Chapter 4

A loud honk blew from outside, cutting me off before I could respond to Kate.

"What's going on?" I asked, looking at Kate with confusion.

"They're here. I think the Lycans are here again."

"W-what? What do you mean?" 

"Lycan Xavier made a decision the year before you arrived at Goldmoon Pack, which was, allowing him to select any woman from different packs to be his mate,"

"You are aware of Lycan Xavier, the famous and terrifying Lycan, right?" I nodded in answer to Kate's question.

Who wouldn't have heard of him? He's known for being notorious, cold blooded and is also known to be cursed for not having a mate.

"The Lycans and werewolves are still at war. During the last war which happened some decades ago, Lycans almost defeated all werewolves because they were stronger than us," Kate added, shedding more light.

"But sadly, Lycan Xavier is cursed and rumors have it that if he can't find his destined mate, then he might lose all of his strength,"

"The moon goddess had told him that his mate was a werewolf but he is cursed with not realizing who his destined mate is. Ever since that word by the moon goddess, he had arranged a selection of different ladies from different packs every six years."

"What?" My eyes widened in shock with what I just heard. I moved closer to her, wanting to hear more.

"Not just ladies, but omegas and outcasts as it was revealed that his destined mate was one of those." Kate finished while I leaned forward with confusion spreading across my face. 

"What's the reason for Alpha Varlos' lack of concern? Lycans are our adversaries. Why is he passively observing while an adversary chooses women from his pack and other packs just so he could get a mate?" 

"He believes Omegas are of no importance and also, he didn't bother since Lycan Xavier spared the lives of hundred werewolves who were in his captivity during the war." 

My eyes widened in horror as Kate continued to talk, revealing more details that I was unable to process.

Before we could exchange more words, two hefty sentinels approached us and dragged us roughly.

"Come out here you two!" They yelled. 

"Join the rest of them and let's get this done quickly." 

Kate and I were held with a few other women and omegas. 

We could not evade the selection for fear of being apprehended and put to death.

Omegas and outcasts were designated for the selection process based on the rules.

They were of less importance and could be traded for the safety of the majority. 

As we were chosen, the Alpha and his family, the nobles, and other pack members observed us, unable to take any action since the rule was established by the most frightened Lycan.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, once in every six years, Omegas from each pack are sacrificed to the beastly Lycan." 

The voice of the speaker reverberated across our pack, a loud and terrifying sound that sent shivers down our spines. He was an elder from Lycan Xavier's pack and his aura radiated terror.

My eyes were fixed on the balcony of the pack's palace, knowing fully well that Alpha Varlos and his family were up there, watching. 

I looked up at Carlos. Despite his helplessness, he had a dejected gaze. 

"Hazel, Paige, Sara……." Various names of girls who were omegas were marked out. 

They were like plague and outcasts and obviously, I was one of them.

"Camelia Stewart," 

The announcer finally stated. I held the hems of my gown, making my way towards the outskirts to where the other girls were asked to stay.

"No! Camelia. No!" A voice beseeched from the crowd. I looked back hopelessly, only to see Old Mrs Rose, running towards me. She was someone I worked for and she was like a mother figure to me.

"Stay back! Old hag." A Lycan who appeared to be a sentinel, yelled at her but she still fought furiously. She was shoved aggressively to the ground, and just as I was about to run to her direction, I felt a hand stop me from behind.

"You don't want a death wish, do you?!" A sentinel thundered. I kept my composure and stood in line with the other girls fretfully.

"Well, that was quite some unsettling drama", the announcer commented with a sly grin.

"Bring the box of luck forward,"

He announced and we were instructed to select a letter and proceed one at a time.

Any one who received an even number on their letter indicates that they were spared from being chosen as the Lycan beast's mate. 

Once you got an odd number, you would be taken away to represent the Lycan's mate. 

"You're safe," 

The announcer said to a girl after viewing her letter.

"Safe… safe…. Safe.. you're safe,"

Turn by turn, he made it known to the girls.

"Taken." He announced to a lady who stood with shock written on her face. She was dragged by a sentinel to another direction. Given that her number was odd, she would be one of the people chosen to be the beast's mate.

If anyone tried to escape, we were warned of the damned consequences.

I gave my letter to them when it was my turn. I was unable to peek through the letter because it could only be opened by the speaker.

"Taken!"

The single word that I found unbelievable. My eyes widened out of sheer shock, and the word, it kept reverberating and echoing in my ear repeatedly.

I saw the sorrowful expression in Kate's eyes the moment our eyes met.

Kate was safe in the knowledge that her number was even, meaning she would not be among those chosen as the Lycan's mate.

Why me? And how is that even possible?

"Camelia, stay strong. Just remain strong, please." I was beyond comfort, even when Kate tried to console me. 

Why was fate this cruel to me?

Everyone looked at us hopelessly as we were being taken away.

No girl had ever survived in the beastly Lycan's hands.