The rest of the night was gloomy. The morning was even worse. So far, our family has never been selected but what if we were unlucky today.
Nevaeh was quiet. Mama chewed on her fingers. It was a nervous habit. Papa was his normal self but I could tell he was worried. Coulter on the other hand was indifferent. I know he cared about us but right now he wasn't thinking about it.
I took my shower quickly and wore a yellow dress. The hand straps were thin. The sun was already shining brightly.
I was the last to join them in the living room. It was a bad habit I had. Coming late. Papa scolded me often but today he didn't spare me a glance.
We started our trek to the town hall. Mama walked beside Papa and they talked in hushed tones. Coulter walked far ahead while Nevaeh and I walked together. The hall was full and our family took the vacant space by the window.
Our leader Silas and his beautiful wife Harriet were not here yet. They had three daughters. They were below the age of twenty so they would not be chosen.
Nevaeh and I just turned twenty-one and so our chances of being picked were very high.
I looked around and took in the gloomy faces of the others who has daughters as old as us. The other whose daughters had not come of age had a lighter mood and whispered.
The nature of humans. They were not concerned as long as they would not be chosen. They typically cared for only themselves.
"Do you think it'll be our family?" Nevaeh asked in a small voice. I didn't know how to reply to the question. I didn't like to sugarcoat things. And honestly, we had a very high chance.
One, the loud family had two daughters that were of age. Secondly, our family has never been selected. I didn't want to lie and tell her we won't be chosen when we very well could be.
"I don't know Nevaeh" this was the most honest answer I could give her. She heaved a sigh and looked away. I wished I could make her smile but she was going to be like this until we left the hall without being chosen.
After two long hours, Silas decided to make an appearance with his family. I could see the solemn look on their face. It saddened him to send the girl but an agreement was an agreement. We've never heard the full story just snippets but from what I know, one of our past leaders agreed with them to stop the beasts from killing us.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Silas said once he climbed the podium. A true gentleman. He was never late and always made apologies for his mistake.
A few grumbles from the people but the hall went silent. At that moment, I saw Edel enter the hall. His hair was ruffled and the sunlight caught the golden strands making him stand out.
His eyes traveled around the room and rested on mine. I gave him a wide smile and waved before he took his seat. He waved back and Silas cleared his throat.
I realized a lot of eyes were ok me and I blushed. Edel had made some noise when he entered and eyes were on him so when he waved at me, they looked in my direction.
"Let us proceed," Silas said and all attention went back to him.
"All the parents, to the left. The men at the center and the girls to the right" there was shuffling of feet and noise as we rearranged ourselves. Nevaeh and I moved to the right with the other girls.
"Now. The girls below twenty move to the left and let those that are of age remain on the right" there were loud footsteps and the younger girls moved. When I looked back, I paled. The girls of age at the gathering were significantly smaller than the previous year. Some people had moved to other cities. And since they were gone, they couldn't be part of the choosing.
I knew a lot of people who were ripe for the choice but their parents had removed them. Probably when they heard there'll be a choice soon.
"I'm scared" Nevaeh whispered. This time, I didn't say a word. I was scared too.
Silas's eyes moved from one face to another while his assistant stood beside him.
"As usual, five families will be called, and we'll keep eliminating until we get to the last family. So once you hear your last name, please stand"
"Hinsen. Pegany. Stawarski. Beischel." The girls were already standing. Everyone remained silent as we waited for the last name. His eyes landed on mine and I quickly looked away.
Don't call us. Don't call us.
"Dolivo" Time froze. I couldn't believe it. He called our name.
"Dolivo. Please stand" I was standing while trying to process the information. Nevaeh also stood up. I felt her eyes on me but I couldn't look at her. I won't be able to handle her watery eyes.
"Pegany and Stawarski you may seat" audible signs of relief could be heard across the room. I shuffled on my feet and said a prayer under my breath.
"Beischel. Take your seat"
I was nervous now. My family had never gotten to this stage ever. From mother's stories, our family name has never been called.
My heart thumped wildly in my chest and I was sure it was the same for Nevaeh. One look at her and I could see her shaking.
Please don't let us be chosen. I prayed. I'll be more obedient and respectful. I'll take my responsibilities seriously but please let us seat.
I didn't care that I sounded selfish at this moment. I'll be happy if they picked her over us and there was no denying it.
Silas and his advisor were in a corner talking in hushed tones. Their eyes moved over us every few minutes. I shrugged off the dreadful feeling that was threatening to consume me.
Silas and his advisor finished their discussion and we waited for them to address us.
"It hurts me to do this. It hurts all of us but it is necessary because it's the only way we can be safe"
He took a deep breath.
"The choosing is not malicious or personal. To the family that gets chosen, you have a week to prepare your daughter. Say your last goodbyes and when the men come to take her, do not struggle with them. Simply hand her over to the guards"
The hall was tense as everyone waited for his final decision. And he just remained silent. At one point I wanted to scream at him.
"Hinsley." He called their name and hesitated. He had a solemn look on his face and I was convinced that family had been chosen. I visibly relaxed and waited for him to complete it.
"You may take your seat" my head jerked up. His eyes were on the Hinsley girl. Was he? Was he telling her to take her seat?
I looked at him and his eyes caught mine.
"Dolivo. Your family has been chosen"
The house was silent. I thought the morning was bad, it was even worse. My mother silently cooked in the kitchen, father locked himself in the bedroom and Coulter was nowhere to be seen.I opened Nevaeh's bedroom door. She wiped her eyes quickly. "Nevaeh? Are you crying?""Of course not""That's a lie. There's tears in your eyes""I said it's nothing" she snapped. I plopped in her bed but she remained seated with her back facing me."You don't want to join me?" I asked and she sighed and lay down with me."I'm sorry for snapping at you""I'm not offended""Still. I shouldn't have. It's not like it's your fault""What do you think is going to happen" I asked her instead."We are the only daughters papa has""But I think something can be done. Maybe we can speak to the alpha and make him change his mind about it, maybe he can choose another family"She scoffed. "It doesn't work like that Paisley""But if...""Stop it Paisley" she said angrily and sat up again."Do you think the other f
I was sitting at the table alone drinking warm chocolate milk. Everyone has gone to bed but I just couldn’t find sleep. “Couldn’t sleep?” I turned round to see mama standing at the kitchen door.“No” she poured herself some chocolate milk and joined me. We sat in silence just staring at the stars.“Nevaeh didn’t mean any of the things she said. She’s only upset”“Why does she have to go. Why does any of us have to go to the beasts?”“It’s how it’s always been. From the time of your great grand parents till now. We can’t change it”“And so we have to accept abnormality as normal? It’s like you don’t even care you’re sending your daughter away”“Don’t say that. Of course I care. I’ll do anything to stop it but I can’t. If we don’t send Nevaeh, the wrath of the beasts will be upon us. Upon the village. Do you want so many to die because we don’t want our daughter taken?”“Why must Nevaeh be the savior?”“Other families have sent their daughters too. If they decided to keep their daughte
The pink place was busy as usual. It was an upscale restraint owned by Edel's sister Rhea and she was a bitch.I searched for Edel and when my eyes found him, I smiled. He waved me over and I joined him at the table. I leaned in for a kiss. He tried to deepen it but I chuckled and pulled away. "You brought cupcakes?" His face lit up as I handed the small bag over to him."I did. Nevaeh asked me to give them to you""Ohhhh. That was sweet of her. I love her cupcakes""You're not allowed to bring food in here" Rhea's annoying voice said from behind me."Don't start Rhea" Edel grumbled."It's the rules""Then maybe we should leave""I'm not saying that" she muttered before leaving our table."I don't know why she likes to act like that every damned time" he said with a frown."You should ignore her""Tell me. What has your family said about the choosing" I looked around. We were at a public place. "I don't want to talk about it here""Come on Paisley. I'm dying to know. We can talk in
"Shit. Shit" I muttered under my breath as I grabbed my bags. I ran out of the room only to realize that I was barefoot. I dropped the bag and ran into the room searching for my shoes. I found them and grabbed them putting them on as I ran out again grabbing my bags."Be careful Paisley" my mother shouted at the same time I hit my foot on the chair."Fuck" I cursed."You have to be careful. You'll hurt yourself" Nevaeh said from the kitchen doorways as she watched me run around like a headless chicken."I'm late Nevaeh. I'm in so much trouble" I hurried for the door."Don't forget to Kamiko" she called out before I slammed the door shut. Shit. I forgot to call her yesterday. The call would have to wait until later today. Firstly, I needed to get to work.I couldn't run on my feet. I was already so late. I took a cab to the office."You're late" the receptionist Patricia said to me cocking her head to the side."I know. My alarm didn't work this morning""You'll have to explain to the
I closed the last folder and grabbed my bag. It was evening already and I was exhausted. Most of the staff had gone home already. The light in the boss’s office was still on so I knew he was still around.Patricia was still at her table and I felt pity for her. I wonder who put up the stupid rule that the receptionist had to be at her desk until the boss decides to leave.“I’m leaving Patricia” she yawned tiredly.“I wish that bastard will finish already. I’m tired” she grumbled lowly.“His light is still on. I don’t think he’s going anytime soon. Give him an excuse or something”“Excuses don’t work on him. I’ll have to wait. Goodbye love”“Goodbye Patricia” I waved at her and exited the office. I reached into my bag and dialed Kamiko’s number. She picked on the first ring.“I’ve been waiting for your call”“I’m sorry. I had a lot to do and there was no time”“I’m upset with you”“And I’m sorry babe. Let’s do dinner”“At the pink place?”“Where else?”“I hate seeing Rhea’s face”“We h
I woke up early today and it didn’t take me long to get ready. I had about thirty minutes before work officially started.I knocked on the Nevaeh’s door but she didn’t respond.“Nevaeh”“Coming” she shouted from inside. Her voice sounded much better so I felt at ease.She opened the door and I entered.“You didn’t open yesterday” I said in an accusing voice.“I’m sorry Paisley. I just… we have only four days until they come for me”“Stop talking about leaving Nevaeh. I’m going to see Silas today”“Promise me Paisley. That you’ll get me out of this”“I promise Nevaeh” I squeezed her hands. My phone rang and I reached into my bag.“Patricia. I’m awake and already on my way”“There’s no need for that” I frowned.“Why? Did I get fired”“No. The boss asked us not to come in today”“What? Are you serious?”“Yes. He said we should consider it an off day”“I can’t believe it”“What’s that?” Nevaeh asked. “The boss gave us an off day” her eyes widened.“I’ll talk to you later Paisley. I have
BRAYANS POV There was a loud banging on my room door. I opened my eyes and looked around. The girl on my bed was sleeping soundly. I frowned. I thought I asked her to leave. Now I'll have to change the sheets and the bed. "Brayan i know you're in there" mama shouted from the other side of the door. I pulled on my pants tossed on the floor and grabbed a shirt while I went to open the door. "Mama" "Brayan what the fuck is wrong with you. I've been knocking on your door. Is that? Is that a woman in there?" "Please don't start" "When are you going to stop doing all this. Your mate will be coming in four days. You have to stop sleeping around" I rolled my eyes. I didn't want a mate much less an arranged one. "A mate that I don't want" I pushed past her and walked down the hallway but she followed me. "You've not even met her" "I don't need to meet her to know I don't want her. How do you expect me to tie myself down to a woman that I don't even know" "She'll be here for a mon
Kamiko and I went to the mall. "What are you going to get?""I don't know. Anything""Don't be boring. Let's buy something sexy""We are not going to a club and Nevaeh will never wear something revealing" that was the definition of sexy. Wearing skimpy clothes that barely covered anything."We'll find you something... decent but sexy. Come on""Whatever" I grumbled and she pulled me to the clothes section."Try this" she thrust the clothes into my hand. I went to the dressing room and put the clothes on. It was a red backless gown stopping below my ass.It did look good but I would never wear something like that in public. I stepped out of the room so Kamiko could see it and I could take it off."Damn girl. You look fire" she complimented in a loud voice."It's too short" she rolled her eyes."Turn around and let me see you" I turned round while she made cheering noises."I love it. It suits you perfectly""Didn't you hear what I said? It's too short. If I bend over all my goods will