HOW TO CONQUER THE KING OF THE WEREWOLVES

JUNE“MISS JUNE FALLOWS, YOU HAVE PASSED THE TEST AND WILL NOW ENTER THE SELECTION AS CONTESTANT NUMBER 14.”My throat dried, and I swallowed hard. “What?”“Get your things ready, say your good byes. In two hours, a car will be here to pick you. Do you understand?”“No,” The words escaped my lips in a panicked hiss as I sunk into the cushion. “I’m not going to play some stupid game where the price is the Lycan king.” I glanced at Alpha Roger as if he’ll give me some back up. “I’d rather die than marry someone who isn’t my mate.”The corner of the woman’s lips lifted up in a half smile. “Unfortunately, you do not have a choice in the matter. It is either you attend, or your life will be forfeit.”I gritted my teeth as invisible walls closed in on me. Alpha Roger placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it in a show of support. “You have to go, June.” He said quietly. ‘Participate in the trials and make us proud. You don’t have to win. You being there will bring us recognition and you

JUNEIT WAS EASY TO NOTICE THE SUBTLE CHANGE in our environment as we moved away from my tiny settlement. The first three settlements we passed had been much like mine. There still was not much civilization around this area with yellow dirt roads, hard, unforgiving land and dilapidated houses. Sure their settlements had a little more structures that set them apart from ours but it was not that much.Since I was asleep half way through, I only noticed the change in the last settlements. The roads were paved, the houses were made of glass with decorative, mason-worked sills and the people looked neat, beautiful. It seemed that Warding was coming into view. From where we were, I could make out a ring-like structure and it alone was almost the size of my entire settlement. It was tall, scraping the sky with its top and the glass surface reflected the sun. it was hard not to gape at it. “Let me guess,” I said, pointing towards the structure. “That’s Warding?”Miss Fiona shook her head. “

JUNEFiona’s remaining words faded into the background as I stared at the massive chandelier hanging above my bed. The only chandelier in my entire settlement belonged to Alpha Roger — and even his didn’t sparkle like this.Goddess… were we really that poor?It seemed Fiona asked a question, and when I didn't reply, she breathed a deep sigh as if to say, ‘don’t test my patience.’“Dinner is by 8,” I heard before her heels clicked noisily out of my room.My hands remained behind my head as I continued to stare at the chandelier, imagining all sorts of things. What if it fell on me while I was asleep? Oh wait, that had be great… unless it might get me killed.Gosh, a little frown settled on my face. I needed some fun around here.My head dipped around the corners of my room, and a surge of excitement coursed through my veins as I threw my feet off the bed, rushing towards the vanity mirror I sighted just in between the walk-in closet and the bathroom.I stared at my reflection, my stoma

JUNE“Ahem.” Jasmine cleared her throat as she swept a hand through her soft, voluminous ginger hair. The ladies paid no attention, each too focused on listing reasons why I shouldn’t be here.Jasmine’s hand slammed onto the glass desk, bringing the hall to an abrupt halt. Furious gazes shifted from me to her, and mine followed.“You are all here for one reason, and that's the desire to become part of the Lycan King’s haram.” Silence swallowed the hall as every ear tilted toward her.She could count me out. I wasn’t here for the so-called Lycan King.“But…” Mariel interjected. She clearly had a talent for interruption. Jasmine didn’t let her continue this time; she silenced her with a raised index finger. Mariel’s jaw clenched as she lowered herself back into her chair.Adeline and Anna whispered to her, then glanced my way before turning back to Jasmine. I felt their stares without even looking up.“You have all displayed a high level of indecency toward one of your fellow contestant

JUNEI pushed every thought away from my mind as I tried to sleep. I wasn’t ready to sacrifice my rest to think about some nasty bully, or even give a thought to what Fiona had said, she had also made it clear she wasn’t my therapist; as if I had told her I needed counseling.But just then, his thoughts came flooding back into my mind. Knight Colt Davies: that was his name, he had calming blue eyes, now deeply etched in my heart. I could recall the way he had held me as I was about to lose my balance, as if I were the most fragile thing he had ever seen.My cheeks brightened at the thought of him, and I squealed."Gosh, stop disgracing us, June," Ava said in my head."Why don’t you like seeing me happy?" I snapped, a frown settling on my face."No, not that. I just don’t like you dwelling in an illusion."I turned to the opposite side of the bed. "This is an illusion I’d rather dwell in than face the reality of tomorrow," I sighed, a low hiss leaving my mouth.No matter how much I tri