Chapter 2
Sarabella POV
I woke up when I heard the bathroom door shut and the sound of the pouring shower. I drank too much last night but still felt well enough to clean the mess we made before getting myself ready. Anyway, Lia was already in the shower and, though on a usual basis, I wouldn’t care and get ready at the same time, I could feel she needed the moment to herself. So did I, truthfully.
With bottles and trashbags in my hands, I went downstairs, all the way to the packhouse kitchen. It was still early but some Omegas were already preparing breakfast. I gave them all a bright smile which they sent back, and we exchanged some good morning and a good laugh about my hungover condition. They pressured me to go and get prepared, that they would take care of everything. One even shoved a piece of toast between my teeth so that it could ease my upset stomach. Thanking them, I left in a hurry, hearing the voice of Lia in the corner of my head, urging me to go back to her room.
“What’s the problem here?” I asked her as soon as I opened her door. I let out a huge gasp when I acknowledged the state of the room I just tidied up. “What happened here? A tornado?”
“You can say it like that… I don’t know what to wear.” She muttered, sulking at the sight of her entire closet thrown on the ground.
With a smirk, I started picking some outfits out, folding them, and disposing them on the bed, after making some space.
“Since when do you care about what you wear?” I asked playfully, trying to lighten up the mood. Malia had never been the one to take care of her appearance. She always said she preferred practical outfits over cute ones.
“I’ve been thinking about it, and I know what you think, it is not to impress, but you know… to impress. Do you get it?”
I laughed and hugged her, though I felt her slight reluctance to the tight physical touch. “I know. You want to scare them away by looking like a total badss warrior. Am I right?” She leaned her head on mine, and I heard her sighing loudly. “I need to. I want them to know that if they want you, they will have to get over me.” She whispered. I patted her back softly.
“You know, I don’t mind having a chosen mate, though, by the Moon Goddess, it doesn’t feel right. But I want to help, to show that there are still hopes. I am not scared. I want to do something for our kind and bring pups to this world.” I regretted speaking too fast, some sadness lacing up my voice that I couldn’t control. Fortunately, Lia was too concerned about her wardrobe problems, so I kissed her quickly on the cheek and disappeared into the bathroom to shower.
“Put everything in your luggage and I'll dress you up after I showered!” I shouted from behind the closed door, before embracing the contact of the water on my skin as I needed the coldness to calm down.
Malia POV
She thought I didn't know, but I did. I knew she was hiding something from me, but I just didn’t know what. I glanced at her as she was staring outside the car window, letting out a silent sigh every few minutes. I was worried. I didn’t know what put her in such a state and it was painful. I wanted to reassure her, to take her pain away, and to see her smile. She was my world. I was grateful our parents got us exempted from the shifting ceremony and claiming until our twenties. They played the card of rarity to the Packs Council, stating that being twins, and females, tripling that with Alpha born, they should prepare us well and more. Polish the diamond they said. They agreed to it. And I was glad they did. Because I would have been separated from Bella too soon. I selfishly wished nobody could claim us this year. But even better, I wished she had a fated mate. I knew she wouldn’t give too much of a fight to make it easy for males during a hunt. We were most likely stronger so she had the hopeful thought she could get through a chosen pregnancy. I prayed every night, except the last one oops, that her wish could come true and that she stayed safe. I wished that she would be healthy and happy.
I didn’t care about me.
I extended my hand and pressed her in mine, causing her to jump a little, as I cut her off from her thoughts. She offered a confused look, and I simply smiled.
“You are gorgeous. Your claiming will break the entry record.” I said, gesturing to her, again, dressed impeccably, in her lilac dress.
The heart-shaped collar enhanced her generous cleavage, and the corset showed her slim waist. The evasive skirt was dropping just under her knees, right above her delicate ankles, displaying her small feet in heels. Her hair was held in a loose-sided braid, tied with a ribbon matching her dress. She lifted her hand and arranged her fringe, looking at me with puppy eyes.
“You think I’ve overdone it, right?”
Mom turned from the passenger seat and smiled from ear to ear to her girly girl. “Of course, not Bella, you are perfect. I had to use all my tricks so that your dad does not back off this year again because we are sure to see you off.”
All we heard was Dad growling softly to Mom who squeezed his arm in reassurance. “If I could, I would enter your Claiming lottery.” I grumbled, displeased that I was not even allowed to interfere if something went wrong.
To that point, I noticed my Dad glancing at me in the mirror. I could see his pleading and of his wolf through his eyes for me to protect her. Oh, I sure would. Rules or not. I was trained for this. I planned to challenge her chosen mate after the Claiming. And for me, I didn't need a chosen mate. They could still try and come at me. I would challenge each of them for my hand. Then, I would wait for my fated, or I simply would run the pack after my Dad.
“You will be too busy with your own, Lia. Dressed like that too, I have to say that I am tempted to enter myself.” Mom giggled, flashing me an encouraging smile. Bella winked, pressing my hand in return, knowing too well the magnitude of her doing.
Embarrassed, I turned my head to look at the scenery. I wasn’t used to dresses. I would rather wear sports attire so I could move freely. But for the presentation on the first night, formal attire was mandatory, you know, to look good and live up to the pack's reputation. The black dress that Bella chose for me hugged my curves so close it felt like a second skin. I was less voluptuous than her, breast-wise, but was gifted back there. Thanks to all the training and genetics I presumed. Nonetheless, I thought I looked too good for my goals. Not to brag, but with my hair straightened and dancing freely over my shoulder, I looked almost as good as my feminine sister. I refused any makeup other than dark red lipstick, mascara, and a wing of eyeliner. My war paint. The idea of a cute blush on my cheeks didn’t sit well with me. Though it could deceive some contestants. It was too late to swap my strategy. I was going head-on into the lion's den.
The car finally stopped at a gate and Dad rolled down his window a few inches and said a few words to the guard who after a quick glance at the backseat merchandise let us through. I rolled my eyes so high I could see Shila sleeping in the corner, unphased by all that was happening. I thought she was a bit too indifferent to the situation, though I have no doubt we would be strong enough to overcome what was coming our way. *