Chapter Three

“My lady!” One of my lady’s maids, Jenelle, rushed to my side, pulling me to my feet as her face blanched with pallor. 

Jenelle tried to rush me to my chambers but I refused, knowing that if I crossed paths with Theron right now I would kill him. 

“I’m fine, Jenelle.” I assured her, trying to dry my face as a swelling rage tore through my body.

“My lady, you’re flushed.” She placed her pale, shaking hand on my forehead as that swell of rage grew louder, ringing in my ears.

Before I could tell her I was fine for a second time, the clock tower chimed, signaling I had twenty minutes before I was to be expected in the ball room, the place where the clans had gathered, waiting for the moment that their rulers may leave with a wife.

My fists tightened in my tulle skirts as memories of this moment in my past life flooded me. The last time, I was dancing around my chambers with excitement when that clock tower chimed, readying myself for the moment to come, the moment I knew I was going to choose Theron. This time would be so very different.

“Come now, Jenelle.” I took her shaking hand pulling her along. “We must go to the ball room.”

Every step I took leading to that damned room felt like I was stoking the fire burning low in my gut. 

My fists were clenched so tight that my finger bones ached.

I threw the doors open, catching the attention of everyone in the room, all of them turned to face me, Theron included. Gods, seeing him, seeing his boyish grin directed at me after what he had done to Locke made me murderous. 

“Good day, ladies and gentlemen.” The power of that rage I realized would fuel me for the rest of my days as it swept across the room. 

Calista noticed too. I watched her stomp her foot in a jealous rage as Theron watched me take my place next to my father, and with one swift motion of my hand, I silenced the room. 

“Tradition states the eldest daughter of Evander will choose her mate first.” I began speaking, my voice traveling through the room like the echo of an angry God. “But, due to some… unsavory circumstances… my sister, Calista, will choose her mate first.” The silent room burst into a wave of whispers and rumors as the attendees began making assumptions on what those circumstances may be, but Calista’s smile grew broad and ugly. She had always had a knack for ignoring those voices around her, and in truth, that is the only thing I ever felt envious of her over. 

Calista stepped forward, her emerald tulle mirroring my ivory skirts as she stepped next to our father. 

“Thank you all for attending the Mating Union this eve. It has been nearly forty years since a ball like this has been held in Evander and to say we are grateful for each of the Alphas in attendance is an understatement.” Calista spoke with such gentleness that her voice, like mine, commanded the room, but for very different reasons. 

The rage that carried my voice still burned along every inch of the room, painting the velvet curtains in my hatred. While Calista’s voice captivated the audience as expected, mine had surprised them. 

“Since my sister was so kind, and agreed to let me choose my mate first,” I watched every male in the room besides Theron sneer at her as she reached out for me, they knew she was impure, even in this life she was their last choice. I ignored her hand, keeping my gaze forward in a hard immovable expression as she recovered the fumble and continued.

“I am proud to announce that I have chosen the fae king, Theron Blackthorn.” I bit back the smirk that burned across my lips. Stupid girl was about to find out just how badly she had messed up.

I watched her take her place next to a grinning Theron who happily took her on his arm. It was my turn now.

My father nodded as I stepped forward. Unlike Calista, I had been forced to maintain my purity. I nearly scoffed at the thought, as if my virginity had anything to do with my goodness… it didn’t. But it did give me options with the three remaining clans whose eyes were all on me now.

I looked to Lucien Salvatore, king of the vampire clan. I remembered how he had treated Calista in our past life, and I knew that this clan wasn’t for me. My eyes kept roaming falling over Blaze Deverough, alpha of the dragon clan. The man was good looking, but he was a hot head. I don’t like hot heads. Lastly, I looked to the figure in dark black robes to the back of the room. He had been overlooked last time entirely, but I knew something without a doubt. I didn’t want to see any of these people again, and those dark robes were my ticket to freedom.

“I choose Reign Cavenaugh, King of the werewolf Clan.” I smiled when the collective of gasps rippled through the room.

Reign had been cursed for centuries, in fact, the man in the back who seemed as shocked as everyone else, wasn’t Reign at all, but a representative of the king. 

Quickly, the man in robes came forward, dropping to one knee before me. 

“My queen, my king is cursed and cannot leave the wolven realm. It will be my greatest honor to escort you.” He bowed low, his forehead touching the floor at my feet.

“Come now.” I reached down to the sentry ready to pull him to his feet when Calista’s shrill laughter echoed through the ball room. 

“The old wolf king?” She cackled, clutching her chest as Theron joined in on her laughter.

“Don’t do this to yourself, Odessa.” Theron stepped forward pulling his arm from Calista’s grip, his smirk full of life turning dark just for me. 

“Come back to the fae clan, serve Calista, be my mistress, and I will ensure you are cared for.” He reached his hand out for me, and for a long moment, I looked into his eyes.

That swell of rage returned when I looked at his button nose… Locke’s button nose.

I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white, I turned away from him and helped the wolf to his feet.

“Father, I have made my choice. I choose the wolf Clan.” My voice was back to that powerful, rage filled thing that painted the room in my anger. But, my father only nodded.

“The princesses have decided. Please, eat and drink. In three days, we will gather here to celebrate the weddings of the princesses of Evander.” I smiled, and turned back to the male who was pale white, the tips of his ears flushed red. 

“What is your name?” I asked him, his eyes finding mine with ease.

“Zander, my queen.” He answered quickly, bowing formally.

“My name is Odessa. There is no need to be so formal.” I looked around the room, taking in my home one last time before I left it once more.

“Zander, can you have a carriage prepared to return us to the wolf clan tonight? I will not stay any longer where I am not wanted.” His eyes flashed with a fury I didn’t understand. Still, he nodded. 

“As you wish, my qu–Odessa.” He corrected himself when his eyes met my expectant ones.

“Thank you, Zander. I will be ready in one hour and will meet you at the front door.” I turned quickly before he could bow again, and headed straight for my father. 

“I’m leaving tonight.” I said the moment he turned to face me. 

“Odessa?” He looked confused, but I had made my mind up, and nothing he could say would change my mind.

“My husband cannot leave the Wolf Clan, father. I wish to be with him for our wedding.” My father’s lips flattened into a thin line, an expression I had learned a long time ago meant he was thinking.

“Nothing you can say will change my mind, father.” I took his hand, warm and calloused in mine and kneeled before him. 

“I am happy with my choice, father.” I realized the moment I had said it, that it was true. I knew I had made the right choice, now I just needed to leave Evandor for a second time, and this time, I would not return.