Chapter 3. Birthday Wish

I've cleaned multiple times again today. Alpha Draven has been watching me unusually closely, and I feel like something is coming. I don't know what, but something.

He never usually pays this much attention to me outside of the bedroom. So why now?

I followed their orders last night despite the immense pain I was in. I didn't refuse or say no. So I know I have not done something wrong with them, or at least I hope not.

"Mutt." I move and kneel at his feet. "I am busy; ensure the guest room is cleaned and ready for guests who may be staying tonight."

"Yes, Master." He stands and walks out. I walk through to the bedroom and fight back the vomit. The memories of last night are more potent in this room.

The blood is still on the floor and the bedsheets. Along with actual vomit because Alpha Ethan seems to have a fetish for gagging women to the point they are physically sick.

I began to clean the room, removing every trace of evidence of what had happened to me in this room last night. It takes far longer than it should due to my body hurting. The bruises are far more prominent today.

They cover every inch of my body, and my face isn't excluded; it didn't escape the torture of abuse. Carrying the sheets through the house to the laundry room, the maid looks at me and takes them. I stop when I see the Television on. I rarely get to see it or watch it.

It's the king, Alpha Prime Darius.

"Anyone is welcome, yes." He stands tall, his hair dark, and his eyes bright emerald.

"Does that include those of poorer backgrounds, without strong packs, or without a pack at all?" The reporter questions him, and the camera zooms in.

"Yes. There is no restriction on it, except the contestants can not be bitten and claimed." What is going on? I look towards the maid.

"You didn't know? After the king had died, Alpha Prime Darius took over. He's holding a sort of game, a trial for females between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five. He's looking for his Luna."

I didn't know.

"No, I shall not be personally selecting. How would that be fair?" He chuckles and leans forward, looking directly at the camera, almost like he is looking through the lens directly at me. "Magic will be used. Fifteen women, one winner. However, there is a chance a lady may be lucky and picked up by Alpha Kellan."

I hear claps and gasps. Alpha Kellan is his younger brother, the prince. So, while one will become his Luna and the queen, one will possibly be chosen by Kellan to be his Luna.

"It's easy. Those wanting to take part, go online, answer a few quick questions and await to be whisked away to the castle." His smile widens. I mentally record the website link.

I can find time, I'm sure of it. Turning, I leave the laundry room. I have twenty-four hours or less. The rules are simple: the entry form will be locked in twenty-four hours or when ten thousand women apply. Whichever comes first.

More than likely, the ten thousand women applying will be what closes it, not the time limit. I walk through and pretend to be cleaning; I briefly check the Beta's rooms, finding them empty.

Rushing, I sit at the computer and type in the address.

The form begins easily. Name. Age. Date of birth. Pack name if applicable. Questions regarding my appearance. Questions regarding my occupation or standing within my pack. Then it gets interesting. It asks about sexual partners.

That question, I lied on. I couldn't possibly answer the truth anyway; I don't know the exact number of men I have slept with or how many times I had sex.

Then it is the question about being bitten and claimed. I again lie. I will keep my mark hidden. Ten minutes later, I finished and submitted it.

Quickly deleting the history, I walk out and try to make it look like I am doing the regular jobs I am meant to. I doubt anything will come from this. He said everyone can apply, but even I know that those women will all have wolves and a pack and be high up in their pack. The daughter of another Alpha.

Me? I'm sold. I don't know who my parents are. I don't know if I came from a strong pack. I know nothing.

So of course I won't be chosen. If it was truly picked using magic, why require answers to so many questions? It feels more like it is so they can ensure the woman selected will be as good as Luna.

"Mutt." I walk through and kneel, lowering my head. I wait. "You have a gift." I don't raise my head, even though I want to. I have never been given a gift before, and I'm unsure what to say or do.

"You may raise your head." I lift it and look at Alpha Draven. "Apparently, you made a good impression on Alpha Ethan. He requested that he be allowed to give you a gift, and I agreed."

"Thank you, Master."

"We spoke, and he suggested you may find a blanket more beneficial than a gift such as a bracelet." He holds out the giant blanket, and I have to be honest, I would rather have the blanket than a bracelet or anything else.

My cell is cold.

"You may take it." I reach out, taking it from his arms. "You understand, I only agreed because he has decided to go ahead with our deal and felt you should be treated for your part." The words are almost growled.

He didn't want to agree. I can tell by his tone he wanted to refuse but couldn't. Instead, he agreed to get the deal signed.

"Thank you, Master. I understand."

"Good, you may leave." Standing, I walk out; it's late now. Returning to my cell, I unfold the blanket and wrap it around my body. It feels amazing.

Sleep takes me instantly; the warmth and comfort of the blanket are the perfect gift; I rarely fall asleep quickly; I need to either be in tremendous pain or be extremely tired as the coldness of my cell prevents me from sleeping.