2631

~Aria

Seeing all those people staring at me flushed me with a wave of utter embarrassment, in the form of pink tinted cheeks.

Girls of all different Pack ethnicities were sitting on chairs in the main foyer, and they all turned to stare at Macie and I, as we were ushered in. For a few moments, no one said a word, the people at the front, who I recognised-purely from their television appearances-as the Alpha family.

Malik's parents were the first I saw. The regal former Luna of the Love Pack, Cecily, stood upon a slightly raised platform, along with her mate, the former Alpha of Love, Alexander. Extremely important people were staring at me, and I suddenly don't know what to do with my hands and arms.

But where is their son? The Alpha cannot be seen anywhere.

Alexander, the former Alpha looked grim at our sudden appearance, whereas Cecily looked delighted by the fact that we had finally arrived. I didn't have time to look at all the girls, who stared at us like we are the strangest creatures in this land.

Well, if they plan to mate the Alpha of Love, they better get used to our physical traits.

"We were getting worried," Cecily said, looking past us, to Elaine. She moved around me, stepping in front of us to talk directly to the Alpha family. There was no way I would be able to formulate a proper sentence around such nobility anyway. Perhaps I would embarrass myself to the point where I would be sent home by them

Cecily steps forward, while Alexander stays standing on on the edge of the platform. The other girls watching did not say a word, and I wonder what they had been briefed on before Macie and I arrived.

"We apologize," Elaine says, in a voice I hadn't heard her use before. Something told me she is instantly sucking up to them, which In can't blame her for.

Macie clung to my arm, and for once, was quiet. Judging by the way she stares heavily at Cecily, she is admiring what she wears. Her dark hair is swept back, held in place by a diamond encrusted clip. Her entire body was draped in the finest silk fabric, coloured to match the glittering hair piece that was probably worth more than anything I have ever bought.

"The girls may take a seat," Cecily said, clasping her hands together. "We have a few things to go over."

With Macie by my side, we wandered to the two empty seats next to each other, following the former Luna's orders. As I took a seat, I noticed I was sitting by a girl who looked a lot like a Desire Pack member. I don't know much about them, since I've never been out of the Love Pack, but I do know their dark, sultry features however. The girl beside me is a perplexing kind of beautiful, and I have to turn away the moment I look at her, to not come off like a total creep.

Sitting at the back meant I couldn't look at any of the other girls, so I was stuck staring at the back of their heads. I didn't mind though...It is giving me time to collect myself.

"Now, we shall reiterate what we briefly went over before, so the two girls who joined us, may understand," Cecily proclaimed, stepping back onto the platform to address us. My mind still lingers on the fact that Malik isn't here right now, despite this competition being about him. By the looks of the girls in front of me, and the way they seem to be glancing around at every opportunity, they are wondering the same thing.

Shaking my head, I mentally curse myself for worrying about that.

I watch as Finn, and the other man who was with him, take their place beside them, and I even notice Finn whisper something to the former Luna. She nods at him, smiling slightly.

"Welcome competitors, Aria Quade, and Macie North," Cecily said, and I few girls turned to look at us. Glancing down, I try hide my blush, while Macie grins and waves at everyone who was looking. I can imagine her having no trouble making any friends while she is here. Her charisma will not only attract Alpha Malik, but all the competitors.

The Desire Pack girl who I sat next to, nudged me. "Seen the Alpha on your way in?"

Twisting to my left, I finally take a good look at the girl. Her features strike me as immediately intimidating. She looks like the kind of person who commands the attention in a room, and she might just be good competition for Macie. However, they are a different kind of attractive...With this girl's dark eyes that I could almost see myself in.

"No," I whisper back, trying to keep my voice low so no one else hears. Cecily is talking about safety measures within the competition, and how we were to come to our assistants if we had any problems.

"Shit," she swears crudely under her breath. "I'm only really here for the sex."

My eyes widen at her words, shocked by her lack of filter. She grins at me, showing me an immaculate set of straight teeth. Desire Pack members: forthright, confident and rather sexual. Knowing Malik's nature, from what I have heard, he is probably going to enjoy the girls from the Desire Pack.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," she says, nudging me again. "I'm Brynn, by the way."

Brynn. It seems like the kind of name, that belongs to a sweet and innocent girl. Not this Desire Pack member. However, I force a smile onto my face, trying to be like what Alexa had tried to train into me. So I introduce myself to her, which really was pointless, since Cecily had done it for me.

"Now, how the competition will run, while be up to the Alpha. We are unsure of his plans for you all, however I trust in my son, that he will chose an appropriate Luna for this Pack," Cecily said warmly.

Alexander didn't say a single word. He remained with his hands folded over themselves, as he regarded us all with a stony look in his eyes.

"Due to the lack of information we have, also, we do not have much to prepare you for," Cecily explained, and a few girls mumbled in annoyance. "You will have the night to unpack, and settle into your allocated rooms, before you meet Malik tomorrow."

Tomorrow? Now that is surprising.

"There is one thing, that we can explain," she said, and everyone looked up again expectancy. "This is a rule I am sure you will all follow, unless you would like to face elimination."

Her words were said with such seriousness, I knew that we had to take it seriously. Everyone else in the room noticed too, and even Brynn and Macie, who flanked me, stopped moving and looking around, as if to catch a glimpse of Alpha Malik.

"Everyone will receive a pair of gloves, you will be expected to wear at all times. This is to ensure that there is no chance of finding a mate bond within this competition, until the end. That way, we know Malik will chose the girl right for the position, rather than his heart."

My eyes widen at her words, and a few other girls gasped. Is she serious?

Finding my mate is my goal in life, and as the Alpha of Love, I thought that maybe, Malik would feel the same way. Or is this his parents away, because they seem to have a handle on this thing. And by the look on Alexander's face, he doesn't seem too pleased about the Alpha's choice of completely taking over what is happening in the competition.

"If whoever he selects, happens to be his mate, we will not know until the end," Cecily tells us, and I have to fight to shake my head.

She rambles on for awhile longer, but I hardly listen.

Once she was done, we were told to go straight to our rooms to unpack. Camera's left, so we weren't allowed to make our first impressions until tomorrow, until they could film them. To me, it made everything seem so fake. Especially when Elaine grabbed my shoulders, and lead me straight upstairs, to where my room is going to be.

"You can size your competition up tomorrow," Elaine whispers in my ear, when she catches me looking at the two Wisdom Pack members who were staying down the same corridor I was.

The place seems like one I could easily get lost in. The walls are made of dark wood, which was a surprising contrast to the glass exterior. Where the Alpha was staying, I have no idea, but I am almost certain it will not be near us. It seems also, that I could wander down one corridor for days, and not reach the end of this large estate. It is breathtaking its own right.

"This is your room," Elaine says, nodding to a door Finn had opened to place my bags inside. "You shall not leave, unless accompanied by me, or Finn."

To be completely honest, it did unnerve me that Finn knew where I would be spending my nights. Something about him made me uneasy, which I hate to admit. He is one of Alpha Malik's staff, and I'm here thinking he's possibly dangerous or something. At least he is good enough to carry my luggage all the way from the long corridor and up the stairs.

"Not even to use the bathroom?" I question warily.

Following Elaine into the room, I notice how she points to a door on the opposite side of the room. Clearly it is an enjoined bathroom, which makes me sigh in relief. As someone who sometimes wakes up in the middle of the night to use the restroom, this makes me feel a lot more at home.

But it still feels like a prison. Staying in here constantly, unless it's stated otherwise..." I don't think so.

"It's not even that late," I note, when Finn left the room, and Elaine was beginning to follow suit. It must be late afternoon, but I am someone who enjoys delving into the depths of the night. If I am stuck in here, I might just drive myself into pure insanity.

Elaine rolled her eyes, before she pointed to the bedside table. "You like books don't you?"

Glancing over my shoulder, I realise there is a book left at my disposal. When I turn back around, Elaine was gone, and she had closed the door after. Sighing irritably, I decide not to disregard a book, and wander over to it, to inspect it.

The edges over the cover are frayed, and I am dismayed when I realise this isn't something I would read to enjoy myself. This is pure non-fiction about the Love Pack, which is something I learnt back in school. There is no way they can expect me to sit here, and read this...Now I really feel like clawing my hair out.

I decide to spend sometime inspecting my room while I unpack.

The room I've been given is small, but nothing to complain about. The bed is a single, with stiff bed sheets, but at least they will keep me warm. Closet space is limited, but I didn't bring much with me anyway, so I hang up my coats, and stuff the rest of my items into the small dresser with a mirror upon it.

There are no decorations or major furnishings to marvel at. Bland white walls and dark blue carpet. A small lounge chair by the one window gives me a space to read, if I had a decent book. At least I can remark upon the view, however, all it shows me, is snow dusted everything. Nothing new to what I looked at back home.

Do I miss home? At least I'm not far from it, like the other Packs. Especially those Pack members who come from warmer climates. I feel sorry for them, and the adaption it will take them to get used to it here.

When I find a small piece of laminated paper in the bedside table draw, I brighten a little.

It is a full map of the entire building. It seems so much bigger, when I look at it from this map, with all its stories and what not. However, one half of the map is crossed with a large X, which leads me to assume that is where the Alpha's family stay. Somewhere forbidden to commoners such as myself.

It's not that, though, that catches my eye. It's the small square sketched into the room, with the word library on it. Something tells me Alpha Malik might just have a library with better books in it...

Changing coats, into something a lot thinner and presentable, I make the decision to wander out.

The halls are quiet when I open the door. Peaking my head around the doorframe, I see the corridor is completely barren, which differently appeals to me. If I get caught, going to get another book from the library doesn't seem like too much of a sin, does it? Perhaps I would be let off, if they knew I was rather inclined to read, than find the Alpha.

With the map to guide me, I find the library easily. Dodging four security members was tough, but eventually, I found ways around them, and was introduced to the wonders of the Alpha's library.

"Woah," I murmur, slowly closing the door behind me.

Stacks of books stood proudly upon beautifully sculpted shelves. This place is a wonder, and I want to explore it. There is no way there isn't a book to interest me here...Perhaps I will get lost for hours within this place.

It was as I gently running a tentative fingertip down the spine of a rather beautiful looking book, did I get the shock of hearing someone clear their throat from behind me. I cringed, knowing I was going to have to rattle off one of my many excuses I had mustered in my mind, in preparation for one of the guards.

"You can't blame me," I murmur, drawing my finger away. "You left me with one of the most mediocre books..."

My words failed me, once I turned around. Because that isn't a guard standing behind me-I know that much. This is a man, with a slight smile on his face, assessing me silently, listening to my ridiculous baffling.

He is not just a man though. He's an Alpha.

The Alpha.

💗••💗

🎀🎀

Midikacrane

Midika

~Midika 💜🐼