Chapter 2

Exceeding my expectations wolves made out behind nearby bushes and drunk neighbors stumbled out of the building. The sky had just begun to turn purple and people had already become wild. Inhaling a comforting breath of air I exhaled and entered the Townhouse. Immediately I was greeted with the sense of regret as the hallway leading up to the grand party was filled with hushed whispers, and snuffed giggling of a flirtatious conversation. I was never one to be social, so I was never invited to one of these parties. Neither did I have the status of beta or beta’s mate or child. But now entering the main hall I understood why. Luxury was one word to define it, but what I was purely picking up is what some would describe as entitlement. rich parents gathered at what seemed to be a snack and drink bar, clinking their fancy prosecco and wine while feasting on small slivers of sweets. While another corner of the room was occupied by teens decorated from head to toe in luxurious clothing brands, from the finest Gucci, to the prettiest prada. I didn't even want to imagine what was going on in the corner that seemed to be filled to the brim with small toddlers chasing each other with perfume bottles and silver letter openers. Why would someone entrust their children with weaponry? I had no clue, but this seemed like the perfect environment to do so.

“Ah Great! Another volunteer” a voice sounded from behind me.

I jerked, quickly turning to face a thicker petite man in dirty slacks and an apron. I'm guessing this was going to be my boss for tonight.

“Yeah, I'm here to fill-” I was immediately cut off as the man raised his arm to hover in front of my face.

“Don't say anymore, just enjoy your evening. What did you say your name was again?” The man huffed, pulling out his clipboard in what seemed to be dissatisfaction. Not knowing if Debra had told them I was switching or not. I gave him the answer he was probably expecting.

“My name is Debra” I lied, giving him a weak smile.

“Ah! Debra, you're all signed in. Please enjoy the rest of your evening” The man then scribbled a little on his clipboard before walking through a door I hadn't even noticed upon walking in. Turning my attention to the party I swallowed. Debra had said she was catering, right? Then why had that man just told me to ‘Enjoy my evening’? I would have thought it was strange if I wasn't being tempted by the red wine that sat on the snack table. Following orders I approached the lovingly decorated snack table, picking out a wine glass of red wine. Taking a sip, I gagged. It was impossibly sweet. This would give anyone a cavity if they drank even half of the cup. Not knowing where to mingle I approached an empty table sat closer to the stage where a live band orchestrated. The music was light and flamboyant, quite literally putting me to sleep. Yawning, my eyes scanned the room. Interestingly enough there seemed to be a pattern, all women were dressed in white whether it was formal or not we were like a sisterhood of nuns. It was strange, but maybe the men really wanted to clean the training grounds. Shrugging my nerves off I stood sauntering over to a nearby trash can to throw this disgusting excuse of a drink away. Only to overhear a nearby conversation.

“I heard she's, like, an orphan now. How pathetic” A woman's voice sounded from a nearby table, causing me to cawk my head in the direction of the conversation.

“My daddy says she rarely even shows her face around the pack to begin with, good riddance if you ask me.” another voice chimed in causing me to make a realization. Orphaned, barely shows her face around the pack. They were talking about me, and not silently either. My eyes caught the people gossiping and immediately recognized them. Chelsea and her squad of rats. We had history to say the least. She had constantly bullied me throughout my youth, using her status as the alphas daughter to her advantage. Constantly taking things from me, whether it be my confidence or my dignity. She had a hold over me, even now that I was at the ripe age of 19. I'm tired of it, I'm no longer going to be pitiful to her and her goons any longer. She wanted to gossip, I'd give her something to gossip over.

\~\~Now\~\~

I take everything back, I'm glad I took Debra’s place. Now I get to see what this dog looks like soaked head to toe in wine. I gently placed the empty wine glass atop a nearby table.

“Maybe you should go clean yourself up. Or you could look worse than this orphan, and smell even worse” I grimaced as Chelsea’s expression contorted into an aggressive snarl. Wiping loose droplets of wine from her face she composed herself.

“Good Riddance, indeed” she muttered as her and her rat squad wandered off to what I could only assume was the bathrooms. I sighed, facing the wine glass as my reflection caught my eye. I looked strong, and I felt even stronger. Smiling the sound of a microphone turning on caught my attention. Turning I wandered over to the nearby stage, reclaiming the seat I had originally occupied.

“Good evening, my fellow pack mates and welcome to the 21st annual opening party of the Red Moon tradition” August our alpha exclaimed, causing a loud roar of cheers and clapping to echo throughout the hall. Suddenly the feeling of someone tapping my shoulder caught my attention. Turning to face the perpetrator, I was met with a lengthy old woman.

“Dear, please follow me” she spoke softly, calming whatever nerves I originally had. Not wanting to lose Debra a job I nodded before following the old woman out to the courtyard. I slowed as uncertainty flooded my system. Even though I felt as though this was just another part of the job, something didn't feel right.

“Now dear, please stand with your fellow volunteers,” the old lady commanded, gesturing to the long line of young women standing in front of the statue of the village square. All dressed in white. Hesitantly I approached the line, confusion replacing my nerves. The town speakers began to blare, causing me and a couple other women in the line to clutch their ears. Squinting I faced the old woman with the same amount of confusion on my face as I had felt inside. As if the screech of the speakers was a dinner bell, wolves began to flood the streets. Slowly packing up the courtyard creating a sort of pen around the line of women. That's when realization hit me.

This wasn't a catering gig, this was me volunteering to be on the slaughtering line. I had volunteered myself to become a hera. The next line of Blood bags to feed the sum of this world. Scanning the crowd in fear, a familiar face caught my eye. Debra, she clutched tightly onto Maxine as her husband embraced the two, a sense of relief flooding their faces. Betrayal stung within the deepest confines of my heart. Debra was to be next, she was supposed to be the one standing up here. But she had lied to me. All to protect herself and her family from the grief of losing a mother. I would have understood if she had explained her situation, but she had fed me to the lions. She had lost my pity. Lost my respect. I gripped my amulet, keeping my gaze on Debra and her family. Suddenly a cackling caught my attention, cocking my head in the direction of Chelsea caught my attention. I'm assuming she knew all along, and that's why she had been so smug about this. For I was indeed in the guillotine of my volition. As the crowd became more and more dense, so did my emotions. The sense of guilt and regret clouding any form of escape. For even though I was put on a pedestal of death, at least I wasn't alone? Turning my head to face the women who stood beside me one thing ultimately became clear. This is where we are destined to die. The sobbing faces of each woman made that truth ultimately inevitable. My eyes began to water as memories of my mother standing in this very position came flooding back. Was her sacrifice all for nothing? Were we just meant to be here to be sacrificed? Questions flooded my mind as tears flooded my eyes. Bringing my sleeve up to wipe my tears, the speakers blared once more as the familiar voice of our alpha sounded throughout the courtyard.

“Tonight we repay our debt!” He exclaimed.

“For tonight is the night we expand. But this territory does come with a cost. Ten young women for our fellow suppliers to feast upon” August explained, causing everyone but the line of women to cheer. Biting my lip, I faced the woods. I wasn't ready to die. I still had so much I needed to repay. So much I needed to live for. My heart beat rapidly against my chest as I realized what I must do. Adrenaline feeding my never ending will. I needed to live.

“Tonight we begin the sacrifices!” Our so-called alpha exclaimed, receiving a roar from the crowd. My grip on my amulet tightened as I lowered myself into a ready position.

“One my count we shall begin!”

I tuned into my instinct, adrenaline driving my very being. Focusing only on one thing, my will to live. Releasing my amulet I gripped the bottom of my dress preparing to run.

“One...”

My breathing began to quicken, every breath fueling my want for survival.

“Two…”

I must live, for our vow. Mine and my mother.

Exhaling, I waited in anticipation for August's gruff voice to yelp the final number.

“Three!”

The crowd roared as I staggered forward. Not wasting a moment to lag. Running as fast as my legs could carry. Into the den of my enemies. Towards my freedom. Towards my survival.

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