2

(Bailey's POV)

Finally, when we were done getting ready, Nita left before us.

“I have to be there on time since I'm one of the contestants, I'll catch you in the crowd.”

The ride to the Alpha's Palace was excruciating. All I heard was talks on how great Nita was from my mother and father. I could tell they would've done anything in their power to have me in Nita's position. Too bad I  wasn't like her.

The ceremony was all I thought it would be like. Full of obnoxious people, ditzy girls and overbearing parents.

“Wow, look at how pretty all the girls are!” exclaimed my mom as the other contestants arrived and walked over to backstage to wait.

“Yes, they are all very nice, mom.” I wondered why I was the only one that found this ceremony to be insufferable

On the stage that towered high above everyone were the council of elders, and the alpha and the beta. My stomach grumbled in disgust and I looked away quickly.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the ceremony for picking the beta's mate shall soon commence.” came a voice from the stage. The murmuring got louder as the excitement levels increased. The ladies began to scream, some even jumped. They were all so excited to sign their life away.

“I really hope Janine wins!”

“no, it better be claire—”

I shook my head, fools, all of them. I looked around and decided to go find Nita, just to see how she was doing. Sometimes, I can be sweet. I knew she would be nervous, who wouldn't, even for the most useless of contests.

“I'll be right back mom,” I said.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I just need to use the toilet.” She waved her hand in dismissal and I walked towards the backstage room, and when I was sure no one was looking, I snuck in.  Lying to my mom was something I usually did to prevent her from following my every move.

I scanned round the room searching for nita and thought how strange it was that all the girls basically looked the same. Nita was at a corner unbraiding and braiding her hair. Once she spotted me, her eyes brightened and she ran up to me

“Oh my God, bailey! I'm so glad you're here. I was this close from running out of here!” she grabbed me into a hug and sighed.

“Is your mom and Lisa here?”

“yeah, they're out socialising or whatever—”

“I'll be back, I need to go say hello and get some support. Wait here!” and with that, she dashed out before I could even cut her off. How did I get into this? I wondered.

Now i was stuck in the waiting room for contestants of the royal mate picking.

A few minutes later, I overheard the announcer, “—and now ladies and gentlemen, welcome our contestants on stage—” shit! Nita wasn't here. I made to walk out to go call her when a voice came,

“everyone go out now, chop chop”

A woman was ushering all the girls from backstage out, and suddenly,  she seized me by the hand and was leading me out. “no, I'm not Nita. I'm her cousin, listen—” but she wasn't listening . I kept protesting and struggling but to no avail.

“ Calm down,”  She cut in, “ I know you're nervous but I assure you there is nothing to be anxious about.”

“You don't understand—”

I tried speaking to her but she gave the guards instructions to take us all away and my continuous screams about them making a mistake fell on dead ears.

“All must  wear these masks," one of the guards said. When they saw I wasn't complying, they put it on me before we were all finally led out. Masked and scared.

The stage was so high that everyone down almost looked like ants, the cold wind escaped through my skin and shivered in fear reassuring myself it would be impossible for the beta to choose me. I couldn't even try to run, I could fall to my death from this height. The fear kept me in place and I counted from one to a thousand to calm my nerves. It was going to be fine, once this ceremony was over, I'd be free

“I am the one who should be on that stage!!!'' The voice was faint but I still heard it. I looked down and saw Nita screaming at the top of her voice as guards rushed her, dragging her out of the palace. They probably thought she was crazy, and she kept screaming as she was being led out. This was so terrible. Tears rolled down from my eyes as I wondered what I had gotten myself into. This was Nita's dream, not mine.

She should be the one on the stage not me. Suddenly, a scent wafted through my senses, ut almost made me stagger. It smelt so delicious and addicting. I wanted to inhale over and over, I turned around. My gaze stopped, and my breath hitched.