The Pack's square was filled with maidens... beautiful, colorful, and energetic... All waited patiently for the arrival of the Prince.
Some of the maidens carried themselves in pride like peacocks with their ever-colorful dresses. The number of corals around one's wrist and neck signifies your family's wealth and status.
Those dressed less glamorously are the less privileged who hold onto a little glimmer of hope of being chosen so their statuses would be elevated.
With a condescending look, the wealthy peacocks look down on them as they believe the prince won't be so blind to choose those peasants.
Everywhere was filled with hustle and bustle. Even the married women, men, and children weren't left out of the maiden festivities.
Amidst this happiness, some young men's hearts were filled with sadness. They stare angrily at the array of well-dressed girls who were waiting patiently for the Prince.
"What's so special about the prince? Why are all the girls drooling over him? It's not that he is even more handsome than I am. We are also handsome and brave warriors but they never chase after us", one of the young men complained bitterly.
"Zachi, please talk about yourself. I have so many of them drooling over me", another counter him.
"Of course, they would drool over the almighty Dan but tell me, how many of them are willing to marry you?", Zachi threw back.
"Well.... that's because... because...", Dani stammered.
"Because of what?", Zachi questioned.
"That's because I don't want to get married!"Dani yelled out in exasperation.
"Dan... Zachi, please stop okay? We are here for a joyful occasion. Let's just pray the prince doesn't choose any of the girls we are interested in", an older of the three admonished.
"Hmmph!", Dani spat out before leaving.
"What's wrong with him?"
"Don't mind him, Karl", Dani replied.
There was an uproar as an entourage of dignified Elders and the Great Seer made their way into the packed square behind Alpha Demetri. Immediately after there were the members of the royal families followed by the princesses. They were all dressed for the occasion.
The princes' entourage made up of warriors and palace guards followed one after the other. At the end, were the two Princes, who were gaily dressed for the ceremony.
Prince Ares sat on the right-hand side of the King while Prince Jason sat on the left side. Prince Ares was dressed in a flowing flowered cloth tied around the waist. His bare chest was filled with different paintings of creatures artistically embedded and his prince's crown was filled with different bird feathers spread around.
Those feathers signify the number of battles he had been victorious in since he became the Kali of the pack. The Kali was like the head of warriors. A long eagle feather was stuck up on the crown signifying his strength amongst the other wolves.
It means he has never been defeated in a wrestling competition. He was looking radiant and charming but his face was void of happiness.
Prince Jason also has the exact number of feathers but lacks the eagle feather. In place of the eagle feather, there was a special bird feather, it is called the Burhinus but the pack members view it as the bird of the gods.
It was captured by Prince Jason on one of his journeys to the other world. His father gifted him the bird's feather as a sign of honor.
"My son, is something bothering you?"Alpha Demetri asked Prince Ares.
"No, father. I just woke up on the wrong side", he drawled without looking at the Father.
Alpha Demetri shook his head as he observed his son. He knows he doesn't want to get married but doing it for the sake of the throne.
One of his sons was over-ambitious and the other was just not interested in worldly things. Though they each had their merits but to hold the kingdom together would fall in the hands of whom the pure gods have chosen.
According to the priest of the Pure gods, the chosen one of the gods must defeat the Great mistress of the Spirit and bring back the eye of the goddess. They believe the eye of the goddess can bring eternal peace to the Pack.
The princes never knew that was the criteria for inheriting the throne. Whom out of the two princes would embark on this journey? Alpha Demetri pondered silently.
"Your Royal Majesty, it's time to announce the start of the ceremony", a guard whispered to the Alpha.
Prince Jason stole a glance at Elder Gomez who nodded at him with a knowing smile.
"Farewell, my brother. The throne can only be mine"Prince Jason snickered.
There were about 20 different groups of maidens. In the first stage, two maidens were chosen to advance to the next stage after a terrific display of dance. After the selection, a total of 10 maidens remained.
They would be paired into five groups for the second stage, from the five groups one of the best swordsmen would be brought forward representing the five finalists. The Prince would choose his bride from amongst the five finalists.
The maidens were so fierce in their sword competition that the organizers took a lot of time to determine the winner. Each maiden was highly gifted in sword-fighting.
There are three stages in the Maiden dance. The first stage was all about dancing. The second stage was sword-fighting and the last stage was when the finalist was picked to serve the wine to the Prince.
Looking cold and unapproachable, Prince Ares gazed forlornly into the crowd. A pair of blue molten lava eyes flashed into his sight. He almost jumped out of his seat if not for his warrior who held him down stylishly.
"My Prince, what's wrong?", Frieda asked.
"Did any of the maidens possess a pair of blue eyes?", He asked.
"Blue eyes?",Frieda asked in shock. How could the Prince see Princess Hel? She looked around the square but saw no one.
She turned to the Prince",My prince, there's no maiden with such eyes. Even if there is, she won't be allowed to mingle with people"
"Why won't she be allowed?"
"My Prince, there are some laws the pack members follow to live a peaceful and happy life", Frieda explained.
"That's a random excuse to punish the Innocent. Frieda, go and check if there's anyone like that"
"My Prince, we are already at the final stage of the Maiden dance. It's time for you to choose your wife. I will thoroughly investigate after the ceremony"
"Are you going against me now?", Prince Ares glared at her.
"No, my Prince. I will go right away", Frieda left with a worried look.
Frieda looked around worriedly to see if the princess did come to the ceremony. If she did come, there will be trouble, especially from the Alpha and Elder Gomez, that demon. He would surely recognize her. She mustn't expose herself to them yet.
As Frieda was looking around, she heard the organizer asking for the Prince to make a decision. She immediately ran back to the square.
Prince Ares stood up from his seat and scanned the remaining five finalists. His eyes fell on a beautiful black girl who was looking straight at him in the eyes.
Something about that girl doesn't seem right. Her body had an aura that doesn't belong to wolves or humans. He had traveled both the human and spiritual realms. He could feel the demonic aura emanating from her.
"You come here", he pointed at the girl.
Everyone present was overjoyed as they thought the prince had chosen his mate. The young maiden went towards the gourd of wine to serve a cup to the prince according to the customs.
The Prince was just looking at her still confused about her aura when he saw her approaching the Royal gourd. it came to him that he had been misunderstood.
He tried explaining but no one listened as the square was suddenly engulfed in a jubilant uproar. Everyone was so happy that the prince finally chose his mate.
They were so joyous that they didn't understand what happened next. The only thing they saw was Prince Ares rushing towards Prince Jason in a flash.
But before he could get there, a force pushed him off. He knew something was off. He could never mistake a demon aura.
There was a scream as a beautiful girl slumped in front of him. Who was she?