1

“Assemble” I heard a thunderous roar and I jumped from the floor bed. The sound of people scampering around, getting ready to run outside to the gardens filled our small space.

It was trouble to arrive late and an even bigger trouble to ignore the call. The punishment that would follow for each would leave you scarred and immobile for days but you’ll still be expected to complete your duties.

I slipped on my worn-out shoes that barely fit my legs now and tied my hair into a messy bun at the back of my head. It was safer to tie it that way. Those who let their hair flow were yanked by it at any given opportunity.

I followed the girls running outside, pushing through the bodies to make it out on time. Luckily, I made it out before the doors were closed and so did a good number of girls but sadly, three girls didn’t make it.

Alicia, the woman that called us out, marched to the door, a stern look on her face. She was unusually big for a halfbreed and sometimes I wondered if she was a werewolf.

Werewolves are the strongest of them all. The top of the food chain and the leaders of our world. They were not to be messed with because they were ruthless and brutal in their punishments. The next on the hierarchy are the half-breeds. They have the spirit of wolves in them but they cannot shift into their animal forms.

The last on the scale are the humans, my people. The slaves and help. We have no special abilities and that keeps us at the bottom of the food chain. I heard stories, that we used to be on the same level as the half-breeds. The thought was laughable and I could not imagine the possibility.

Alicia opened the door and three girls filed out. She fisted their hair in her palm and gave them heavy slaps, one after the other. It echoed in the silent field and I winced at each sound. Each of the girls would be sporting bruises on their face and still have other punishments.

Two guards came and led them away. Their sobs were muffled, they didn’t dare cry out loud or punishment would be increased.

“There’s going to be a large party in the estate in a few weeks. The oldest son, Master Coen will be taking a mate”

My cheeks tinged. Coen already set a date for our mating? We spoke about this in the past but he never directly mentioned that he already fixed a date. I couldn’t help the wide smile on my face. He probably wanted to surprise me. Did Torin also know about this?

I caught a girl looking at me and I quickly set my face straight. Nobody knew of my personal relationship with Coen. And I intend to keep it tha way.

I didn’t hear the rest of what Shane had to say. I would just have to ask the girls later on. I was more focused on going to find Coen after we were done here.

“Dismissed” she announced and it became a mess in the field as we struggled to leave. People bumped into each other and apologized as they passed.

I followed the girls returning to their duties in the main building, ready to start my search for Coen.

The stairs leading up to his shared wing with his brother was empty. I quickly climbed up and snuck into the hallway. The moment I shut the door, I heard one open.

Torin poked his head from outside his room door. I waved excitedly.

“You look happy?”

“Did you know that Coen fixed a date for our mating?” I asked and he frowned.

“Coen fixed a date?” I nodded.

“Are you pretending not to know or do you really not know” he scratched the back of his neck.

“I seriously didn’t know. I had no idea Coen planned to mate”

I frowned at his words. Coen and I were in a relationship and he knew about it. Surely we were going to mate one day or did he think it’ll never happen because of my status as a human?

“What’s going on in your head?”

“Nothing. Do you know where I can find Coen?”

He shook his head. “Okay. I’ll leave then”

“Wait Nouria. Something happened. Are you upset?”

I thought about lying and leaving but there was no point in doing that.

“You said you had no idea Coen planned to mate. You didn’t think he’ll ever mate me”

“Yes. But that’s because Coen is unserious about a lot of things. I didn’t mean to offend you”

“It’s fine”

“No. It’s not. I can help you find him so you two can speak about it”

I nodded. “Thank you, Torin”

“You’re welcome. Now don’t be upset with me anymore” I smiled. The next second, he was hugging me tightly.

I embraced him back. Torin was my family. Like an older sibling, I never had.

My father suddenly died and my mother died years later out of grief. While crying about it one day, Torin found me and we became fast friends. He introduced me to his brother Coen and another girl in our age grade, Gaia.

We all soon became good friends despite the difference in our status. Gaia was a werewolf and the boys were half breeds. But we had to keep our friendship away from their families. Torin’s father owned the estate we all lived in. He was an important cabinet member in the king’s castle.

I loved them so much with all my heart and they loved me just the same. And now, I would soon be mated to the man I loved the most in the whole world.

I wished my mother could be here to witness this. Or my father….. but I had no real memories of him. I didn’t even know his name or what he looked like. Mother never spoke of him.

I let Torin hold me in his arms until we heard the sound of a door opening.