. Thus my father continued.
"From the Eclipse pack, Orvis..." A man with the build of a giant gets on to the stage in just a few strides. He wore black fitting shorts and no shirt nor shoes. He had long dark hair and dark brown eyes that had a psychotic look in them. His markings were on full display, he was a normal. He had a grin plastered on his face. He looked as old as my father, so I assumed he either rejected his mate or hadn't found her. His pack members cheered him on, they all looked like giants.
"From the Harvest Pack, Zarra Hale," I smiled and cheered with the rest of the crowd recognizing the first female to be chosen. She had dark waist length hair that had been tied up in a pony tail and striking green eyes. She was curvy and fit, a look that was common among werewolf females. She wore a black tank top, black shorts and black combat boots. I had heard alot about her. I couldn't see her markings but I knew her parents had been normal wolves with no title. She had made history by managing to turn at a young age of seven, the usual age being fourteen. I had met her a few times when she helped train me.
"Next we have Erik Walsh from the Crimson pack." A guy with white hair gets on the stage swiftly. His hair is so obviously bleached since all werewolves have black or brown hair and since he looked slightly older than me it couldn't have been from age. It reached halfway down his neck. He had piercing blue eyes and he wore a black t-shirt, grey shorts and black combat boots. His markings were of an Alpha child. He defiantly refused to smile making his cheers die down as soon as he gets on the stage. For a moment we are a bit confused wondering if he might be punished. The Prime City made it known that we are all to be happy about the whole Court Selection or there might be consequences.
"From the Shadow pack we have Seraya Forza." It takes me a few seconds to realize my name had been called. I first look at my mum who is trying to put on a brave face but for a brief second I see the pain in her eyes. I'm shoved towards the stage when it becomes obvious I won't do it myself. I remember all the years of training and smile with my right hand in the air. I pull myself up the side of the stage ignoring the stairs. The crowds cheering stops as I stand beside Erik on the stage. All kind of thoughts race through my mind. Will I survive or do I even want to. I'm pulled out of my thoughts by a girl who stands beside me. She must have been the last nominee. All the alphas say a few words and then we are all let to go home for our final night with our packs.