The Alpha's Games

Four

The next morning I am literally pushed out of my bed.

For minutes I lie on the floor draped in orange blankets as my escort lectures me.

I have not yet earned the privilege to know her name. She rambles on about how I must make an impression to both Chris and the entirety of Deneb today. She squeals at Livia to not ruin her plans on making me perfect. Livia who usually seems happy, is catching a temper with my escort. I slouch as Livia does my makeup, a prominent frown visible to everyone in this room. I have ruined my slim chances at making any sort of impression on Chris. I broke an important rule, and everyone knows how much Chris values rules. Now I will probably be punished in an impossible cruel manner and die a brutal death.

Still my face is made into a girly look. My lips are a soft, rose pink. My cheekbones are highlighted so much I look like I've been touched by the suns rays. I am dressed in a simple summer dress and my hair is curled to make me look young. Vulnerable. Innocent. Perhaps Livia thinks this will be the best way to seek approval.

"There" she states " you will be different."
"What do you mean?" I ask thinking of all the other girls. Surely they will be dressed like me, if not less makeup.
"You will see" she says while patting my thigh.

Then she ushers me up, forcing me to squeeze into some heels. Quietly we walk down the golden hallways and I take each second of this delicious silence, thankful for it. We walk into an open, sunny waiting room that is empty at the moment. Confused I raise my eyebrow but seal my lips shut and sit on an ocean blue colored couch. Then I pull off my heels and rub my feet, attempting to soothe them from an ache. Heels have never been my thing, the same goes for dresses.

"The others are spending time getting ready" my escort says snappily " I made your look quick so Chris will be more interested in you. He often gets tired of the others as interviews continue."

I nod my head grateful for her hopefulness. Little does she know my chances for living are slim. My personality is easily dislikable. My looks are not ugly but not outstanding. I stutter over my words when having a simple conversation and to top it off I have made myself look like a rule breaker in the eyes of Chris.

The moment he opens a glass door and sees me sitting his eyes immediately light up. Pretending as if we have never met he smiles at me and chats with my escort. Her tone is no longer bitter but polite. Gentle. Acting as if he were her son. I slip on my heels, take a pump of hand sanitizer and stand to greet him.

"So who is this lovely lady?" He says innocently and I try my best to not roll my eyes.
" Caliana" I say sweetly even though I want to snap at him.

He smiles slyly before taking my hand and shaking it. Then he motions to the glass door and I walk over shyly. Once outside Chris breaks his facade.

"So she has a name" he says cockily. I bite my tongue to prevent mimicking him.
"Oh we are not going to start with that silent thing you do are we? It would be such a shame you know."
"What do you want me to say?" I snap.
"There are a couple things I want you to say, but not here. Unless you like it...." he is teasing but butterflies flutter softly in my stomach.
"Didn't I tell you I'm not here to find a lover? I'm here to win."
"Of course freckles" the sun warmly shines on us as we step into the view of cameras " but that's what everyone wants."

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Before the cameras roll I am sat down on a plush chair and perfected. My makeup is patted down. My hair made sure every strand is perfect. The smell of hairspray in the air makes my eyes tear up. The crew tells me to sit cross legged and wear a bright smile on my face. I am poked. Prodded. Told how to say things. Told to avoid certain sensitive topics, like the mysterious beast that has been causing the Alphard pack misery. Then my face is angled, my dress flattened so it has no wrinkles. I don't want any of these people to touch me, yet they do.

"Ready?" The camera man whispers softly.

I hold my my thumb and charmingly smile. In the corner of my eye I see a red continuously blinking light and I know all of Deneb sees me. Chris walks into the set and I have to act as if I've never met him. I pretend to be excited, shake his hand and giggle like a love struck teen would. He asks for my name smoothly and it oddly terrifies me at how well he is at hiding things from other people. The wind lightly blows through the trees and the overwhelming smell of roses drifts past us.

" Caliana" He says " let's find out about you. Don't you think Deneb would like that?"

I shyly avert my eyes to the floor before answering with a sweet 'yes.' If I can pretend to want to be on this reality show, I can make it out alive.

"Were you a fan of the games as a kid?"

No.

"Of course!" I say " who isn't? Ever since I was a little girl before you took over I watched your father. He was always so.. amazing with the way things were planned. My mother would say I took inspiration from him."

Lies. Lies. Lies. A small glint of disbelief flits across his seagreen eyes but he doesn't speak up. He just covers up his emotions with a charming smile.

"I myself am wondering, what are you trying to gain from this experience?"

Whoever comes up with these questions should be smacked. If I'm not dead I would like to recover!

"Perhaps to become stronger" I lie making Chris momentarily look at me strangely " and maybe find a .. lover?"

Every time someone has won is because of some wild story they spun. One girl would act like a cat, which made the audience laugh. Another boy would be a heart felt soldier type, where he was fighting to get back to the love of his life. Every single winner in these games only walks out alive if they are deemed interesting enough to the citizens of Deneb and Chris.

"Really?" He says " have you found anyone?"
"Yes" I say quickly " indeed I have."

I can tell he wants to say something else but knowing he's on cameras he stops. Clear his throat before smilig into the camera.

"And that is all the time we have today! Calianna and I say goodbye until later."

A loud snap is heard before the people informt of me begin to shuffle. They are laughing and filling clear mugs with a gritty drink. Some point their fingers at me and raise their, maybe I could be the new drama around here.

"Come I'll walk you back," I avert my eyes up and take Chris's hand to stand.

We walk for a quick moment of silence until out of reach from everyone else. I let go of this awkward hand hold and cross my arms over my chest.

"Lover?" He questions teasingly " you seem too impossibly uptight to want of those. Maybe it's for the best, someone needs to unwind you."

My mouth falls ajar and I turn to him in shock. He isn't watching me but looking ahead and cockily smiling. I will not let him have the victory of manipulating my story so I play along.

"Well I am sneaking away in the late night to someone. A person who's bed I warm."
"Hmm" He says " I guess that's a shame. Such a shame to not be able to have you to myself freckles. I guess I'll have some competition."

I chuckle lightly for some peculiar reason. Then a blush seeps onto my cheeks and I rub my arm up and down. We are about to step back into the view of escorts and drooling contestants when he grabs my wrist. Holding tightly he stares into my eyes. We are so close I almost feel an electric buzz between us. A chill crawls up my spin and I tell myself I'm being stupid.

"I just want you to know freckles" he says charmingly and my heart races in my ears " I am very good at winning in competitions."

How is it so far? Anything I should fix?