Chapter 5: Courting Day

***Godric

Alpha Oliven of the Hallow Den pack and his Luna, Isabel, met me in front, towards the podium.

“So good to see you again, Alpha Godric,” said Oliven. I only grunted with a light nod of acceptance. Luna Isabel bowed before me and then guided me to my seat. The Red Witch trailed slowly behind and chose the seat directly in back. She wore a long black dress and hooded cloak. Though the heat settled over the town square, she never removed her hood. Red strands of hair wisped by as a light breeze touched her face.

Luna Isabel took to the stage, looking down at the solemn crowd while still trying to maintain a smile. No one in attendance wanted to be here, fraught with anxiety of the upcoming event.

“Thank you, Alpha Godric, for blessing us with your presence. We honor you for your leadership and protection of our realm. We pray to the Moon Goddess for your continued success,” she said, shakily, as she cleared her throat. “And with that blessing, we present you with the 8th Annual Courting Day.”

She moved aside as a procession of terrified women gathered onto the stage, lining up beside each other. I barely acknowledged each as they walked forward and presented themselves, teary eyed and sullen. Heavy and short, tall and skinny. One woman sobbed uncontrollably as she stepped forward to present herself to me.

“Stupid girl, shut up!” I roared as a hush fell over the crowd. The woman gasped, eyes bulging. She fell backwards; two of the other women scrambled to help her to her feet.

The witch sensed my growing frustration and scanned the town square. Suddenly, she gripped my shoulder and leaned over my ear. With a hiss, she said, “My King, the Goddess has left you a gift in this insipid place.”

She turned my direction to the edge of the spectators. “Wouldn’t she be an exquisite addition to your collection?” she reveled, delightfully.

I turned towards the drab, sepia-toned crowd, surveying its inhabitants. Suddenly, a stunning figure struck me like lightning. Ringlets of white curls fell down her face. Pouty, pink lips parted slightly, inviting and invading my thoughts. She wore a plain emerald green dress and a wave of lust washed over me. An aura emanated, radiating off her creamy skin. My eyes widened and my mouth watered, hungrily. How had I never seen this beautiful creature before? I admit; I hardly took notice of the lower packs.

Maybe I missed her in the prior years... but that hair. I would never forget seeing those enchanting locks.

My attention fell back to the stage; my face attempting to give nothing away. I allowed the fanfare to continue and motioned to two random girls. I made sure not to include the crying sap. If I heard her shrill voice again, I’d pry her jaw off before I made it out of the town gates.

After choosing them, their eyes pooled with tears but they kept their mouths shut. After seeing my previous warning, no one dared rile me up. As the crowd began to disperse, families flocked to their sides while my warriors prepared their leave. They embraced and hands pulled longingly.

The girls knew... they would never see their loved ones again.

I anxiously pushed through the crowd to ensure not to lose sight of my treasure. I was met with a family of rowdy boys and three teenage girls as they packed their belongings. The mother hushed the younger children and she and the girls curtsied before me.

“My Lord,” Evelyn said, on behalf of her brood. “We are so thankful you have made the long journey to our territory. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make it more hospitable before your leave.” I sensed her unease, her fingers fidgeting at her sides as she shot a worrisome look to her children. I never stayed to talk to the townspeople, and she must have known I sought her family out specifically.

“There is something you can do for me,” I enticed, eyes burning with curiosity. “Who is this before me and why was she not offered today?” as I nodded towards the enchantress in green. Everyone turned towards the older girl, whose head was lowered during the exchange.

She looked up and turned her head in confusion.... “Me?!!!” she said with those wide ocean eyes, still somewhat bewildered.

Evelyn shook her head, “But Mia is just 18, my Lord. She has not had a chance to find her match. Her birthday was just two months ago. She... she’s a child,” the mother stuttered. I nodded and strolled towards Mia, inspecting this amazing specimen. She was slender but with a runner’s body. Ivory glistening curls cascaded down her back. They fell just above her curved bottom; her dress hugged her hips tight. I imagined slipping the emerald sheath off her, watching as it dropped to the floor so I could unveil every inch of her body.

I towered over her petite figure, at least a foot or two. With my index finger, I gently tilted her chin up, forcing our eyes to meet. She had stunning eyes, like rainwater. Light gray with waves of golden flecks near her iris. She was a vision... and I had to have her.

I took her small wrist by my hand. “Mia, my dove, if you have not found your true mate, I invite you to be my chosen mate,” I declared. Without hesitation, she recoiled herself from my touch. I sneered as my canines began to protrude. A loud growl ripped into the air, reverberating through the town square, and everyone in the crowd gasped. Goddess, she forgot who I was... above all, what I was capable of.

The realization of what she had done sparked in her eyes. Instinctively, she reached back for my hand and pulled herself closer. “My King, I would be honored to be your chosen mate... once I am 23. However, until then, I want to allow myself the chance to find my true mate,” she said, attempting to soften the anger emitting from my body.

Her doe eyes peered into mine. “Would you allow me that chance?” she asked, coyly. My eyes snaked under my darken brows; a sinister smile spread across my face. My wolf could feel the girl and her wolf’s discomfort within her, releasing a quiet whine that pulsed through her body.

“Of course!” I exclaimed.

The mother put her hand to her chest and let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank you, my Lord. My daughter... she’s young... naive.”

“Yes, madam,” I nodded at the woman and then turned my attention back to Mia. I took her hand and drew it to my lips, gently kissing it before I let her go. I motioned to my pack to move ahead.

Behind me, the Red Witch stopped in front of the ivory haired girl and from under her hood, a fiery gaze fell upon her with wicked eyes. I could hear Mia's breath catch in her throat as she too watched the Red Witch.  She examined the woman’s pale skin, flawless but there was something wrong under her cloak... something not quite right.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk...” the witch clicked with her tongue behind clenched teeth. She brushed past Mia and a cold shiver shook the girl's body. The long train of her cape flowed behind her, dragging against the ground.

***Mia

“No good will come of this day,” Lily warned. “I don’t like it. A man in his position doesn’t walk away empty handed.”

Her words filled me with dread. That was the Alpha King... the conqueror. The dreaded monster whose name filled tavern walls. Why was he talking to me? Why had he sought me out... in all of the village? To be his chosen mate? Everyone knew the King had no interest in another mate. And me? I was nothing... a lowly Gamma’s daughter, hidden in a slovenly town.

I couldn’t believe my luck... my bad luck. The pit of my stomach still held the uneasiness of our encounter. I thought back on the Red Witch, haunted by her presence. It was one thing to be confronted by the giant Alpha, but the encounter with that woman... I shuddered. She looked youthful but there was an agedness about her. And why had she not removed her hood under the beating eye of the sun? Could only be the dark magic... It sent chills down my spine.

“They’re leaving... he said so himself. The King will allow me to find my mate. I’m only 18. I probably won’t see him until next Courting Day,” I replied to my wolf, anxiously biting my bottom lip. But even I didn’t trust my own words.