Page 24 of Claimed By the Feral Wolves

My mouth tastes of battery acid as I make my way down the corridor. I was just at breakfast with Addilyn and some of the other omegas—the alphas nowhere to be seen—when a servant appeared at my side, leaning down to whisper discreetly that I had been summoned by the council.

And now, I’m pushing through the heavy oak doors, coming to stand in front of the three of them. Alone, they’re terrifying, commanding, their power oozing off of them like strong cologne, but together, the pressure is almost unbearable. Each of them is sitting on a large, elaborate throne, gazing down at me with a mix of amusement and disinterest.

I fall to my knees, bowing and lowering my head to them. I have no other choice. Were I to fight the feeling, my muscles would start to cramp, my bones aching until I gave in and lowered myself in respect to them.

“Hello, Faye,” Brock says. “You may rise.”

Even though he’s given me permission, it still hurts to come back to my feet. My body would much rather prefer that I stayed down on my knees.

“Thank you,” I murmur, eyes cast downward.

“How have you been finding The Selection this far?” Brock asks, and my heart continues to hammer.

Surely, this can’t be why they summoned me, a single omega, just to ask how I’m enjoying the event?

His power influences me to tell the truth. To admit that most of it has been horrible, aside from the few moments I was able to be alone with Cayson and Ezra. Aside from their kindness, and how they’ve been there to save me from Kurt.

I swallow, trying to form words that aren’t a lie, because it would pain me to lie outright to them. But I also can’t tell the complete truth, that Kurt’s presence here is a nightmare to me that I never get to wake up from. That would just lead to them yelling at me and accusing me of making things up again.

“It’s been fine,” I finally manage to say, my eyes firmly fixed on the bottom of the thrones. I can’t bear to lift them any higher.

“Just fine?” Brock asks, letting out a laugh. “Surely, at least some of the activities have impressed you?”

I blush a deep scarlet when I think about last night, when Cayson and Ezra arrived at my door with the board game and drinks. Yes, that activity had turned outmuchbetter than the rest. But then again, anytime I was forced to be around Kurt was terrible.

“Yes,” I manage, nodding a bit for emphasis. “Yes, some of them have been impressive.”

Lance nods, looking happier. “How are you liking the other omegas? Are you getting along with them?”

I think of Addilyn, Janna, and the others, and swallow again.

“I’m getting along with them just fine,” I say, thinking of how Janna had moved to the other side of the room when I asked her about speaking up.

It makes me warm, remembering how angry I was, and I feel the ultimas watching me closely. But I’ve already learned that sharing something like that with the ultimas will lead toabsolutely nothing except trouble, so I keep my thoughts to myself. Besides, I know I’m not really here for that. They want something. All of this has to just be small talk before they get to it.

“Let’s cut to the chase,” a different voice speaks up, and I recognize the cruel tone as coming from Hector. “Faye, you are required to explore your bond with every alpha. That includes Kurt.”

They can’t be serious. Expecting me to explore my bond with Kurt is absolute horse shit when they know I accused him of murder, twice. When they know I believe he killed my brother then Serra. They have to see that Kurt only chose me to hurt me, as insane as that idea is. Right? They’re the leaders of all the wolves. I can’t be smarter than them.

“I–” What can I possibly say? Nothing they’ll listen to. “But my brother… and Serra, Kurt–”

Brock sighs and folds his arms.

“It’s your responsibility to get to know your mates, regardless of what silly, little notions have formed in your tiny omega brain,” Hector continues angrily.

“Hector–” Lance begins, his tone shocked, but Hector continues.

“Because whether you like it or not, you’ll likely be leaving The Selection with Kurt as your mate, so it’s time to grow up and accept that.”

I dry heave, stopping myself just before actually vomiting. My whole body curls forward. A tense silence stretches between them as they watch my violent reaction to just the idea of Kurt being my mate, and I take my hand from my mouth, standing up straighter as the nausea passes.

Cayson, Ezra, and I have a plan. I’ll never get stuck with Kurt.

Lance sighs. “This is…”

“This is how it works,” Hector says, his words biting. “You must bond with Kurt.”

I must, because the only ones who can stop this thing are the other alphas that claimed me. Cayson and Ezra. If they refuse to bond with Kurt, the council will determine the bond cannot be made to avoid the packs warring with each other, and all of us will return next year, with the understanding that we are to make new bonds. It’s a terrible system. An unfair system. One where the omega has no power.

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