Back in the palace, behind closed doors, the Elders held a private meeting. Elder Varyn sat at the head of the table, flanked by several other members of the council. They spoke in hushed tones, their voices laden with discontent.
"We cannot allow a commoner to sit on the throne," one elder muttered. "It would be disastrous."
Elder Varyn nodded gravely. "The gods' will may favor anyone, but we must ensure that someone of noble blood prevails."
A murmur of agreement passed through the group. They had already begun discussing ways to manipulate the trials and influence the prince's decision. Prince Valdrik, one of Thereth's brothers, had offered his assistance, eager to see his youngest sibling fail.
"We have allies in the court," Varyn continued. "We must be subtle, but if a commoner shows too much promise, we'll handle it."
_____
Prince Thereth stood at his balcony, gazing out at the kingdom. The weight of expectation settled heavily on his shoulders. As the youngest son of King Zodros, he was revered and reviled in equal measure. His true blood Alpha status made him the strongest of his siblings, yet it also painted a target on his back.
Memories of his mother, Queen Nisandra, flooded his mind. She had been his guiding light, imparting lessons of compassion and strength. Her death had left a void, one that haunted him. The court's political machinations were unforgiving, and he felt the pressure mounting from all sides.
People were preparing for the grand Selection ceremony, an event that would bring together the kingdom's noblest Omegas—and a few commoners, as tradition demanded.
Behind him, the door creaked open. Thereth's sharp senses alerted him to the presence before the figure even stepped onto the balcony. It was Princess Calissa, his older sister. Unlike Thereth, Calissa had never shown much interest in tradition or the gods. Her ambitions were tied to the court, where she had learned to navigate the web of political alliances and rivalries with cunning and grace.
"Staring down at your future kingdom again?" Calissa asked, her voice smooth yet laced with bitterness.
Thereth remained silent for a moment, his gaze still fixed on the horizon. "I'm preparing for the Selection."
Calissa scoffed, walking up beside him. She was draped in an elegant gown of deep crimson, her dark hair swept back into a series of intricate braids. Her sharp features reflected her mother, one of the king's lesser queens, though her eyes—cold and calculating—were all her own.
"You think the Selection will go according to plan?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "The elders have other ideas, you know."
Thereth finally turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "I'm aware."
Calissa smirked. "Good. At least you're not entirely blind to the realities of the court."
The two siblings stood in silence for a moment. Despite their differences, there was an unspoken bond between them, a shared understanding of what it meant to be born into the Zodros dynasty. Yet, beneath that bond, there was also tension—a reminder that Thereth had been chosen over Calissa and their older brothers.
"Do you know what they say about you in the council chambers?" Calissa continued, her tone softening slightly, though her words remained sharp. "That you're untested. Unworthy of the crown."
Thereth rolls his eyes, totally unbothered about something he's heard countless of times. "They can say what they like. The gods made their choice."
"The gods made their choice," Calissa repeated, mocking the reverence in his voice. "And yet, not all gods favor the same prince. You should be careful, Thereth. There are many who would prefer to see another on the throne."
Thereth met her gaze, his golden eyes flickering with the light of the setting sun. "Are you one of them, Calissa?"
For a brief moment, something like surprise flickered across her face, but she quickly recovered, her smirk returning. "I only want what's best for Thalevoria. Whether that's you… or one of our brothers."
Thereth's thoughts turned to his four older brothers, each born to different mothers, each vying for the crown in their own way. Each of them had tried, in their own ways, to undermine Thereth's claim to the throne since the gods' proclamation.
"I'm not afraid of them," Thereth said quietly, his voice firm. "They've tried before. They'll fail again."
Calissa's smile widened. "Oh, little brother. You may be strong, but brute force alone won't win you this war. If you want to keep the throne, you'll need to play the game. And the Selection… well, that's where it begins."
Without another word, Calissa turned and left, her footsteps echoing through the empty corridor. Thereth watched her go, his mind swirling with the implications of her words. He knew the game she spoke of, but he had no desire to play it. His path had been set by the gods, and he would follow it, regardless of the obstacles his family and the council placed in his way.
Tonight would change everything, and as much as he yearned for connection, he feared the judgment that came with it. His gaze fell upon the mirror, reflecting his sharp features and piercing blue eyes. Am I ready for this?
___
The grand hall soon filled with nobles and commoners alike, their faces a tapestry of excitement and apprehension. Thereth's heart raced as he stepped onto the dais. A hush fell over the crowd, and all eyes turned toward him, waiting with bated breath for his proclamation.
"People of Thalevoria," he began, his voice steady yet infused with a sense of purpose. "Today marks a new chapter in our history. By the will of the gods, I will choose my mate through the Selection. Omegas from all walks of life will compete, showcasing their strength, intelligence, and spirit."
Applause erupted, mixed with murmurs of dissent.
Among the gathered crowd, Princess Amardia, Thereth's younger sister, beamed with pride. "You'll be amazing, Thereth!" she called out, her voice full of unfiltered enthusiasm. Amardia was the embodiment of innocence, her unwavering faith in her brother shining through the tension in the hall.
Thereth offered her a reassuring smile, but it faded as he turned to face his older siblings. Zevrin, the eldest, leaned back in his chair, a condescending smirk plastered on his face. "What a grand display, brother. Do you really think these trials will elevate you? Most of these girls wouldn't know true royalty if it bit them."
"Maybe that's the point, Zevrin," Thereth replied, maintaining his composure. "True strength comes from the heart, not just a title."
Zevrin scoffed, shaking his head. "You've got a lot to learn about leadership, little brother."
Prince Lufus, the younger brother caught in the middle, glanced nervously between Thereth and Zevrin. "Do you really think this is wise, Thereth?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. "What if you end up choosing someone unsuitable?"
"I'll choose who I feel is right, Lufus," Thereth responded, a note of determination creeping into his tone. The tension crackled in the air, palpable and thick. Thereth felt the weight of his brothers' expectations pressing down on him.
The Selection would bring forth 50 Omegas, each with their own unique stories and aspirations. Among them was Elira, a girl from a modest background. Growing up in a village that struggled to make ends meet, she had faced countless challenges, but she was not defined by them. Instead, she saw the Selection as a way to rewrite his story .
Elira stood in the crowd, her heart pounding as she took in the grandeur of the palace. Clad in a simple yet elegant gown, she felt a sense of determination surge within her. I won't be just another name in the list of contenders. She scanned the room, noting the noblewomen who surrounded her, adorned in luxurious fabrics and sparkling jewels.
Yet, as they whispered among themselves, she stood tall. "I'm here to change my story," she murmured under her breath, her emerald eyes glinting with resolve. Elira wasn't interested in fitting in; she wanted to stand out.
___
The banquet in honor of the Selection was a grand affair, filled with laughter, music, and an array of delectable dishes. The hall glowed with candlelight, casting flickering shadows against the ornate walls. Thereth moved through the crowd, engaging with nobles while trying to steal glances at the Omegas.
Elira found herself in a group of other candidates, their conversation animated. "Can you believe we're actually here?" one girl exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "This is our chance!"
Elira nodded, but her thoughts were elsewhere. I'm not here for a fairy tale. I want to create a future for my family, to prove that we can rise above our circumstances.
As she spoke, her voice rose above the chatter. "We can't forget who we are, no matter how grand this palace feels. Our strength comes from our experiences, not our titles," she asserted, her tone defiant.
The other Omegas looked at her, some in surprise, others with admiration. Thereth, who had been listening nearby, felt a flicker of intrigue.
As the evening wore on, Thereth felt the undercurrents of tension swirling around him. The elders whispered among themselves, their eyes fixed on him, plotting in the shadows. He sensed their desire to undermine his choice, their belief that he was making a mistake.
"What are they saying?" Thereth asked his sister Amardia, who had joined him.
"They think this will end in disaster," she replied softly, her brow furrowed with concern. "They want you to marry a princess, not play games with these Omegas."
"Zevrin approached, overhearing their conversation. "Good luck finding someone who can handle you, brother," he taunted, crossing his arms. "You'll be tested more than you know."
"I welcome the challenge," Thereth shot back, the resolve in his voice unmistakable.
As the banquet continued, the dynamics among his siblings became increasingly palpable. Lufus stood nearby, anxiety evident in his posture. "Just be careful, Thereth. Not everyone here has your best interests at heart."
"I know," Thereth replied, his expression softening. "But I can't let fear dictate my choices."
___
As the evening deepened, Thereth remained on the balcony, the cool night air brushing against his skin. He could hear the faint sounds of laughter and clinking glasses from the banquet below, but his mind was elsewhere, reflecting on the complexities of the Selection and the pressure it brought.
Meanwhile Inside, Elira stood at the edge of the banquet hall, observing the scene with keen eyes. The nobles mingled effortlessly, their laughter ringing through the air like music. But amidst the opulence, she felt a sense of isolation. She had come here to prove herself, not just to the prince, but to the world that had often overlooked her.
Just then, Thereth stepped back inside the hall, and their eyes met across the crowded room. Elira felt her heart race as he approached her, curiosity evident in his expression.