Barely Breathing

The Mate Hunt is being held annually and participated by different packs all over the world. This event is as old as time, back to the ancient days of werewolves finding a mate. Before, the monarchy holds a royal ball each year, where everyone can socialize first before the actual mate hunt. However, this has changed after the war. The council, who replaced the monarchy’s rulings has altered it into a more primitive way.

What happens is every female werewolf will be blindfolded and lined up as per status in their pack. Then the male werewolves will pass each female to find their chosen and try to familiarize her scent, to find her easily on the second part of the mate hunt.

A chosen mate varies in a man’s preference and the pull their wolf feels is significant in choosing. Alphas are more selective though, for their wolf seeks more than the physical attributes of a woman, but of strength and bloodline. The pull their wolf feels is usually stronger than ordinary male werewolves.

After the initial part, the females will then be released into the forest to seek shelter while waiting for a male to claim them. After half an hour, the males will be released to find their chosen.

Once a werewolf finds his chosen, he will have to mark her to ward off other males. The mark will bind the two and give them an unbreakable bond. The unbreakable bond is a gift from the moon goddess and will grow stronger as time passes by.

But there is one problem. The trick is one or more males might find the attraction to one female. That’s where the werewolves submit into their primitive nature - a fight.

There is only one rule: The stronger gets the girl.

***

Females were all gathered in the hall in Moon Valley packhouse. The house was huge, the hall itself was wide and has a height of a two-story ceiling. We were all at least a hundred females here lined up by status. I, being a warrior stood in the middle, after the alpha, beta, and gamma’s daughters. Ehren, being the beta’s daughter stood proudly in the front chatting with another blonde. They seemed to know each other well.

of an ideal mate. Others were nervous, fidgeting and smiling timidly as others spoke. I, on the other hand, kept silent.

say alpha Xyrus is here to look for his chosen.” I heard someone said, my ears perked up at

went last year.” Someone

once more this year.” I turned slightly and in my peripheral vision saw

“You have to hear

“About what Isla?”

the circle of three and started giggling and whispering about Xyrus. I rolled my eyes

could be like them, carefree and hopeful. I am not like most girls. My mind is a haywire mess. It’s scary to live inside my mind and hear the thoughts going on nonstop.

back to their place upon their arrival like students rushing to their seats when the teacher comes. The lady wearing eyeglasses stood at the center of a small made-up stage. The other two stood behind her. They were

to congratulate each of you for participating in this event. May the moon goddess bless you all with a loving and caring

a minute, the males will be here to take their first look at you. So, please put on your blindfold. Remember, the males are the ones choosing you. This has been the practice since the primeval time. You have to trust

I saw the other girls already putting on their blindfolds and tying the knot at the back of

at the mercy of these males. But I will fight with all my might, even if I have

suffocates me more than anything else. And, having

entered the hall. The men were here. I felt nervous for some reason. The hall was so silent, no one talked, and I think we