Chapter 3

Ersa

A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Rose stepped inside, her usual cheerful energy in full force. “How was it, ma’am?” she asked brightly, expecting me to share her excitement.

All I wanted was for this to be over. I sat up and asked instead, “Are we allowed to speak with people from town?”

“Yes, you may. Would you like me to fetch someone for you?”

I wanted to say yes, but the thought that Conan might already be paired with Deni stopped me. I couldn’t impose.

“I’ll think about it,” I said, shaking my head.

“You should be more cheerful, ma’am! You’re going to meet the Alpha tonight!”

Those words lifted my spirits a little. I had never met the Alpha of our pack. I wasn’t interested in him romantically, but as the youngest leader named Alpha, it was a great honor.

“Ma’am, is that excitement I see?” Rose teased, poking my sides.

“I’m only looking forward to meeting the Alpha because of his achievements,” I replied, catching her finger in the process.

Well, if I was being honest, aside from the fact that he was the youngest Alpha and had kept our pack wealthy, I didn’t really know anything else about him.

“And I told you to call me Ersa,” I said, pushing her finger away.

Rose huffed dramatically. “If I’m being honest, Ersa… you’re beautiful, but your personality is far too bland! There’s no way the Alpha would even notice you.” She sighed, as if the idea pained her.

I chuckled. “Bland is healthier, Rose. If that’s what it takes for the Alpha not to notice me, then I’d rather stay bland.”

After all, I preferred to stay in the background, not the one being saved—or the one doing the saving.

Rose groaned and flopped onto the bed beside me. “But I need you to win. If you do, you’ll have me as your attendant, and that means less work for me.”

I laughed and lay down beside her. “Then you should have bet on Seraph or Lyanna. They’re much better choices.”

With both hands, she grabbed my cheeks and squeezed them. “That’s it! Just use that smile and you’ll surely captivate the Alpha.” She released me and stood up.

“I better find a sexy dress this instant!” she added, striding toward the closet.

I made a note to myself—smiling was definitely a big no.

When dinner came, Rose made me wear what she called “a black mermaid strapless satin dress with a slit.”

“Ersa!” Seraphine exclaimed the moment I stepped into the grand dining room, chandeliers sparkling above us. She was wearing a red dress that perfectly matched her bold, lively personality.

“You look beautiful, Seraph,” I said with a small smile.

“Gosh! If you were a ‘he,’ I’d have pounced on you for that compliment!” she teased, pretending to be shy. “Anyway… you look prettier.”

"Thank you." I sighed. “Do we really have to dress this nicely?”

“Of course! Think of it as a full-course meal, and we are the main dish served to the Alpha. We have to look the part,” she said, practically bouncing with excitement. “I wonder how tasty the Alpha is, though,” she added with a wink.

I couldn’t match her energy. Rose had been right—I was far too bland compared to these stunning women.

Then Seraph tugged me toward a chair. “Here, sit beside the Alpha,” she instructed with a playful shove.

“Why?” I asked.

“Come on! Obviously, he’ll look at me first—I’m the hottest here. Consider it giving you a little advantage,” she said, laughing.

In front of me sat Lyanna, and beside her was Everine. This time, the space between them was gone—it was clear both were angling for the Alpha’s attention.

“He’s here, oh my goddess!” Seraph squealed, practically vibrating with excitement.

We all stood as the double doors opened. I, however, kept my head lowered, fingers clutching my dress. No smiling. No talking. No eye contact.

I repeated the mantra in my mind: don’t get the Alpha’s attention. Not for even a second.

I heard the sound of footsteps beside me. The Alpha walked toward the head of the long table but stopped midway.

“Is that how you greet your Alpha, Soltharic?” His deep voice was calm, yet commanding, right beside me.

“I apologize,” I said, forcing an excuse. “I just deemed myself unworthy to look directly at you.” I raised my head and realized I had been holding my breath.

Something inside me whispered a single word: Mate.

There he was, tall and impossibly handsome, his mischievous smile sending a jolt straight through my chest.

The Alpha we were supposed to compete for… was my mate?