Chapter 5 Not Welcome

• "Why me?" I look at the guards as Beta Luca pulls me to my feet.
• "You're to join the other candidates at the Luna Battle. Alpha Prime Darius has requested that you attend after your submission made the finals."
• My body stills as I’m shocked by their words. I never expected to be chosen. I feel Alpha Draven's eyes on me, and I know his anger is rising because of this. He can't refuse, he can't go against Alpha Prime Darius's orders, but he has the power to announce that I am already bitten and claimed by him.
• Standing, I wait for his words, and I wait for his refusal or acceptance. Surely he will speak soon?
• "Mutt, I suggest you pack your bag."
• I move quickly through the house and to my cell, packing the few items I have. Pulling off the top I am wearing, I winch and hold in the screams.
• Someone steps into my cell as I begin to pull on my top.
• "He sent me to cover your lacerations." Alex smiles, and I turn. "At least you are free." His words are whispered as I bite my lip to stop the screams as he rubs the ointment across my back.
• "For a short time." I won't be forever.
• "All done, good luck." He walks out.
• Pulling my top down, I grab my things and walk out.
• As I make my way through the house, I bump into Beta Luca.
• "You won't be gone long, Mutt. Enjoy the freedom; Alpha Prime Darius will quickly throw you to the curb when he realises you're a wolfless, packless whore."
• His words are correct, and there's nothing I can do to change it. Maybe, though, once I am removed from this competition, I can make it to the Nightfall Citadel, the only place for rejected, wolfless people. Alpha Draven will never come there to collect me.
• I stop at the door, the guards looking at me.
• "See you soon, you can guarantee it." Alpha Draven watches as I walk out.
• I follow the guards and see the packs outside, watching as I step into the car.
• I'm lost on what I am meant to do.
• I don't know anything about this.
• I know nothing about the world, either.
• We stop at the palace, and I step out of the car.
• "The maid will guide you inside." The guard points to the door.
• "Thank you." I give him a small smile, and he nods. Walking to the door, the maid looks at me.
• "Follow me, please. You are the last to arrive."
• I walk through with her. She guides me through the palace, and I glance around, amazed. I thought Alpha Draven's home was lavish. This is on a whole new level.
• "Through here." She opens the door, and I step inside.
• I see the other women they are standing close to each other. Already, groups are forming. I can clearly see the ones who are high up in their packs. The ones trained to be here are standing together.
• Their voices quiet as they speak. Expressionless faces, as if this isn't a big event.
• I stand close to the women but try not to draw attention to myself. Everyone is dressed beautifully, and I am in jeans and an old, worn T-shirt. Their dresses are something that you would expect the king’s Luna to wear.
• My eyes leave them, and that's when I notice the cameras. I'm not ready for this. Panic builds in me.
• "Excuse me."
• I glance up, looking at the man, confused.
• "You're too close. Please move back."
• "Sorry?" I look at the news producer.
• "You heard me. You're too close to the candidates. Move!"
• "I-I'm a candidate."
• I hear laughter. My body is pushed back, and I stumble before regaining my footing.
• "Please don't disrespect the king; he won't be pleased when he arrives to see trash stood with his possible Luna!" The man pushes me back further.
• "I am not lying. I was chosen to be here. Ask the maid. She brought me in." I point to her, and he laughs.
• "Look, you're making us look bad. Move away, you stink." One of the women looks at me with a disgusted expression. "Surely you should be like in the cellar cleaning the floor?"
• I hear some of the women laugh. The producer laughs as well.
• "People like you don't belong here! You're not part of this; you would never be, and the king wouldn't allow it!" He pushes me hard, and this time, I fall and am ready for the pain when I hit the floor.
• Instead, I feel a hand catch me before I can hit it.
• "What is going on here?"
• I look up to see Alpha Kellan holding me. He has the same emerald eyes as Darius.
• "She wouldn't get out of the shot; we were trying to get footage for your highness." The producer looks at him.
• "And why was she required to be moved out of the shot?" He steps in front of me.
• "She doesn't belong here. I am sure when Alpha Prime Darius arrives, he won't be happy with delays caused by the help."
• "Well, you made the delay. Didn't you?" He steps forward. "As you're also 'the help,' you personally caused this delay."
• "I didn't mean to do that, Sir; I needed to get a clear and clean shot of only the candidates."
• "Which she is."
• The producer stills upon hearing his words.
• "I-I..." He stops.
• "Assumed. Didn't the broadcast say everyone was welcome to apply and that everyone had an equal chance?"
• "W-we just assumed that was for the cameras, Sir."
• "Well, it wasn't. Now, apologise; I will be letting the king know about this, considering she is possibly his future Luna and your queen."
• His face pales at Alpha Kellan's words.
• "I'm sorry, miss." He bows his head.
• "Ella." Alpha Kellan waves a maid over. "Please see that Elara is dressed appropriately. Then she fits in." He turns and walks away, Ella rushes and pulls me out. Taking me into a room, she quickly helps me strip and pull on a dress.
• I still look awful, but far better than I had before. I can't complain. Putting on the shoes, I stand, and Ella guides me out. I stand with the women again.
• "God, they really are letting the Mutt stay." One of them glares at me.
• "Well, they need to make it look real. The Mutt will be gone at the first round." One of the women laughs.
• "Ladies!" Someone calls our attention to him. I look forward and see the man standing on a stage. "I'm Beta William. The personal representative for the king. He will be joining us soon, at which point I will announce the first task for you ladies. Please do not approach the king. He will not be doing personal meetings today."
• The girls all nod, and some are clearly excited. I look through them, trying to find where the hell I would fit in. Right now, I don't feel like that is anywhere.