Chapter 7: Since when did youe to terms with my enemy?


    The Mate Hunt is being held annually and participated by different packs all over the world. This event


    is as old as time, back to the ancient days of werewolves finding a mate. Before, the monarchy holds a


    royal ball each year, where everyone can socialize first before the actual mate hunt. However, this has


    changed after the war. The council, who reced the monarchy’s rulings has altered it into a more


    primitive way.


    What happens is every female werewolf will be blindfolded and lined up as per status in their pack.


    Then the male werewolves will pass each female to find their chosen and try to familiarize her scent, to


    find her easily on the second part of the mate hunt.


    A chosen mate varies in a man’s preference and the pull their wolf feels is significant in choosing.


    Alphas are more selective though, for their wolf seeks more than the physical attributes of a woman,


    but of strength and bloodline. The pull their wolf feels is usually stronger than ordinary male


    werewolves.


    After the initial part, the females will then be released into the forest to seek shelter while waiting for a


    male to im them. After half an hour, the males will be released to find their chosen.


    Once a werewolf finds his chosen, he will have to mark her to ward off other males. The mark will bind


    the two and give them an unbreakable bond. The unbreakable bond is a gift from the moon goddess


    and will grow stronger as time passes by.


    But there is one problem. The trick is one or more males might find the attraction to one female. That’s


    where the werewolves submit into their primitive nature - a fight.


    There is only one rule: The stronger gets the girl.


    ***


    Females were all gathered in the hall in Moon Valley packhouse. The house was huge, the hall itself


    was wide and has a height of a two-story ceiling. We were all at least a hundred females here lined up


    by status. I, being a warrior stood in the middle, after the alpha, beta, and gamma’s daughters. Ehren,


    being the beta’s daughter stood proudly in the front chatting with another blonde. They seemed to know


    each other well.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Some girls were giggling and sharing their concept of an ideal mate. Others were nervous, fidgeting


    and smiling timidly as others spoke. I, on the other hand, kept silent. We were waiting for the council to


    arrive and to start the initial ceremony.


    “They say alpha Xyrus is here to look for his chosen.” I heard someone said, my ears perked up at that.


    “That’s rubbish! He wentst year.” Someone replied.


    “No, he’s trying once more this year.” I turned slightly and in my peripheral vision saw the three girls


    talking.


    “Oh my gosh Tiffany!” a brte called out to one of her friends. “You have to hear this news!” The girl


    she called Tiffany was with the beta''s daughters.


    “About what I?”


    “Xyrus.” I mouthed. Upon hearing that, more girls came into the circle of three and started giggling


    and whispering about Xyrus. I rolled my eyes and sighed.


    I wish I could be like them, carefree and hopeful. I am not like most girls. My mind is a haywire mess.


    It’s scary to live inside my mind and hear the thoughts going on nonstop. But this is how I am.


    Three middle-ageddies entered the hall. The girls hurriedly went back to their ce upon their arrival


    like students rushing to their seats when the teacheres. Thedy wearing eyesses stood at the


    center of a small made-up stage. The other two stood behind her. They were all wearing smart dresses


    suits for the hot weather.


    "Attentiondies, wee to our annual Mate Hunt. I want to congratte each of you for participating


    in this event. May the moon goddess bless you all with a loving and caring mate.


    In a minute, the males will be here to take their first look at you. So, please put on your blindfold.


    Remember, the males are the ones choosing you. This has been the practice since the primeval time.


    You have to trust the moon goddess with the fate she bestows you. Wish you all good luck!”


    I flipped the cloth in my hand. This is nothing special, just a ck kerchief to cover the eyes. I saw the


    other girls already putting on their blindfolds and tying the knot at the back of their heads. I did the


    same.


    I embraced the darkness, literally, like the fate that awaits us. We are at the mercy of these males. But I


    will fight with all my might, even if I have to break all the rules.


    The feeling of being trapped and out of control in my own life suffocates me more than anything else.


    And, having a mate, means, giving away my freedom, my ns, my dreams, and my soul. And that’s


    what scares me the most.


    Sounds of feet entered the hall. The men were here. I felt nervous for some reason. The hall was so


    silent, no one talked, and I think we were all holding our breath.


    I must have been thinking too much for it was toote when I noticed someone approached me. He


    sniffed my neck. I stiffened. The guy emits power, he must be an alpha or a higher rank. But he went


    away as quickly as I felt him.


    Another one came, then followed by one more, they picked up my scent like the first, and then they


    were gone fast. My wolf kept growling in my head. She has been like this since the first one came.


    ‘What is it, Violet?’ I asked my wolf. She kept growling in my head. My blood went cold when she


    started to howl. Crap! It seemed like Violet sensed danger and she’s warning me. What is happening?


    And then I felt him, Xyrus. My breath hitched when his nose grazed with my neck. He growled. Xyrus


    slowly brushed the tip of his nose from my neck to my ear. I shivered.


    “Looks like others marked your scent. Do me a favor princess, hide carefully so they won’t see you.” He


    said, and for the first time, I agreed with him. Just that, I intend to hide from him too. Oh boy! If only he


    knew.


    “Violet.” He spoke gently,municating with my wolf. “I’ll leave it to you to protect Willow, do as you


    should little wolf.


    My wolf purred in my mind as she heard him talking to her. ‘Traitor.’ I told her. ‘Since when did you


    come to terms with my enemy.’


    Xyrus left after that. Sounds of bells echoed in the hall. That will be our cue that the initial ceremony


    ended. And in a few minutes, we will be heading to the forest.


    ‘Violet, can I count on you?’ My wolf roared in my mind reassuringly.