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After sitting with Kellan and talking, Beta Yori guided me back to my room, and I fell asleep instantly as soon as my head hit the pillow.
I’m tired. Having no wolf is a disadvantage; the other contestants don’t seem to tire quickly; I do.
Waking, I had breakfast like I do every morning with the contestants. Then, I went into the kitchen and began to cook with Rowan. I say with, but the most she has done is mix or measure the ingredients.
When she tried making the casings for the mini pies, they were
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odd and misshaped, and some were inedible because of their size.
Still, she is helping; her fashion knowledge has been vital to this
event.
Sage, Aurora, Astrid, and Selene are with us in the kitchen. We also have guards and maids stationed around the kitchen. I feel that it is more to protect the king
They are watching our every movement, so do they fear one of the contestants might purposely poison him? Then again, the way he’s acted kind of makes him deserve it. I push the thought away and continue to cook.
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Something I am not looking forward to is wearing the dress outside. I will freeze. I can’t do much about it, though. As I am finishing up plating the items, Rowan leaves and goes outside to set up the table.
While she is, I’m ensuring the canapes are positioned well, something I guess Alpha Draven taught me. Even canapes can lose their beauty if thrown on a plate incorrectly. Maybe I’m excessive, or maybe, as Kellan said, I have OCD?
Carrying them out, I find our table. It’s stunning. Golden tablecloth, with pink glitter shining through. Rowan smiles at
- me.
“You have a choice: you get ready first, or me?”
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“You.” That way, I can warm up before coming back out. I watch her walk off, and I stay by the table. I glance at Sage.
“Everything good?” I barely got to talk to her about it. I notice the meatballs, though.
“I sacrificed one of the canapes. I said she could do the meatballs but no soup. I picked the second one.” I nod and smile, devil’s eggs. It’s simple, but they look perfect.
The whole idea of one of us having to stay at the table is ridiculous. Still, I guess it prevents anyone from sabotaging someone else’s attempt. Twenty minutes later, Rowan joins me.
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Rushing inside, I make my way to the room.
“Elara.” I stop and turn to Kellan. He holds out a shawl. “Wear this; try to save your arms from falling off from frostbite, please.”
I laugh. “Is it allowed?”
“It will match your dress, don’t worry. I made sure.” I take it from him. “See you in about twenty minutes.” He turns and walks away. Rushing to my room, I get ready, deciding to put on the shawl as it might actually stop me from shivering like a freak.
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Stepping out of my room, I bump into someone.
“Elara, you’re late.”
“Sorry?” I look at him, confused.
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“I’m Beta Nova. You’re meant to be in the room with the other women, to begin with, before going outside.” I stand confused. “You have your speech, right? One pèrson from each team will explain what you made and why before the guests go outside.”
I thought we did it at the table.
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“I will tell the king you’re lacking sense right now.” He turns to walk.
“I’m fine. I’m coming.” Rushing after him, I walk down the hall. Maybe I took too long to warm myself up? We walk towards a room, and I watch him open the door.
My body is pushed inside, and the door slams shut.
Fuck.
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Turning, I look around the room. It has no damn windows!
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“Mutt.” I freeze hearing him. “You have had a busy few days. I planned to get someone to fetch you last night, but the child beat me to it.” He laughs.
Turning, I look at him. I thought it was safe. It’s daytime. There’s an event. I never thought they would make a move during the day.
“Kneel.” Beta Luca steps towards me.
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“No!” I won’t fucking do it. I stand up taller.
“I said kneel!” His words come out as an almost growl.
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“No! You can’t make me!” If he hurts me and leaves marks, they will ask who, so he won’t do it. He’s not stupid. The most he can do is force me.
I watch him shift before me, his wolf growling and snapping at me. I move backwards as he steps forward. My head shakes; I won’t kneel.
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He snaps again, catching my dress.
“Fine!” Moving, I kneel. I watch him shift back. “What do you want?”
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“You back where you belong. So you will stay here, fail today, and get sent home.”
“That won’t work.” Someone will look for me, surely? Lhope.
“You don’t seem so sure. Lower your head now.” My head
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drops. “Your interview was interesting; it seems you’re fond of Kellan.”
I don’t respond. My head stays lowered.
“Meet me tonight in this room.”
“No.” I raise my head. “I have nothing to lose by telling them about you.” My heart quickens as he steps closer. His hand tangles into my hair, and he pulls me up.
“Oh, please do. Once I’m gone, both Alpha Ethan and Draven will
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replace me with another Beta. One you won’t know, then you will question just which one is waiting.”
I go to shake my head and stop. With him, I can avoid him, I have been. When I saw him, I turned and went the other way. How can I know if someone else is here for them? Was Beta Nova from them? I’ve not seen them before.
Then again, I haven’t seen all the betas who reside here. Sure, telling them about Luca deals with him, but then I’m blind.
“You will meet me here tonight.”
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“No.” I can’t do that. I can’t willingly meet him. I hear his wolf growl, and his hand grips my throat.
“If you’re not here tonight, I will come for you, Mut, or I could just slip a note through the king’s door. This note.” I watch him reach into his pocket and pull out a photo. No.
My head shakes. “He will for sure notice it’s you and see your mark. If you are not removed after failing to show up at this event, I expect to see you tonight.” He turns and walks out the door. I move and grab it, but it locks.
Moving, I try the other doors, but they are all locked. Now, what do I do?
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