Chapter Two: The Bonfire
"Run? Why?" I demanded.
Mother turned with speed, looking restless. "There's no time to explain, Lora. If you miss by a second, then you are done for and our family will be thrown to the vampires." She cried, pulling my arms towards the door.
I took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in my throat at the mention of the vampires. That is the last place any of us would want to be thrown to.
We stepped out of our home. The air was cool and friendly yet, it was freezing out here but the fire burning outside made it a little warm. My shoes damp into the wet soil. My mum and I raced through the streets of our village, hurrying towards the bonfire.
The atmosphere changed. I felt my stomach twist and growl as mum pushed me into line with other offerings. All wearing similar silk dresses as mine.
I was still panting from the race when I sighted the two carriages not far from us. One was black with a wolf head as a logo in front of it while the other was brown. My mum gently cupped my chin and turned my face to hers. She smiled at me and patted my hair.
"I am fine mum." I said, gently smacking away her hand. I was the tallest among the girls. I don't need to stand out.
"Please, Lora." Mum's eyes looked weary as she spoke. "Don't try anything stupid. Just please them. Make them happy." She instructed.
"Really? Are we being serious now, mum? How am I supposed to please the Alpha's with my p*ssy when I don't even know how to use it? They could just go for any girl in the entire wolf territory. So why choose us?" I demanded, my voice almost too loud.
My mum didn't answer, she just smiled and kissed my forehead. "I know who you are and what you are capable of. I know you have been reading books about these things." Says mum, winking back at me.
I hesitated for a moment, then hugged my mum and whispered into her ears. "I love you too."
My mum chuckled and patted my back. I felt a little safe at that moment. I never wanted to let go of the hug, it felt so warm and secure.
I took a deep breath and sighed, looking at the sky.
Blood moon.
"Oh my goodness." I muttered, suddenly my body feeling weak and my legs felt like jelly due to the situation.
It wasn't just about the offering, it's about three f*cking Alphas claiming me in exchange for protecting my family, a family that I couldn't sit with to have dinner of spaghetti with. Damn it, not even claiming me as a mate. I hate these rules and traditions.
"It's okay." Says mum. She smiled and stepped away from me.
My eyes darted away to other offerings (girls) who stood in line, waiting to be inspected. I kept scanning my environment until I saw him, tall as me, same face, same lips and same eyes.
It was my brother.
My eyes became teary instantly. It's been a long time since I saw his beautiful face. The twin connection between us flared and burned through my chest. This time was stronger than I could remember. The cold night air made me hug my arms, giving me goosebumps as I stared and smiled at him.
"Carlos," I muttered. But soon, a shadow hovered over my head, huge and strong. I squirm softly and shrink back from the man before me. His blue intimidating eyes found mine. His lips curled into a smile that didn't look friendly. He tugged back his dark hair from his face to get a proper view of me.
Nicholas Perez, the Alpha and commander of the grassland. He stood before me, tall and strikingly handsome. His tattoo caught my attention, and inky flame and the grassland towards the ocean was ink on his arm. He looks intimidating though, but I didn't cower back.
"Is there anything I should know?" He said with a husky voice. I looked back at my brother, my father was standing beside him. Immediately, I knew I had to act well not to disappoint him.
"Nothing…there's nothing Alpha Perez." I stammered.
"Are you scared? Why is your leg shaking." He spoke again, making me feel a twist in my stomach. I turned to the other girls, they all bowed their heads. The other Alphas stood watching with hungry eyes, their body intense and built with abs and muscles.
"No, Alpha. I am sorry." I muttered softly, my head bowed in respect to him. Alpha Baron, Commander of the water village burst out with laughter before approaching us. He placed his arm on Alpha Perez's shoulder. He has a similar tattoo but with water.
"This offering will be in the black carriage with us." He said, smirking at me. I raised my head and my eyes met Alpha Nicholas's eyes. He is my Alpha, Alpha of the grassland.
His stare pierced into my soul, I could feel it, stronger than the twins' bond. His jawline is perfect, cheekbones high and his black hair kept falling over his face.
"Stand upright." He finally spoke, but his tone was dangerously low, more like a threat. I scramble for an answer, should I lie or what? What should I say, I can't lie, he would find out and I can't embarrass my family here.
"You are late. Why?" He asked.
"I…I was getting ready for the offering." I lied but that's all I could say. I would not let him know I was scared or almost indecisive of what underwear to wear. His lips moved so close to mine that I could smell the strong smell of vintine wine from his breath.
Alpha Nicholas smirks at me before stepping back. My body reacted in a sensational way that I couldn't imagine, I haven't felt that way before. Unexpectedly, he brushed my thigh slowly, my breath stopped. He raised the hem of my dress, revealing my white panties, he then slowly and deliberately traced the edge of the pant, sending an electrifying sensation through my spine. My body is on fire and my eyes flutter. My body was betraying me but the idea of getting laid by the Alpha became more intriguing.
Alpha Nicholas stopped and then spoke. "This one goes into my carriage." he instructed and then stepped back away from me.
I finally opened my eyes. He moved to the next girl to inspect her. I turned to face my father and brother, and I saw them smiling at me, a sign that they were proud of me. But behind those smiles, my brother's jaw was strong, he didn't seem happy. I wanted to go and meet him, to tell him it's okay but I can't, I will have to wait until tomorrow to see him, to talk to him.
The third Alpha came and stood in front of me, the forest Alpha and oldest among the three Alphas yet he is the nicest of them all.
Alpha Jackson. He has short dark golden hair that lays smoothly. He looked handsome, maybe a bit more than Alpha Nicholas. All three Alphas were sexy and this made me feel sensational towards them.
My body was already betraying me, I couldn't deny the fact that I was already thinking how I will get laid by one of them, possibly the three of them. He leaned closer to me and sniffed my neck, he took a deep breath, inhaling everything before releasing the deep breath.
"Make sure you ride him harder." He smirks and wink at me. He was referring to Alpha Nicholas. He walked towards the rest of the girls to inspect.
Nicholas stared at me before turning to a lady and spoke to her. "You are coming with us in my carriage."
That was Lady Morgan. Her name alone sends shivers through my spine. Well, the most anticipated night I thought would be intriguing just became officially ruined. She is everything good to other people except me, we never get on good terms with her, not even once. She has always tried to ruin my life and she just proved it tonight.
"Thank you my Great Alpha, it's an honor but I must confess, she was born in winter. I wouldn't want to bring bad luck for you, My Alpha." She said as she bowed her head gracefully.
I rolled my eyes with 'well, I don't give a damn about you.'
The three Alphas spun around and looked at me.
"You are…" Nicholas walked towards me majestically. "Born of winter?" he asked.
I nodded my head while lowering my gaze not to meet him. He turned and looked at Baron and then to Jackson, the third Alpha who nodded his head.
They turned and
looked at me again and then, Nicholas said one word.
"Put her into the Black carriage."