The Archer: Lost Omegas Book 1

Refusal

CYRENE

Looking out at the women before her, women she had served with for years, she only felt nausea. The bile rising up in her throat. They were not lined up, shoulder to shoulder, as soldiers- they were instead here to be appraised, inspected, gone over as women. And then if these Lobo warriors deemed them "worthy" their own Commander would try to goad them into sacrificing themselves for the greater good. Like each of them had not given up their lives, their freedom as citizens, just like all the men of the Skulk. It made her sick with the betrayal. Surely if the Lobo had asked for men, alphas, the King and the Commander would have put up some sort of resistance. Yet here they were, standing next to their own horses like cattle for the cull.

Seventeen of her female archers stood at the front, four were still injured, but healthy enough to stand without aid. The other thirty-three women were a variety of Espias, Mounts, and a few Grounds. None were Leads, Cyrene was the only female in the Skulk that had earned that title. It was almost strange to see her fellow soldiers without their fox masks or face paint. They wore both for training and battle, to honor their Fox God. Walking down the line of women, nodding at several she knew well, she felt that sinking, bitterness fill her gut. This was wrong. This would bring no honor.

The Commander and six Leads accompanied King Laran, Lord Deimos, and the greyed warrior, who Cyrene had learned was Lord Claeg, to the gathering of women. The Lobo men seemed excited, anxious. Eyes bright as they surveyed the lines of women before them. The other Raposo leads and the Commander kept their faces carefully devoid of expression.

Stepping forward, the Commander bellowed, "You know why you are gathered. Our King has promised seventy-five women to each of the Lobo Lords to return to their villages as wives for their warriors in payment for their alliance against the Serpe. Twenty women will be chosen from ten of the largest villages and fifty from the King's Village." He stopped and took a breath. The pause was long. It gave Cyrene a minute of hope, perhaps he had changed his mind. Perhaps he would not present the Skulk women with the other part of the vile arrangement with the Lobo. The glimmer of hope was quickly snuffed out as he continued, "The Lobo King believes that women of the Skulk are worth more to their villages than a civilian. If you are chosen, you will take the place of three women from your home village. Or the village closest to your home. You would make this sacrifice for all Raposo. For our survival against the Serpe, whose army, until yesterday, outnumbered us. You must make this choice willingly. If you refuse, there will be no punishment, no repercussions."

As the Commander finished his speech, King Laran stepped forward to his side. "I will walk among you, dismiss those we do not desire for our own."

Cyrene barely held back a snarl at the insult. Any of these women would be beyond worthy for your warriors you vile, disgusting man.

Lord Demios stepped forward then, moving to the very last female in the last line. . He bent down slightly and inhaled.

He's scenting her!? What the hell is this? She stepped forward, but Lead Ground Jaecar grabbed her upper arm stopping her. He shook his head to tell her not to interfere. She know she was already on the Commander's shit list for her earlier stunt in the tent. Ripping her arm out of his grasp, she straightened her back and could only watch helpless, as Lord Deimos scented her Skulk sisters.

"Dismissed." Lord Demios ordered harshly, standing straight again and moving to the adjacent woman.

Cyrene let out a breath of relief. Great, only forty-nine to go.

Repeating the process, he once again uttered, "dismissed." The same with the next four. Cyrene felt a slight weight removed from her shoulders. Perhaps he would not find whatever it was he was looking for in these women.