Chapter One

JUNE

I WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE PICKED.

“June Fallows,” One of the three women who had highlighted the sleek, luxurious car now parked in front of my house read out loud from a paper in her hand. “You have been ‘invited’ to Warding to Join the Lycan King’s Harem and participate in a selection process to choose his bride.”

She read the same words I had read from the red letter that I was now crushing between trembling fingers only minutes ago. I glanced at our pack Alpha – Roger – who had arrived only seconds after the women and raised a brow.

I turned back to the women. “You must be mistaken –”

The glare she directed at me sizzled the words from my throat. “You will let me finish, child and then you are not allowed to speak.” She turned to Alpha Roger leveling him with the same intensity of glare as she gave me and I swear, the man shook in his boots. I resisted the urge to pinch my brows. “Do you always allow such discourtesy in your courts?”

Alpha Roger shook his head. “No, but –”

“I don’t care. I have been tasked with bringing this one to Warding,” she eyed me. “Well, if she is fit enough.” I groaned. One of the other girls in our pack would die to be in my position. Could I not just trade places with them? I would rather remain here and die single rather than attend some stupid selection game where I was supposed to fight for a man with thirty-four other girls for the seat of Luna beside a man who might never love me.

“How old are you, girl?” the woman shot, glaring at me again. I opened my mouth then closed it. I was sure she had read my name in that letter, what was her problem with –

Her fingers circled around my chin violently, tilting my head up. “I asked you a question and I expect an answer. How. Old. Are. You?”

“Nineteen by next month.” I answered through gritted teeth. As violently as she had shoved her hands in my face, she yanked it away, huffing, then eyed me suspiciously. My legs shook and I wished we could have sat down for this… whatever this was.

“Have you found your mate?”

I shook my head the same time Alpha Roger said. “June has not yet met her mate since she came into her wolf three years ago.”

The woman turned her glare on him. I winced. Yes, he just had to remind me that it’s been three years since I came to my wolf and started waiting for my mate. Other girls my age already found theirs. Others were beginning to start a family, but I –

I wrung my hands and shuffled my feet, dipping my head to the ground, suddenly feeling inadequate.

“Small wonders.” The woman murmured. “June Fallows. You will honor the invitation of the Lycan King. You can neither reject nor run away from the invitation.” She raised her nose, looking down at me although I was a full head taller than her. “It would be considered as treason and you will be treated as such. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” I rasped. Out flew any thoughts of running away.

I bit my bottom lip, suddenly regretting allowing Alpha Roger talk me into penning down my name with the other girls in the pack. What were the words he used again? “It is just for formalities, June. I doubt the Lycan King would even acknowledge a pack as tiny as ours.”

Formalities my foot. I shot him a glare of my own doubting if it was a potent as the woman’s.

The woman’s rough hands grabbed my chin again. Why did a woman have such callused hands? I blinked as light flashed in my face. “Smile.” She ordered. “Let me see your teeth.”

What? What was I? A piece of fruit to be inspected for flaws?

Squinting against the harsh light, I pulled my face into what I hoped was a grin. She nodded.

“When was the last time you had sexual intercourse?”

Every muscle in my body stiffened. Blood rushed to my face. “What?”

Her voice hardened. “Answer the question. Miss Fallows.”

My eyes darted to Alpha Roger who was shifting from foot to foot. Hot shame spread across my skin and I unconsciously fumbled the paper in my hands. “I – I’ve never.”

I mentally slapped myself. Of course. What was she thinking asking me that question? I was fucking mateless. The other question continued along this line, with one of the other two women who I was sure were nothing more than escorts imputing my answers in a tablet. She wanted to know if I have ever kissed a boy on the mouth and other places too intimate to mention. Then she moved to alcohol use and drugs.

Once the interview was over, I visibly relaxed and she took my photo next.

“For the duration of the Selection process, you will bear this rune until your elimination.” She continued.

I blinked as the third woman suddenly grabbed my arm and searing pain shot through my wrist all the way to my back. I screamed, seeing red. The pain subsided as quickly as it had started and I immediately blinked away the tears glancing at the arm the woman had grabbed.

Three circles lined my skin each of them was only inches apart. I thought they looked horrible. “If you try to run, make out with another man during the Selection process, that rune will enter your blood stream and paralyze you. Even your wolf will not be immune to its effects.”

I gawked. What?

Without missing a beat, she continued. “Now, pull off your clothes and lay on your back.”

Bolts of shock jolted my heart. I blinked rapidly. “What?”

“Anyone who enters Warding must be deemed healthy.” Alpha Roger said calmly. “The women would only check if you are healthy enough to continue.”

I shot him another glare. And you will stay here for that? “What kind of – can’t he leave?”

“Your Alpha is a witness.” The woman answered simply. “No, he can’t leave.”

I clenched my fist and lowered myself into the couch, gritting my teeth. Once I was in position, the woman stepped forward, collecting a pair of gloves from the third woman.

“So, what are we looking for?”

I had not expected her to answer but she surprised me. “Everything. Pregnancy, toxins, disease, anatomical and genetical anomaly. Anything that might harm the Lycan King and the future offsprings.”

My insides clenched. They were looking for the perfect girl. I crossed my fingers. Here’s to hoping I was not perfect. I did not care whatever they found but please, let them find something. I squeezed my eyes shut as the woman began working. Narrow instruments burrowed through my sides, then it was gone.

“Get dressed.” She ordered, turning her back to me.

I snatched my clothes immediately from where they laid in a heap on the floor and dressed quickly. Alpha Roger had the good sense to look away but that did not help the shame that settled on my face.

“So?” I wondered aloud. “Did I pass?”

Please, say no. Please say no and get this horrible tattoo out of my arm.