Chapter 3

Liana 

“You are my chosen one and I've destined you for great things.”

Those words resounded in my head again. Could this be it? Could this be what my dream has been about?

Everyone was still looking at me.

“Come.” The priestess said.

I shook my head, no. The murderous look on my father's face was one I didn't want to cross.

“Come.” She ordered again.

I walked out from behind the door on shaky legs. When I stood in front of everyone, all I could see was the look of disgust on their faces.

“Is this some sort of humiliation ritual, or mockery?” Alpha Carl bellowed.

The priestess turned to look at him.

“You dare to question the authority of the goddess?” She demanded.

Alpha Carl's lips thinned into a straight line. He was clearly displeased with what was going on.

“Maybe there has been a mistake.” My father said again and the priestess impaled him with a look that shut him up.

“The goddess makes no mistakes.” She said angrily.

The elders began whispering among each other wondering what might have gone wrong. My mother stood next to me, smiling for all to see but I could feel the anger burning inside her.

“I told you to stay out of sight, didn't I?” She whispered through gritted teeth.

I could already imagine the punishment waiting for me when all this is over because I felt like somehow, there had been a mistake and the universe was playing tricks on me. I was waiting for the rug to be pulled from under my feet. 

Baylor shook his head as if he just recovered from the shock of the announcement and then he scoffed.

“There's no way, this…” his eyes roamed up and down my body in disgust while he thought of the adjective to use in qualifying me.

“This filthy omega.” He cursed. “There's no way she's my mate. And like my father's beta said, there must have been a mistake somewhere. Are you sure you heard the goddess clearly?” He demanded.

“Shut up, Baylor.” His father chided. “Now is not the time to question the decision of the goddess.” 

“And what have I done to deserve such inhumane treatment from the goddess? Please, I can't be mates with that thing. The goddess chose this household didn't she? Then I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I replaced one sister with another.”

He held up Ariana's hand as if it was a price he just won. She smiled happily next to him.

“I've declared the words of the goddess.” The priestess began looking around at everyone. “And if you choose to disobey then that's on you. Whatever consequences that arise from your disobedience will be upon you and your households alone.”

She didn't wait to hear anything again and she just stalked out.

All hell broke loose and everyone started talking over each other clamoring to be heard.

“Enough!” Alpha Carl ordered.

They all quieted down at his command. 

“Sit down! All of you.” 

Again, they did as he asked. Then, he turned to me. 

“Including you.”

My eyes almost bulged out of their sockets at the invitation. I was shocked. 

I looked at my father to see if it was okay but his face betrayed no emotions. Instead, he looked like he was contemplating his next moves.

I waited for someone to tell me to leave.

“Now!” Alpha Carl ordered again.

The authority in his voice spurred me forward and I shuffled my feet lazily till I sat in the chair that the priestess just vacated.

He stared at me as if he didn't know what to do with me.

“What do you think of my son?” He asked.

I was taken aback by the question. I looked at prince Baylor to see he was not pleased at all. My eyes drifted to that man again. He was just sitting there, not saying anything AF if nothing happening here mattered to him.

I didn't even know why I was drawn to him.

“Answer my question, girl!” The alpha ordered.

“I… errr… I … I don't know.” I stuttered.

“You must be dumb and pathetic.” He cursed.

I looked down in shame.

“Do you think you're worthy of this position? Do you think you're deserving of being my daughter in law and the future Luna? Answer my question when I ask it!”

“I think he's a strong man.” I hurriedly blurted out.

Baylor snorted at my answer.

“Father. You cannot seriously be considering this.” He whined.

“No one goes against the goddess when she gives her words. If it was in my power, I would never allow you to be shackled to this imbecile.”

“I'm not scared. I am the future alpha of this pack and I will fight to defend it. Whatever the goddess has in store for me for my disobedience, then I am willing to shoulder it all. Whatever it is cannot be as bad as getting married to her.” Prince Baylor stated.

Humiliation burned my face. Now that I was finally chosen, I thought maybe things would get better but it only seemed to get worse.

“As much as I don't want that for you, I can't guarantee that you will survive the wrath of the goddess. The mating ceremony will take place tonight.” The alpha announced.

“No! Father, you can't do this!”

“I'm sorry, son.” 

Alpha Carl stood up and turned to look at my father.

“Get her ready and presentable for the mating ceremony tonight.” He ordered.

My father bowed in obedience.

“Of course, alpha.”

Ariana let out a loud cry and ran out of the council room. Mother offered apologies on her behalf and followed behind her.

Baylor looked stupefied but he didn't say anything to defy his father's words. Everyone began trickling out one after the door because the meeting was over.

I quickly began stacking dishes and cups to clear the table.

“Leave all of that and go get cleaned up.” My father commanded me.

“But I…” I protested.

“Now!”

His face left no room for argument. I turned around immediately to go when I heard him telling Luthor to gather the other omegas so they could help me get ready for the ceremony.

When I got to my room, Luthor was waiting with a dress.

“Your father asked me to bring this to you. Get dressed and the other omegas will be here soon to help you get ready.” He instructed and laid the dress on my bed.

My heart soared at the sight. I touched the material delicately already imagining what it would look like against my skin.

“Thank you.” I whispered to the goddess and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

By the time I came out, I saw that my bedroom door had been left open. I squinted my eyes in surprise because I don't remember leaving it open. Chills ran down my spine.

I turned to the dress on the bed and that was when reality dawned on me. The dress lay in shambles as someone had slashed every single part of it.

“No!” I cried.

I picked it up and the fabric slipped from my fingers and dropped to the floor. I followed suit and fell to my knees.

A roar tore from my throat.