Ch 003: The Selection

[ Aysel ]

One by one, the girls step forward.

Each announces her full name and pack, then slips out of her robe, standing naked before the gathering. They turn slowly and gracefully, completing a full circle, letting every powerful gaze roam freely over their bodies.

From what I’ve observed, coupled with Maelis’ whispered briefings, the men each hold two fans: gold and blue.

Gold equals Tier One. Girls who fall under this category are prized consorts. Favorites. Claimed by only two elites at most.

The blue fan marks Tier Two. The harem daughters. Shared by as many as five elites.

Those who receive nothing? They fall under Tier Three. They’re sex slaves. Handed to soldiers and guards, used and discarded at will.

Which meant Liora and Seren weren’t lying.

Ugly knots form in my throat, crushing me with fear and unease. My palms turn slick with sweat.

Oh gods… just this once, spare me.

Then Liora steps forward. I hold my breath as I watch her.

She moves like a predator, hips swaying, aura dripping confidence and seduction. Men lean forward, their interests spiking. Low whispers ripple through the hall.

Lycan King Raegon remains still, just watching.

Liora curtsies deeply, first to him, then to the rest of the gathering.

“My name is Liora Ashwyn,” she says smoothly. “Daughter of the Lumiville Pack.”

She undresses slowly.

When her robe pools at her feet, gasps ripple around me. Even Maelis exhales sharply.

“She’s… stunning,” Maelis whispers. “Oh gods.”

My chest twists painfully as I remember her a week ago riding Sylas while he touched her like she’s a goddess he worshipped. That body shattered every dream I had.

Liora finishes her turn, chin high, pride gleaming in her eyes.

One after another, hands rise. I count them with my eyes. Eleven, all gold. The highest number so far.

By rule, she’ll be given to the two most powerful among them. But Liora isn’t smiling like any girl in her shoes would.

Her gaze flicks to the throne. Lycan King Raegon hasn’t raised his fan. In fact, he isn’t looking at her anymore.

Instead, he’s talking quietly with his Beta, lips curling into a small, amused smile.

I avert my eyes to Liora. The crack in her pride is visible even from here.

When Liora returns and returns to the line, she brushes past me roughly, shoulder slamming into mine. I stumble but catch myself.

“Next.” Madam Sheiza announces.

My blood freezes. Oh gods. It’s me.

“Good luck.” Maelis whispers.

I force a thin smile and step forward.

The hall is unnervingly silent. My heartbeat roars in my ears. Lycan King Raegon remains turned slightly away, deep in conversation with his Beta. 

Strangely, that steadies me. I don’t think I could survive his gaze.

“My name is Aysel Ashwyn,” I say, voice trembling despite my effort to remain steady. “Daughter of the Lumiville Pack.”

Shaking fingers undo my robe. It falls. I keep my head bowed as their eyes pierce me, taking in my bare skin.

Slowly, I turn a full circle.

The silence doesn’t break. Not even a whisper, or a single movement.

My heart sinks, a bitter bile rising up my throat. Why am I even feeling bad over the rejection? I knew it. I knew I wouldn’t…

“That’s impossible,” Madam Sheiza breathes, breaking through the ice of quiet. “It can’t be.”

Gasps erupt around the hall, and mutters spread like wildfire.

Confused and shaking, I lift my head. And my breath hitches at once.

Every fan is raised. Every single one. All gold. 

My eyes widen as I look around in disbelief, my gaze landing on Maelis. She looks just as stunned as I feel. 

This… this can’t be real.

Within seconds, the hall erupts, voices clashing and tempers flaring.

Over me.

“Step back, Alpha Kane,” one man snarls. “This one is mine. Or have you forgotten that my rank stands above yours?”

Kane bares his teeth, ready to strike back, but another voice cuts in coldly.

“That’s nonsense, Alpha Rivers. You’re nothing more than a low-ranking Alpha compared to me. By rule, the girl belongs to me.”

The argument grows louder while I just stand there frozen, naked and trembling, my mind struggling to understand why powerful men are fighting over someone like me.

Then my eyes lift. And meet his.

Lycan King Raegon.

My knees weaken instantly, dread flooding my veins so fast I feel dizzy. I drop my gaze at once, unable to face him. I’ve never felt so exposed, so humiliated, standing bare before such a gathering.

My thoughts halt when I hear slow, heavy footsteps descending from the podium.

The hall falls into instant silence. I don’t need to look to know who it is.

My breathing turns uneven. My hands clasp together in front of me, fingers shaking, shoulders trembling despite my effort to stay still. Tears burn behind my eyes, threatening to fall.

He stops in front of me.

All I can see are his boots, polished and dark, planted inches away.

Cold fear grips me when his fingers touch my chin firmly, yet gentle, lifting my face.

The moment my eyes meet with his piercing silver ones, I swallow hard, tears spilling down my cheeks.

He studies me closely, brows drawn together as he cocks his head slightly, as though I’m a puzzle he doesn’t understand. His fingers against my skin feel wrong and right all at once; cold, yet burning, sending a strange warmth through me.

Then he leans in.

His nose brushes the side of my neck as he inhales deeply.

I shudder.

The warmth of him, the closeness, his breath against my skin… it makes my body react in ways I don’t understand. My breaths turn fast and shallow, embarrassment flooding me.

He pulls back slowly, eyes never leaving mine.

“For a moment,” he says, his voice deep and heavy, vibrating through his chest, “I would have thought you were my mate… if your scent wasn’t dull. Still….” his gaze drops to my trembling body, then lifts again. “surprisingly addictive.”

His eyes darken. “You are a rare kind of beauty, little one. Rare enough to capture the interest of every male in this hall.”

I don’t speak. I just focus on breathing, terrified I’ll collapse right here.

Then he turns, facing the gathering.

“I’m taking this one.”

A shaky breath escapes me, half disbelief, half horror. I clamp my lips shut to keep from sobbing.

Oh gods… no. Please, no.

Murmurs ripple through the hall, but no one dares challenge him. One by one, they bow in acceptance of his claim. I catch the looks Liora and Seren throw my way; sharp, hateful, and burning with jealousy.

If only they know how badly I want anyone else to choose me. Anyone, but him.

The rest of the event blurs past me. I barely register any of it until we’re lined up again, dismissed from the court.

Madam Sheiza leads me away to a separate room. I feel the stares as I pass. Stares heavy with awe, envy, and disbelief.

They change me out of my robe, dressing me quickly and carefully in an exquisite gown that’s rich and elegant, far too beautiful for someone like me. My hair is styled, and my skin perfumed. 

Everything feels unreal.

When they guide me into the waiting car and the doors shut, my body finally starts to shake.

Lycan King Raegon hasn’t chosen a woman in years. And the first one he picks after all that time… is me?

None of it makes sense.

Madam Sheiza’s earlier words back in the dressing room echoes in my mind.

“He has the smallest harem of all,” she’d said while tightening my corset. “Only three women.”

She met my eyes in the mirror. “All of them keep to themselves. Except one: Haelyn.”

I remember swallowing hard.

“She is his favorite. Powerful, overly possessive and devoted. She does not tolerate rivals. Avoid her at all costs.” Her gaze sharpened. “I don’t know what you did in that hall to captivate him… but judging by how innocent you are, you have no idea what you’re walking into.”

The car slows.

I look up just as the towering packhouse comes into view.

My palms turn clammy.

I’m here. Right in the place that is bound to destroy me.