The Choosing Ritual #3
What on Earth am I doing? I need to get out of here.
I started to turn when Taffy and Dillon came up behind me, both smiling encouragingly as the line moved a step forward. My pulse quickened, dread settling in my chest as I neared the handsome male wolf.
Oh Goddess. This is bad.
I watched carefully as each female offered their hand to the alpha. Alpha Caelan politely leaned forward and sniffed the underside of their wrist with that perfectly straight nose, testing his compatibility with their scent.
I stared, captivated by his perfect lips and sun-kissed skin. My heart hammered in my chest as I took another step forward, seriously thinking I might faint before I reached him.
I’d never seen a more breathtaking man in my life. Sharply chiseled features and sparkling hazel eyes made my breath catch as he bowed to each female before turning to the next. The smart navy suit he wore fit him perfectly, hugging his muscular form and highlighting every contour.
My hands shook as the girl in front of me stepped up to him. This is pointless. A wolf like that would never want anything to do with a female like me.
I took a deep breath, hoping to calm my nerves, which was promptly ruined when the most delicious scent I’d ever inhaled filled my senses. My Goddess. What is that? It’s like fresh-brewed French vanilla coffee and natural musk. It’s intoxicating.
The tension in my shoulders eased as the aroma washed over me. It was strangely comforting, like a warm embrace. I glanced around, searching the crowd for the source as the she-wolf in front of me curtsied and stepped away.
The scent would have to wait. There was no going back now. It was just me and Alpha Caelan.
Then There Were Five
SHADE
I kept my gaze low as I extended my wrist, baring my neck as I curtsied. My only solace lay in the fact that once this part was over, this whole charade would soon come to an end.
A low growl came from the alpha, making my knees quake slightly.
Uh-oh. He’s displeased. He’s probably wondering how a wolf like me even got included in this. I hope he doesn’t think I intended to insult him. ~It was a dangerous thing to upset an alpha. A lesson I had learned all too well.
A rough hand abruptly grabbed my chin and lifted it, putting a stop to my display of submission.
. A strange electrifying sensation danced across my skin from where he touched me, igniting something within me like a dormant spark erupting to life.
I had never felt anything like this before as I tried to make heads or tails of it.
All my senses went into overdrive. His energy wrapped around me like a cocoon, commanding every ounce of my attention. I struggled to keep my eyes down, the desire to look up overwhelming. But decorum overrode instinct in this instance.
“Name?” he questioned, his deep voice sending a shiver through me.
“Sh-Shade,” I stammered, feeling his heated stare on me, but still I fought the urge to meet his gaze.
“Pack?” he asked, his voice growing rougher.
“Thunder Moon Pack.” I replied. “Omega.”
His grip dropped as he reached for my wrist, pulling it rather harshly toward him. He lifted it to his nose and inhaled my scent deeply. Much deeper than seemed necessary. After what seemed like an eternity, he turned my palm over and placed a long, slow kiss across my knuckles.
Did he take this long with the other females? Did he kiss them like this? I can’t remember. I was too busy trying to figure out how to get out of this. ~
I wracked my brain for anything that could distract me from the way he was making me feel. I shouldn’t be feeling this way, especially not with an alpha. It was wrong. Simply wrong.
“Nice to meet you, Shade.” he whispered as his lips brushed across my skin again, sending a bolt of electricity straight to my soul. “I’m Caelan.”
I could hardly comprehend his words as his thumb passed over my knuckles, making me practically melt beneath his touch. I was falling deeper every second his skin was in contact with mine. I shook my head, gently trying to pull my hand back but the alpha held me firm.
“The pleasure is all mine, Alpha C-Caelan,” I assured, struggling to put together a sentence.
What is wrong with me? I’ve never been this affected by any wolf before. Is it his alpha aura? He’s just so powerful that he’s overwhelmed me. That has to be it, right? ~Seemed as good an excuse as any.
He chuckled as he finally released me, and I quickly retreated. Rather rude, I know. But I needed to find a corner to hide in before this got any worse. And before Sunny could turn her rage on me. If she felt even the tiniest hint of a threat, I was sure to pay the price.
But before I could reach my intended destination Beta Taffy hooked her arm through mine and pulled me toward the drinks table.
“That went well! What did you think?” she whispered excitedly.
“Of the alpha?” I replied hesitantly. “He seems nice, but I think he might have been bothered by my presence. He seemed a little tense.”
“Oh, he was bothered all right,” Dillon teased with a smile as he joined us. “But I don’t think it was in the way you’re thinking.”
He shot me a friendly wink, a mischievous gleam in his eyes as Alpha Caelan cleared his throat. The attention fell to him again, causing me to sigh with relief. Being the center of attention had never been a good thing for me.
“Thank you all for coming tonight,” he announced, his velvety baritone causing me to inwardly swoon.
Goddess, I have got to get a grip on myself. ~If all goes according to plan, he could be Sunny’s future mate. I had to nip this in the bud here and now.
“And a special thanks to all the lovely females who agreed to participate in the choosing. For those of you who traveled here from other packs, even if you’re not chosen, please know that you’re welcome to stay for a few days as guests of our pack.
We are indebted to you and your packs for taking the time to participate in the choosing.
However, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve narrowed it down to five candidates,” he continued.
The crowd gasped. An alpha was required to pick at least five females at the start of the choosing, though most rarely narrowed their choices down that far this early in the ritual.
A strange ache built in my chest at the notion of Alpha Caelan choosing a suitable female for his mate. I rubbed at it absentmindedly, wondering if I was coming down with something.
“If I call your name, please come forward,” he stated.
“Deianira Harkan. Harvest Moon Pack.”
A saucy redhead in a long white gown stepped forward, smiling at the crowd in victory.
“Briggita Allegra. Harvest Moon Pack.”
A beautiful blonde in a sapphire-blue dress stepped forward, practically bouncing in excitement as she joined the redhead.
“Talulla Harlow. Harvest Moon Pack.”
A girl in a vivid-green dress with long, jet-black hair and gorgeous dark skin stepped forward, swinging her luxurious locks over her shoulder as she smirked at the other two. The blonde shifted anxiously, but the redhead didn’t even seem to notice.
I waited for the next two names, praying that Sunny’s would be one of them. She would be insufferable on the drive home if she didn’t make the first cut, and somehow, I was sure it would end up being my fault. He was her dream man and after spending a few moments in his presence, I could see why.
“Sunshine Mallory. Thunder Moon Pack,” Alpha Caelan continued.
I breathed a sigh of relief as Sunny took her place next to the other chosen females, her burnt-orange dress fluttering around her heels as she waved to the crowd like a beauty queen.
Thank the Goddess. Soon as he makes his last pick, this whole nightmare will be over. I don’t know why they even bothered to include me. An alpha would never pick an omega as his—
“Shade. Thunder Moon Pack.”
I froze, feeling faint as heads started to turn my way. What? No. He didn’t say… I must have heard him wrong. He wouldn’t call my name. I’m an omega. A servant. I’m beneath him.
“Go on, Shade,” Taffy coaxed, bumping my shoulder with hers. “You’re the final candidate.”
“N-no… I-it can’t be… There’s been some sort of mistake,” I stammered, clenching my hands tightly to hide the tremor in them.
I can’t go up there. Sunny is supposed to be Thunder Moon’s candidate, not me. If I go up there, I’ll be a disgrace to my entire pack. My father will probably come out here personally to remind me of my place. No good can come of this.
“Caelan called your name. You have to go,” Taffy urged, giving me a shove toward the other contestants.
I stumbled forward, only adding to my embarrassment. As I took tentative steps in the direction of the others.
Sunny’s bright smile disappeared, her expression growing darker and more menacing as I slowly walked up and took my place next to her. I could feel the rage radiating off her.
That I had even been considered a candidate had been ridiculous, but now that I was one of the final five, she would be absolutely furious. She was going to kill me if she had the chance.
Alpha Caelan stood behind us, raising a hand to the crowd as they cheered for their alpha and his choices for their luna. I jumped when a gentle touch settled in the center of my lower back, the soft tingling sensation rolling through me in waves. A warmth enveloped me, taking me by surprise.
He’s touching me. Why is he touching me? ~How could I possibly think straight with his hand on me?
I snuck a sideways glance toward my sister to see if he had done the same with Sunny, but his other hand was tucked away in the pocket of his slacks. I dared to look him over once more, careful not to meet his glittering hazel gaze.
My eyes traveled over his form, drinking him in. His brunet hair was perfectly styled and looked so soft, I could feel my fingers twitching with the urge to run them through it. The easy smile on his face both soothed and unnerved me. He was large and well-built as all true alphas were.