22. Chapter 22 #2
I read through it, pleasantly surprised at how well my profile read.
I received high scores in collaborative instincts, relationship maintenance behaviors, and loyalty.
Even better, my intelligence and creativity scores were so high that I ranked in the top 5%.
I smiled to myself, relief following through me. My results weren’t bad at all.
I scanned lower, looking at the potential areas of concern. When I read them, it was like I was reading someone else’s file.
Observed Areas of Concern:
Low self-security markers
Elevated self-sacrifice tendencies
Difficulty prioritizing personal needs
Past Trauma markers: HIGH
I sat back, my mouth dry. I didn’t think I had high trauma markers. Sure, my family wasn’t great, but I was still doing well at my job. I felt a heat rush through me as I faced the truth about who I was, here in black and white.
Despite having areas of concern, overall, my file was very positive.
It showed that I’d be a great match with packs with high ambition, high intelligence, and who had strong empathy and protective instincts.
I bit my lip, wondering if there was hope for me after all.
Once I got my registration error fixed up, I could submit this and see who else was out there.
My eye caught on Arabella’s file. Curiosity sprang up inside me.
I knew I shouldn’t do it, but I was so interested in reading it.
It wouldn’t hurt to take a peek in hers, see exactly what was so great about her that Pack Vale matched with her.
I opened her file, and felt the shock course through me as I read the results.
Subject Compatibility Assessment: Arabella Carrington
Primary Social Functions
Ability to create emotional safety within bonded groups: 12%
Ability to support long-term pack cohesion: 2%
Ability to regulate conflict during periods of stress: 11%
Likelihood of prioritizing collective needs over personal advancement: 9%
Long-term bond stability projection: 9%
I sat back as I read, not believing what I was seeing. These were incredibly poor rankings in each category. If this was true, Arabella’s scores were abysmal. I read on, my heart racing.
Observed Areas of Concern
Elevated manipulation tendencies
Elevated rivalry markers
Poor emotional authenticity
Below-average empathy scores
Bonding Risk Factors
High likelihood of prioritizing pack prestige over emotional connection.
High likelihood of generating intra-pack competition dynamics.
Elevated probability of relationship destabilization
Increased probability of attachment disruption during periods of reduced attention or status reinforcement.
The subject may experience difficulty maintaining long-term emotional intimacy.
Notes
Subject's behavioral profile demonstrates significant incompatibility with healthy multi-partner bonding structures.
Registry Status: RESTRICTED
Current Recommendation: Not Approved for Matchmaking Database Enrollment
Further Psychological Evaluation Required Prior To Registration
Further evaluation, counseling, and reassessment are required before future registration may be considered.
MATCH REGISTRATION STATUS: DENIED
I dropped the papers, blinking hard as I realized what I’d just read.
Arabella’s scores were so poor that, according to her paperwork, she shouldn’t have been able to even join the database - she was denied based on her file.
I swore I could hear my heartbeat in my ears.
If this was who Arabella was, then how on Earth could she match with Pack Vale?
She shouldn’t have been able to match with anyone!
My eyes drifted over to Pack Vale’s paperwork. I eyed their files, wondering how bad they could possibly be for her to match with them. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach as I reached for their papers.
My hands shook as I took the file, opening it up to read about their pack. Each of them had their own personal profile, but I flipped to the end, where I could see their pack match needs. I felt my mouth drop open as I read it.
Ideal Omega Profile Requirements
High Emotional Stabilization Behaviors
High Collaborative Instincts
Elevated Empathy Integration
High Intellectual Curiosity
Preference For Cooperative Relationship Structures
Every line felt familiar, and my eyes darted back to my own report.
Then back to theirs again. No. No. Every single page felt as if someone had taken my report and turned it into a wish list for their pack.
My breath came faster, and suddenly a horrible realization settled over me.
My mind went back to that day when our results came in.
I remembered the way Arabella had suddenly become interested in whether I planned to submit my results. The way she’d gone quiet when she read, and took my file away before I could even read it. How she’d run up and disappeared, not mentioning she was going to submit her results.
And the way my ID said it was already registered - but not by me. The sinking feeling was overtaken by a growing rage as I realized what had happened.
My missing profile was already registered because someone else was using it. Someone with horrific results, who stole mine. My profile, which showed top-tier results, and was a near-perfect match to the needs of Pack Vale.
The match Pack Vale had wasn’t with Arabella. No, my manipulative, conniving, narcissistic stepsister hadn’t matched with Pack Vale.
I had.