Free Web NovelChapter 83: The Announcement
SAMANTHA
The grand hall was packed.
Women stood in rows, dozens of them. Some I recognized. Most I did not. New faces. Fresh arrivals. Women who had been brought in after Leslie’s banishment. They were younger, prettier and more desperate.
I still chose to stand amongst them even though it was clearly said to me that even though I didn’t want to participate in the Luna Hunt games, it was optional.
I stood near the back. My hands were clasped in front of me. My knees were shaking and my heart was pounding. I didn’t want them to single me out and talk about how my blood claimed Darlington’s beast or worse, ask me to perform any kind of sexual action on any prince.
I hated attention normally. I just wanted to go hide somewhere. freёweɓnovel.com
The princes sat on their thrones at the front of the room. Jayce looked bored. His chin rested on his hand. His eyes were half-closed. Finnian looked calm and traumatized. Poor prince. I’m sure he was still terrified from the day he turned into the object he did.
His face was blank and his eyes were fixed on the ceiling. Darlington also looked concerned. His gaze kept finding me. He would look away when I caught him.
Hmmm....sometimes I honestly wondered if Darlington’s kindness was a facade and honestly, I prepared my mind for when it would end. I know it would. Very soon.
"Is that not Samantha?"
Some girls whispered.
"She looks kind of pale. But in a good way. I heard the prince sucked her blood."
"Which prince?" One of them asked.
"Prince Finnian."
I rolled my eyes, being tired of pointless gossip.
The Cunningham sisters sat beside the princes. Serena was smiling and her eyes moved across the women like she was shopping for livestock. Kylie was quieter and her eyes moved slower. She was studying everyone. She looked like a more
King Lionel stood at the front of the room and his voice boomed.
"Welcome," he said. "All of you. You have been brought here for one purpose. To serve my sons, to bear their heirs and to strengthen our bloodline."
The room was silent.
"But there are too many of you," the king continued. "Far too many. We cannot keep all of you. So we must choose."
Women shifted nervously. Murmurs rippled through the rows.
"Over the next few days, you will compete in the Luna Games," the king said. "There will be challenges. Physical. Mental. Emotional. Those who succeed will stay. Those who fail will be sent away."
My blood turned cold.
"Sent away where?" someone whispered.
The king heard her. "Some will become rogues. Some will be sold. Some will be given to other packs." He paused. "None of you will be going home."
The murmurs grew louder.
Serena leaned forward. She whispered something to Kylie. Kylie nodded and they both laughed.
I wanted to disappear. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"Be silent!" the king commanded.
The room went quiet.
"The first challenge will be physical," the king said. "You will run an obstacle course. The top ten will move on. The rest will be eliminated."
My stomach dropped.
I was not athletic. I was not fast. I was not strong. I would fail. I would be sent away. Branded a rogue. Sold to strangers.
I felt Darlington’s eyes on me. I did not look up.
"The games begin tomorrow," the king said. "Rest tonight. Prepare yourselves. And pray to the moon goddess that you survive."
He walked away.
The women began to chatter. Some were excited. Some were terrified. Some were already planning.
I stood in place. I could not move.
Serena and Kylie walked past me. Serena’s shoulder brushed mine.
"Good luck tomorrow," Serena said. Her voice was sweet. Mocking. "You will need it."
Kylie said nothing. She just looked at me. Her eyes were unreadable.
They walked away.
I finally moved. I walked toward the exit. My feet felt heavy.
"Samantha."
I turned.
Darlington was standing behind me. His face was concerned.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I am fine."
"You do not look fine."
"I am fine."
He stepped closer. "Samantha—"
"I said I am fine." My voice was sharper than I intended. "I need to go. I need to prepare."
I walked away and refused to look back.
*******
Joanne was waiting for me. She had heard the news.
"I am sorry," she said.
"Sorry for what?"
"That you have to go through this. The games. The competition. The constant nagging and the fear."
"I will survive. Although I’m not supposed to be part of the competition. I have a feeling Molly will pop up and insist I be added. Or even Kylie."
"Will you protest?"
I looked at her. Was she crazy ? "I do not have a choice."
"The sisters are dangerous," she said. "Serena and Kylie. They are not here by accident."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean they have their own agenda. They are not just visiting. They are here for something else."
"Like what?"
"I do not know. But be careful around them."
I sat on the couch. My legs gave out.
"I am not ready for this," I said.
"Ready for what?"
"The games. The challenges. The competition. I am not a fighter. I am not a dancer. I am not a seductress. I am just... me."
Joanne walked to me. She knelt in front of me.
"Then be you," she said. "That is enough."
"It is not enough."
"It is. The princes do not want a fighter. They do not want a dancer. They do not want a seductress. They want you. The real you."
I looked at her. "How do you know?"
"Because I see the way they look at you. Jayce tries to hide it. But he cannot. Finnian tries to ignore it. But he cannot. Darlington does not even try."
"Let’s see what will happen tomorrow," I said. "I will try my best."
Joanne stood behind me. "Then make sure you are ready."
