Chapter 4: I Do Not Volunteer as Tribute

My father scoffed at Auntie Leeanne’s antics. I was hit with a wave of anxiety when my sister’s gaze was on me. 

“Well, speaking of representatives… I think we have the perfect person for the job.” Talia said with a smirk at me. 

"I'd prefer to call them sacrifices," Auntie Leeanne corrected. Before holding out her invitation like it had a disease on it. 

My father remained silent, but his gaze fell on me. My anxiety turned to panic. I knew where this conversation was headed. I looked down at the floor and back up to my family, who were now all staring at me with a knowing look. 

They were eyeing me like a lamb being prepared for the oven.This couldn’t be happening. I didn’t want to be sent to my death. I looked to my father and felt my knees give way, sending me to the floor. 

"Please...,father.” I didn’t care how desperate I sounded. 

His lips fell into a thin line while his eyes turned black from his wolf. "I won't allow our family to have daughters who can't be married off, Annette," he took a step towards me. 

Tears of despair fell one by one from my eyes. My chest felt tight and my breaths began to speed up. I needed to think of something. Anything to get me out of my future sentence. 

"Or... I could leave, disappear entirely from your world," I clutched at my father's pants, "You can tell everyone I died of an illness. No one has to know the truth. Please father.” I continued to hold onto his pants as glared at me with cold, unloving eyes. 

"Oh, look, the negotiator has come out to play!” She took a predatory step towards me while I stayed on the ground. “And who do you think would make a better replacement for you? Me or your Auntie Leeanne, princess?" My sister sneered at me.

Tears continued to fall. I knew my pleading would be mute. I hung my head and before I could utter a response my father stepped out of my hold and looked at one of the guards on the perimeter. 

"Take her to her room," my father ordered, "guard her well from today on, don't let her escape."

I wiped the tears from under my eyes and stood. I felt the presence of the guard at my back. 

"No need," I swatted away the guard’s hands on my shoulder, "I'll go back on my own."

Despair had me surrendering without resistance.

"As you wish, father." I walk up the stairs to my bedroom where I let myself crumble on the floor during my solitude. 

******

During those two months I was locked up, time crawled at a snail's pace.

I find myself lying on the windowsill, envious of the sparrows that chase each other outside. To be free like that would be a dream. 

I'm staring at the tray, and there it is – a sad bowl of mushy oatmeal and a banana that's gone completely black. My stomach's doing a rumble solo, but I'm doing my darndest not to gag when I sniff the tray. They were treating me like a prisoner. It's hard not to wonder if my father's signed off on this.

Suddenly, a rapid knock on the door interrupted my struggle to eat.

"Come i..,"Before my words finished, finely dressed men and women bustled into the room with cosmetic bags and garment bags. 

“Sure, just come on in and take over my space.” I muttered dryly under my breath. 

The room buzzed with activity. Hairdressers, designers, and skin specialists moved in and out. In line with my father's desire for me to be chosen, they applied various chemicals to my face, body, and hair. I felt like a roast chicken being marinated, awaiting the moment when the Lycan King would tear me apart with his sharp teeth in the not-so-distant future.

After the team of professionals were done with me my icy blonde hair was curled into soft waves that cascaded down my back with an intricate braid that went from the side of my head under the delicate curls. 

After being plucked and prodded with tweezers, lash curlers, powders, and sprays, my usual pale complexion was now warm with a light blush and a natural smokey-eyed eye shadow. My full lips were lined with a muted mauve color, making my lips look soft and inviting. 

After several of the professional stylists pulled and prodded, I was put into an emerald green ball gown  hat corseted up top and flared into a tulle skirt. My feet already began to hurt from the 4 inch heels I was put in and could barely breathe in my dress.

I looked into the long mirror of my bedroom taking in my imposter self. To the outside looking in, one may call me a beauty. But it was a facade that I prayed didn’t get noticed. 

I headed down the stairs. The tulle of the dress tripped me constantly as I tried to wobble to the living room on trembling legs. 

Auntie Leeanne, Talia, and father sat on the pristine lounging chairs in the room like they were ready to watch a show. The expressions on everyone's faces were not what I anticipated. 

Jealousy barely masked on Talia's face, and my father had a look that said, "I didn't expect this merchandise to shine so much."

"Congratulations in advance," Talia said, "You'll surely be chosen."

I looked at her with a fake smile. Even with the finest clothing and makeup, my sister couldn’t hide the ugly snake that lay beneath. 

"Any last words?" Talia jabbed while returning the fake smile and standing to face me. 

I felt my anger erupt out of me and refused to bite my tongue any longer. 

Years I dealt with their abuse without any pushback. Well enough was enough. I was done keeping my thoughts silent. If this was my last chance to say any last words before my untimely death, I would take full advantage!

 "I hope you all join me in hell soon."

I felt the sting of the slap as it echoed in the room. 

I clutched my face and fell to the ground, the right cheek where my father slapped me burned. I licked my lips, tasting the tang of iron, blood. I hadn’t even seen him get up from his chair. 

Just as he was about to continue berating me, someone pushed the door open.

"How dare you defile the future Luna candidate offered to the Lycan King!"