CHOSEN

Crickets can be only heard as I sit in the darkness. I was supposed to be getting ready. Instead Im hiding here smoking a joint to calm my nerves. But time was up. I've put it off long enough, I can't run from it for forever. Tonight was the choosing. The night the Alphas and young women from packs around the country come to meet potential mates. The Alphas have their choice of the females. I live in a very important pack, and we host the choosing every year. To say I was stressed was an understatement. I've made up excuses for the last two years to get out of the choosing. My parents allowed it up until now. All girls had to participate in a choosing before they could mate with a another wolf. It was a right of passage that never sat right with me.

The idea of being mated and chosen by an Alpha made me cringe. I wanted to decide on my own. What did calm my nerves a bit was the possibility of not getting chosen. I was 20, older then all the other girls participating. It would make me less desirable. All I had to do was make it through this night. Then I could mate with a common wolf and live a quiet life. And even if I do get picked, I could just reject them.

The joint got so small it started burning my fingers. Luckily my high started setting in, relaxing me. I threw the joint on the ground as I stood up. Sighing, I stepped on the joint putting it out. I turned around and opened the side door, walking into the kitchen. "Whisp! This is no time to get stoned!" Yelled my mother frantically shaking her hands at me. She was all dolled up already. My mother was a beautiful women. We very much resembled each other. "You smell like skunk and you only have 30 minutes to get ready! I expect this on any other night but not this one!" She said scolding me. "Yeah I'm sorry Ma. Don't worry I'll be ready."

I walked passed her up the stairs. "I laid out your dress on your bed." She called up to me. I gave her a thumbs up as I continued up the stairs.

I walked into the washroom and put up my hair to keep it dry. I washed it this morning. I stepped into the shower and scrubbed my body under the hot water getting rid of the weed smell. I got out of the shower and brushed my teeth after I dried off. I walked across the hall into my room. There was the baby blue dress my mother chose for me with my approval. An A line style dress that was what I could only describe as elegant. Nervousness set in despite my high. Shaking my head I grab it and put it on. I just need to get this over with. Once it was on, I open my makeup bag and went over to the mirror. A little concealer to hide my deep dark circles, eyeliner, and mascara. I let down my hair long black hair and gave it a brush. Done.

I step infront of my full length mirror. I sucked in a sharp breath. I looked liked me, but the dress was beautiful. Too beautiful. What if I do get chosen tonight? What would I do? Im sure rejecting an Alpha is a difficult task. My thoughts were interrupted by my Father. "Whisp! Let's go were going to be late!" I hear him yell. "Coming!" I yelled back. I grabbed my phone off my side table and ran to the stairs.

They were waiting by the bottom of the stairs. My Mom gasped when she saw me. "Gorgeous. Your a gorgeous young woman Whisp." She said smiling. "Thanks." I replied smiling back. My Dad gave me a grin and opened the front door. "Lets go."

We walked about 10 minutes until we came apon a large party in the main field. It was beautifully set up with string lights that lit up a huge dance floor. The stage had a band playing traditional wolf songs that had people dancing. All the girls were dressed to the nines. They all looked absolutely breathtaking, which made me feel better about my chances. Then I notice the Alphas. Young men laughing and mingling with the girls. Lots of them very attractive, charming, and quiet intimidating. They were all in black tuxes. "Nervous Whisp?" Asked my Dad. I nodded my head as I took in the scene. "Did you hear? Alpha Theo is here this year." Said my Mom. "Damn, what a year to be at the choosing." Replied my Dad. "Who's Theo?" I asked. "A very famous Alpha." My Mom responded. "He's been the Alpha of the Fang pack for 6 years but has never taken a mate. They say the a cruel man that rules the pack with an iron fist." She continued.

"I've never heard of him." I say doubting his fame. "Well you've never really paid attention to pack politics my dear." Spoke my Dad walking towards the party.

We make it to the edge of the party. Overwhelmed with the scene infront of me I look to my parents. "I'm scared." I whisper to them. "You'll be fine Whisp. You know how this is going to work. First, the social event, where the Alphas get to know the girls. Then the speech from our Alpha. And finally the choosing. Don't worry, we'll be watching the whole time." Said my Dad trying to reassure me. "You got this." Smiled my Mom. "We'll be right over there talking to the other families."

I gave them an unsure nod as we part ways. I watch them walk away to the group of families mingling. I suddenly feel exposed alone. I hesitantly look around to see people smiling and having a good time. My eyes land on a group of girls talking to a tall man. A tall man who's extremely attractive. With dark hair in a taper fade style. He had sharp features with a rugged stubble that dotted his chin. He gave a slight smile to the girls but looked uninterested. I realized I was staring and quickly looked away.

"Excuse me Miss." I jumped in surprise, quickly turning my head to see a handsome blond man trying to get my attention. "O-oh hello." I say giving a sight smile. "I couldn't help but notice you were standing here alone." He says showing off a dazzling smile. His green eyes gleaming in the bight light. I was flabbergasted and startled that an Alpha was already taking interest in me. "Well I'm not much for crowds." I replied awkwardly trying not to make eye contact. "I'm Alpha Brandon. Alpha of the Hallow pack." He says offering his hand to shake. I hesitantly took it. "I'm Whisp." We shook hands for a little longer then I liked. "I dare say your the most beautiful women here tonight. May I have this dance?" He asked putting out his hand.

"Well..." I say trailing off. "..sure." I put my hand in his. Grinning eye to eye he enthusiastically pulled me onto the dance floor. As I'm being dragged I catch the eyes of many other Alphas. They give me brief glances as I stumble by. Finally finding a spot he liked he put a hand on my waist which made me jump. "Relax babe, were just dancing." He chuckled. I wasn't used to this kind of treatment. Although he was being charming, something felt off about his touch. Nonetheless I put my hands on his shoulders and we start swaying to the music. "I might have to fight some other Alphas for you Miss Whisp. Looks like your drawing lots of attention." He whispers looking around us.

I do the same, noticing the stares. "Im not a fan of it." I uttered directing my gaze away from the peering eyes. "So, what do you like to do? What are your hobbies?" He asks changing the subject. "Well, I like to game often and smoke weed." I chucked out the last part. His smile dropped a bit. "So you don't like too cook or anything like that?" He asks. "No not really. I could take care of myself though."

"That's a shame. You should learn so you can take care of your mate and children." He suggests. I gave him a taken back look. "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not even thinking of having children." I say. I can tell this guy was some sort of a traditionalist, and I'm not one in the slightest. "What do you mean? All women should have children, its their role as the homemaker. You'll want children one day and can learn all the things to take care of a home. " He says happily. He's definitely not someone I want choosing me, not that I want to be chosen in the first place. I pull away from him. "Excuse me." I say calmly. I quickly turn away to make my escape, but I hit something hard.

I hear a woman gasp beside the person I ran into. "I-im sorry I should have watched where I was going." I sputtered out an apology looking up at the stranger. To my surprise it was the man I was staring at before. Our eyes meet. His eyes were an unique honey colour. I paused for a moment, sucked into their rare shade. He had a blank expression, but held intense eye contact. "Theo, come on let's get a drink." The women he was walking with grabbed his arm. He ignored her and continued to stare. I broke our eye contact getting nervous from the intensity. "I apologize, pardon me." I mumbled out walking away flustered. So that's the famous Theo.