Defy The Alpha(s) 2: Rebel Beast

Chapter 3: Selected

"Welcome back to the land of the living, little bitch."

A familiar voice cut through the darkness before Aria could even open her eyes. Her stomach twisted in recognition. Her eyes snapped open to reveal Jack, her mother’s useless boyfriend, leering down at her.

Damn it.

"That’s enough, Jack."

Her mother’s voice came from somewhere behind him, laced with warning.

"I leave you alone for one minute and this is how you treat my daughter?"

Jack scoffed. "Your daughter needs to understand she can’t go around trying to kill herself, not after the investment we’ve made on her."

"Oh, you mean the money we got for signing her up without her permission?" Quinn shot back. "Or the one we’re still waiting for?"

She stepped closer, her voice dropping. "If that’s the case, you can at least try showing her some respect."

What the hell was going on?

Aria groaned, her head throbbing as she tried to move. Big mistake. Pain exploded behind her eyes. Everything was too bright. Too loud.

She squeezed her eyes shut, her breath hitching as she tried to steady herself.

Where was she? What happened?

"Darling..." Her mother’s tone softened instantly as she moved closer, her face coming into view. "How are you feeling?"

Aria ignored the question.

"Where the hell am I?" she rasped.

"In the hospital," Quinn replied. "Don’t you remember?"

The scent of antiseptic hit her then, along with the light hum of machines in the background. And just like that, it all came rushing back.

The ceremony. Her name. Her mother. The camera. The fall.

Aria’s expression twisted. "You signed me up?" Her voice cracked, then hardened. "You actually signed me up for the selection?"

Quinn flinched. "Honey, listen, I can explain—"

"Explain what exactly?" Aria snapped. "That you sold your daughter’s life for some quick cash?" freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"Cash we needed to take care of this family," Jack shot back.

Both Aria and Quinn turned to glare at him, but it was her mother who spoke first.

"You shut it right there, Jack. Don’t interrupt my time with my daughter."

The way Jack’s eyes flashed, he clearly didn’t like being spoken to like that. And if Aria wasn’t feeling so furious and betrayed, she might have actually applauded her mother for once.

Quinn sucked in a breath. "The shop wasn’t doing well, and we needed money to—"

"So you decided selling me to the government was better than finding another option?" Aria cut in. "Whatever happened to taking out a bank loan or working a part time job? Or how about dumping Jack, since all he does is waste your money?"

Quinn winced, her face flushing. "It’s not exactly selling you—"

Jack’s face was thunderous. "How dare you disrespect me-"

"Isn’t our favorite candidate awake?" A too-sweet voice broke through the room, drawing all attention and interrupting the tense atmosphere.

Aria frowned as she turned. It was the reporter from last night. She bristled instantly.

Jack’s tone shifted at once, his anger vanishing in a flash. His tone was eager, almost respectful. "Aria just woke up."

The woman ignored him completely. She walked over to the bed with ease. "We didn’t get the chance to properly meet. My name is Hailey Ann. It’s a pleasure."

She extended her hand, but Aria didn’t take it. She just stared at Hailey’s nail extensions as though they were poison.

Hailey didn’t seem offended. If anything, her smile sharpened.

"I see why the public is so taken with you," she said smoothly. "There’s something captivating about your attitude. Though I imagine that bump on your forehead might be less appealing."

Aria stiffened.

"What—"

She reached up, fingers brushing her forehead, only to wince in pain.

"How big is it?" she muttered.

"Big enough," Hailey replied casually. Then, as if discussing the weather, she added, "I take it she’s ready to go."

Aria looked up. "Go where?"

Her gaze flicked to her mother.

Quinn hesitated, then gestured helplessly. "She just woke up. We haven’t told her yet."

"Tell me what exactly?" Aria asked, an unsettling feeling twisting in her stomach.

Hailey blinked at her, then let out a short, incredulous laugh. "Were you not paying attention? All selected candidates are to be transported to the capital immediately. And we’re already behind schedule thanks to the little stunt you pulled."

Aria would have known that if she had been listening in class, but she hadn’t since she didn’t think it was any of her business. How was she supposed to know her parents would sign her up behind her back?

"I wasn’t aware of that," she said, her voice sharpening. "And I didn’t consent to any of this. This can’t be legal!"

"Aware or not, Aria Aspen, your name has already been selected," Hailey said coldly. "Unless, of course, your parents are willing to pay the penalty fee five times the participation amount they received on your behalf."

Protests broke out instantly. Jack swore the loudest.

He turned on Aria with a glare. "Fuck it. You’re going whether you like it or not, you ungrateful brat."

"Ungrateful?" Aria laughed in disbelief. "You sold me and took the money behind my back. How exactly does that make me ungrateful, you selfish prick? If you want money that badly, sell your own organs instead!"

Jack’s expression darkened. "Watch your mouth, girl. Last I checked, you don’t need it to be eligible for the program."

"Don’t threaten my daughter!" Quinn snapped.

"Alright, that’s enough!"

Hailey’s command echoed through the room, silencing everyone instantly.

"I’ve already said we are behind schedule," she continued, her gaze sweeping over them. "So what will it be? Are you coming willingly, or are your parents paying the penalty?"

A small whimper slipped from Quinn’s throat, and it hit Aria harder than she expected. As much as she loathed the woman, she was still her mother. They couldn’t afford that kind of penalty.

Not to mention, if it came down to it, Quinn would carry the burden alone while Jack would disappear like the others before him. In the end, Davina would be the one who suffered the most.

"I’m sorry, Aria," Quinn said, her voice breaking. "Please, help your mother. Just this once."

Aria closed her eyes briefly. Then, she opened them with determination.

"Fine," she said. "I’ll go."

Relief washed over the room. Quinn sagged while Jack exhaled. Even Hailey’s expression changed just slightly.

"On two conditions," Aria added.

Hailey muttered under her breath, "You’ve got to be kidding me."

Jack scoffed. "Why can’t you just let this go for once, drama queen?"

Aria ignored him. She already knew exactly what she was doing.

Quinn looked at her hopefully. "Alright, what do you want?"

"I want to see Davina before I leave."

Hailey frowned. "Your younger sister? She’s not here. And like I said, we don’t have the time—"

"Then make the time," Aria said flatly.

Silence fell. Hailey’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, it looked like she might refuse. Then she sighed, giving in.

"Fine. What’s your second condition?"

Aria’s gaze flicked briefly to her mother, then to Jack, before settling back on Hailey.

"I want the remaining payment transferred directly to my account."

"What?!" Jack exploded.

But Aria didn’t stop.

"And I want you to make sure neither my mother nor her boyfriend has access to it," she continued calmly. "Instead, a monthly stipend should be sent to my sister, Davina. And I want it monitored to make sure it’s actually used for her. That shouldn’t be too difficult, since you knew where to find me the moment my name was announced."

She held Hailey’s gaze. "Agree to that, and you can do whatever you want with me."

For a beat, the two of them simply stared at each other. Then something shifted. For once, the reporter looked at her with a hint of respect.

"Consider it done," Hailey said, a small smirk tugging at her lips.

Jack lost it. His face was apoplectic with rage, his eyes almost bursting from their sockets. "You scheming bitch! How dare you!"