1. Selection Day

MAEVE'S POV

"It's Selection day!"

"It's Selection day!"

"It's Selection Day Maeve, come help me prepare like you promised!!!" Dalia screamed in my ear as I grunted not wanting to get up from sweet old Pippa.

Yes, I named my aunt's aged wretched mattress that she was kind enough to give to me when I had nowhere to go. Pippa and I had been through the worst things but we prevailed just like how we would after Selection day is over and I get back to my miserable life as the pack's punching bag.

Oh such good times we've shared, myself, Caden the soon to be Alpha, and Gretchen the Gamma's daughter and sweet little Dalia.

The mockery and torture I had to endure as the child of a traitorous woman.

"Haven't you gotten up Maeve? You have a lot to do today. There are dishes and clothes to be washed, Dalia's Selection outfit to be straightened to perfection and betrothal gifts to be packed. Stop lazing about and get to work!" Aunt Giselle's voice came booming down the narrow hallway of our cramped house.

I struggled to get up from Pippa as my eyes caught the time on the cracked digital clock perched on the windowsill. It was Eight O'Clock in the morning.

Damn it!

I had overslept from overworking myself to death last night because Aunt Giselle thought it was a fantastic choice to clean years of old linens, saying she wants everything to sparkle when her in-laws come over.

Dalia had a huge crush on Caden ever since she set her eyes on him but he ignored her at school and social gatherings. But recently I see her sneaking off with him to do God knows what. With a mum like Giselle whispering down your ears about the perfect feminine tactics to use to secure the soon to be Alpha, you are sure to do one or two unscrupulous things.

I didn't know what she saw in him. Caden was an overrated playboy who treated women like they were disposable. I don't know who my mate will be but certainly not the likes of Caden, I begged the moon goddess daily. The man made my entire life miserable, I didn't want to be mated to such an animal.

Deep down I know I may never find a mate or may even be rejected because everyone hates my guts.

Our pack would be hosting this year's Selection Day and the Lycan Royal Family would be present along with other pack leaders with their unmated children.

"I told you to hurry up today. You promised to help me deliver my letter to Caden before the ceremony begins." Dalia whined from the doorway, already dressed in a pale pink gown that made her look like spun sugar.

"I know…I know. I'm going to get it delivered. Besides, I promised to help Nyla with some chores at the Alpha's house because she stayed all night helping me clean on her day off yesterday. Just drop the letter on Pippa, when I'm done with everything I need to do here, I'll take it to him." I said running to clean what's left.

"Thank you so much Maeve, you're the best!" I hear Dalia squealing.

Yeah…"The Best"...I was only the best when it suited her needs. She has never once fought for me when I am being bullied by her beloved Caden and his circle. In fact she joins them and comes home to apologize to me saying she didn't mean to.

Nyla calls her a two-faced bitch who only cares about being the Queen Bee of the pack. But I didn't care, I might dislike her and her mother but I'm still grateful she came to claim me when the pack wanted me banished for a crime I didn't even commit.

I rushed through the chores with a speed arguably faster than lightning, scrubbing the worn floors until they gleamed and hanging the laundry on the line behind our house where morning mist still clung to the grass.

Then I made my way to the pack house with Dalia's letter tucked firmly within the waistband of my worn out dress.

The pack house stood before me, its stone building decorated with banners and flowers for the ceremony. Members of visiting packs were already arriving, I could see Stonewell pack and their crest and Firstfell pack members too.

But still no sight of Royal Family yet, I tore my gaze away as I hurried in.

"Thank God you're here," Nyla said as she tossed me a cloth rag the moment I stepped through the servants' entrance.

We both worked silently but efficiently cleaning the grand marble foyer, its chandeliers casting prismatic light across the polished floors. Then I hear the sound of haughty footsteps echoing through the vast space and knew instantly that Gretchen was here.

Trouble…

"Slave girl, hope you're doing a good job of cleaning up everything nicely. We wouldn't want the other pack members to think we are all filthy like you are," she snarled, her designer heels clicking against the marble as she descended the sweeping staircase.

I rolled my eyes, not feeling offended because I was used to her unfriendly jabs.

"Happy Selection Day to you too Gretchen." I smiled.

She huffed as she walked past me, her emerald gown rustling with each step.

Nyla turned, giving me a knowing look, "She's so bratty…gosh she infuriates me!"

"Don't give yourself wrinkles worrying over her now," I said, a smirk curling my lips.

"You're so right. My precious youthful beauty can't be ruined now. However would my mate come running to me?" She pouted.

I laughed and then I remembered I still have a letter to deliver to Caden for Dalia and I dreaded going to Caden but I couldn't back out of this.

If I wanted to survive before this ceremony is over in the hands of my aunt and Dalia I couldn't say no.

So, I speeded up with my cleaning to make it in time before Caden is nowhere to be found.

********

I made my way to Caden's room, walking through the upper floors as I noted how luxurious this place was. The stone walls polished and shined so hard that I could see my reflection in them. Rich decorations hung from the walls that showcased our pack's symbols, and the thick carpet muffled my footsteps.

I was just at the foot of the heavy wooden door when I heard hushed whispers and what sounded like a whimper. Then I finally saw it through the slightly ajar door, Caden sitting in a plush leather chair while Gretchen was on her knees, her mouth filled with his hard length, sucking on it like it was the sweetest nectar all of Grimwell Pack could offer.

Dalia was going to be livid.

As I tried to quietly and stealthily escape the scene, Caden's glossy desire-filled eyes met mine, freezing me on the spot.