chapter 3

The air blew softly as I stand next to mother and Kian and the rest of our small group waiting for the brides.

We stand outside the pack house in royal robes, mother in a blue satin gown that drags behind her when she she walks. The color blue was a pack color symbolising peace. Her golden crown sat perched on top of her long golden strands. Kian was stood at my left in a black korean styled suit that had a huge blue sash as belt tied to his side. His black hair was jelled to perfection. And there I was, the black sheep of the family as some pack members would sometimes say. I don't know if they meant it literally because I'm black or they meant that I wasn't really royalty and I was adopted, anyways, I was in a blue dress too, silk and soft to the touch. It was a princess style ball dress that swept the floor when I walked. I really wasn't the tallest.

The royal guards had their blue uniforms on with a little bit of red on them. Their swords dangled from their hips like an added amour. Did I mention Kiki had his own crown sat ontop of his head, as the king of werewolves he was supposed to wear it occassionally and his queen will too. I don't think I like crowns that much, it's a good thing mother never bothered getting one for me.

We hear the guards at the gate blowing the horn signalling that the chariots sent to fetch the brides are back with them. Two chariots wheel in the paved path and come to a stop just infront of us.

The guards rush to open the doors for the brides and usher them out. The first girl to come out is dressed in a extravagant yellow gown that would blind the sun. Her brown hair put back neatly, honestly she looked like princess Belle from that cartoon movie Kian hated as a kid. Her smile is wide almost looking painful, she has a fan in hand and the other clutching the hand of the guard ushering her out. "Thank you!" She says loudly and I feel Kian stiffen next to me. The laugh that was bubbling in my tummy is held back when the second girl is ushered out. She's a tinny little thing with skin so chocolate I immediately become jealous. Her curly afro is tied into a beautiful bun ontop of her head, sporting a few accessories and a gentle smile i immediately fall in love with her. I so wish Kian would choose her she seems down to earth.

The other girls are ushered out and we all file into the dining hall for and introduction to the king and I can't wait to make fun of every girl here.

Girl in a yellow gown is the first one to sit down, even before mother and that shows a lot about her teachings or lack thereof. In my mind I immediately cancel out her name without even knowing it.

Fifteen minutes later we are all settled down and the food is served, we are waiting on mother's word, instead Beta Damien speaks out. "Good day ladies. Welcome to the Royal pack, the king and queen mother are pleased to have you. Before we start I would like to remind everyone of the rules, firstly you will only speak to the king and queen mother when they have spoken to you first, secondly no wondering around restricted Royal grounds. Thirdly do not by any means be found in the royal wing of the pack house without an appointment with any of the royals. Last but not least disrespect and breaking of rules will be met with an according punishment." The whole table stays silent.

"Welcome girls, thankyou Beta Damien." Mother speaks out and I sneak a peek at the man of the moment only to find him already looking at me. My eyes widen and I stick my tongue out at him before gesturing at the girls with my head. What was he looking at me for? So many beautiful girls are gunning for his heart and he's got his black scary eyes on me. Lordess!.

"First girl introduce yourself." Mother orders with a voice I've never heard her use. A girl in a black mermaid dress stands before smiling and clearing her throat. "Greetings your Highness, Your excellency, princess Aria and the room at large. My name is Neva Ashton from Star Trek pack and first born to Alpha Lois. I am twenty years of age and best at combat, I have been checked for fertility and believe I would bear a son for his excellency." My eyes almost budge out of my sockets. Do they have to mention the fertility part though?

"Good day Queen mother, your Highness the King and our beautiful princess. My name is Rio Fantasia from Black Moon, second born daughter of alpha Malcolm and Luna Esmeralda. I am sixteen years of age and best at hunting. I believe for once the king wouldn't need a guard when he's with me." That gains her hearty laughs from mother, the Beta and a few royal guards who were listening. I smile too, how would a tiny little thing like her protect the king? But I think I like her more than before now, she's young but speaks with so much confidence and maturity.

"Luna Esmeralda you say?" Mother drawls and the girl nods, "yes your majesty." "Isn't your mother a fae?" And the girl in yellow dress gasp loudly.

"She is your highness." Rio answers, unphased. And mother nods and gestures for her to sit. The next girl is boring, her name is Freya and she isn't much of a talker, she said she's ready to teach the king how to fish since she's from the Avian pack. Her pack is next to the sea and is famous for it's deadly winter storms. She looks too Manly for my liking, who am I kidding, I'm not the one they are here for any ways so my opinion doesn't matter.

Next is a girl named November Andrews, she talked way too fast for me to hear anything all I heard was that she usually doesn't have any energy to do anything else besides bedroom activities so the king won't be hungry and that she would be letting her mother's teachings down if she didn't satisfy the king.

Lastly is yellow dress. Clementine Orsbon from the Green valley pack and first born daughter. She said she's ready to do whatever the king wants with her.

What a bunch of air headed fools, well except for some. Clementine, Freya and November stand no chance at all, but who am I to judge maybe my lovely brother has a thing for air heads. Speaking of, I have never seen Kian looking so bored,the only time his eyes stopped borring a hole to my face was when Rio was introducing herself.

With that, we had lunch and I stuffed myself full with delicious steak and mashed potatoes. I didn't even bother looking up when I felt somebody's son's eyes on me. He keeps staring like he has never seen a walking goddess before.

The girls are later ushered to their rooms on the second floor of the pack house and I stay behind when mother says she has important pack stuff to take care of.

"Which one do you like big brother?." I break the silence when it's just me and Kian around. He pretends to be thinking for a moment and as if a light bulb went on in his head he smirks, "the dark girl. She's gorgeous." He rasps, almost sounding like he's choking on the words. "Oh you mean the little sixteen year old kid. God Kian you're twenty three maybe clementine the twenty five year old would do." I say wanting to see his reaction. "Tsk tsk tsk is that jealousy speaking bunny?" He asks still smirking and I frown, "what's there to be jealous of?" I see him sigh, is he giving up on our conversation?

"See you around little rabbit" he says leaving me all on my lonesome on the table. "Hey I was talking to you, you big teddy bear!" I shout after him but all I can hear is his retreating steps.

I'm almost sad they left me alone until I see the untouched desert infront of me.

"Oh you can go jump off a cliff Kiki, this is all mine." I say wetting my lips in anticipation.