Barely Breathing

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 replaced 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 claim 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.
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 went last 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 brunette 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 Isla?”
“Xyrus.” Isla 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-aged ladies entered the hall. The girls hurriedly went back to their place upon their arrival like students rushing to
their seats when the teacher comes. The lady wearing eyeglasses 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.
"Attention ladies, welcome to our annual Mate Hunt. I want to congratulate 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 black 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 plans, 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 too late 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, communicating 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.