Chapter 2: The CONCUBINE SELECTION CEREMONY

Astrid’s POV

I stood in front of the mirror while mother fussed with my hair, Scarlett sat on the bed, occasionally getting up, limping over, to make an adjustment. The ankle she'd twisted in yesterday's accident clearly was aching, but that didn't keep her off my case.

"Mother, not like that," Scarlett said, wincing as she put weight on her ankle. "Astrid's hair should be swept to the side, not pulled back."

My mother obediently rearranged my hair, while I watched, feeling like a doll being dressed up. Scarlett's eyes narrowed as she examined me.

"The makeup is not enough," she said, taking a lip gloss from the dresser and applying it to my lips. "You need to look perfect, Astrid. The alpha's concubine must be flawless."

I felt a surge of resentment but tried to push it down. It was all for Scarlett, anyway. My mother stepped back to survey her work.

"Beautiful," she said, smiling.

But I knew it wasn't me she was referring to. It was Scarlett-her loving, admiring daughter. I could feel the painful sting of hurt-a well-trod path that I swiftly ushered into nonexistence. Not today. This day belonged to Scarlett.

Everyday belonged to Scarlett.

Scarlett hobbled up to me, her eyes burning with purpose. "Now, Astrid, listen properly. I'll say it just once, which means you actually have to listen to what's said and-".

"First, you'll curtsy upon meeting the alpha. Deep and respectful. Then, you'll greet him with a smile and a bow of your head. You don't speak unless spoken to, and you always refer to him as 'Alpha'."

I mouthed the words to myself in my head, trying to commit them to memory.

"What about the forks?" I asked, remembering Scarlett's earlier instructions.

"Use the fork on the outside first," Scarlett said, her voice so patient. "And don't eat too much. You want to appear delicate and refined."

I nodded, my head reeling at the amount of information Scarlett was unloading on me.

"And, Astrid?" Scarlett's voice was low, a menace. "If you fail, you'll have nowhere to come back to. Do you understand?"

I swallowed hard, feeling a chill run down my spine. I knew Scarlett was capable of carrying out her threats.

"Yes, I understand," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Scarlett's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Good. Now, let's get you dressed."

My mother dressed me in the red gown Scarlett had chosen for me, and I was half-smothered by yards of heavy silk. Scarlett regarded me critically, tugging here and tugging there at the gown and at my hair.

Finally, she drew back, smiling triumphantly.

"You'll do," she said in a patronizing voice.

I could feel the resentment swell up inside me, but I suppressed it. Today wasn't about me; it was about Scarlett. Whatever her happiness required of me, I would gladly do-even if it meant sacrificing my happiness in the process.

But as I looked into the mirror, it was a stranger staring back. A stranger in a beautiful red gown, perfectly coiffed hair, and a mask of makeup.

Who was I, really?

And what if I were to fail?

The moment I stepped onto the grounds of the pack, I was taken aback by the number of women standing before me. They were all dressed in their finest, with their hair styled and makeup perfectly done. I felt like a rag amongst the jewels, and my confidence ebbed with every passing moment.

Out came a stately woman, the mother of the alpha, with piercing emerald-green eyes, onto the stage and let the deep timbre boom across the grounds: "Welcome, ladies, to the concubine selection ceremony where one among you shall stand alongside our alpha today. Let the process begin.

One by one, the women came forward, each one presenting themselves to the alpha's mother with confidence and poise. However, one by one, they were rejected; their flaws and imperfections enlarged in the scrutiny of the alpha's mother.

I watched as the women were dismissed, my heart pounding inside my chest. What was the likelihood of standing up against this stiff competition?

And then I heard it, "Scarlett Blackwood!"

I didn't answer at first, thinking it was a mistake, but then I heard it again, louder this time. "Scarlett Blackwood!"

I looked around, my heart pounding, before it clicked in my head that it was me they were calling. I took a deep breath and stepped forward-my legs trembling beneath me.

The alpha's mother eyed me up and down, her eyes narrowing as she took in my appearance. "So Scarlett Blackwood, tell me, what makes you think you're worthy of being our alpha's concubine?"

I swallowed hard, trying to remember the words Scarlett had drilled into me. "I am loyal, obedient, and fertile, ma'am. I am willing to do whatever it takes to serve our alpha and our pack."

The alpha's mother raised an eyebrow. "Fertile? How do you know you're fertile?"

I did not say anything, not knowing how to respond. Of course, Scarlett had never prepared me for this event.

The alpha's mother narrowed her eyes. "I believe we've seen enough of Scarlett Blackwood. You may go."

I was a little disappointed and wanted to get out of there quickly to hide my embarrassment. Until I heard a voice behind me.

"Wait."

I turned to the alpha, Ethan, who had risen from his throne, staring at me hard. "I want her," he said firmly.

His mother's eyes, in surprise, widened. "Ethan, no, she's not suited. She's-"

Her words were abruptly cut off. "I don't care about any of those things. I want her. And that is final."

The alpha's mother's face flushed red in anger, but Ethan did nothing to betray emotion. The ceremony was done, and I had been picked. But why?

"That does not matter, at least you have a roof over your head." The voice in my head grumbled as I turned back toward the alpha; a glare f

rom his mother and the dismissive flick of his fingers set me going the other way, home…