A red-robed figure waits above on the first floor, leaning both palms on the balustrade, watching us file into the foyer. His gaze is a weighted stare, measuring each of us. His robe flows from hood to foot, the fabric a deep crimson. The color alone signals he resides here at the castle. The Ancient Castle’s priests are the only pack to devote their lives to the gods. They are also the only pack that doesn’t participate in the Mating Trials. They don’t mate. They exist to serve.
“Welcome to the Ancient Castle and our 100thMating Season,” The robed figure announces, voice low and reverent. “For one hundred years, we have successfully matched and curated the new season of offspring. May this year bring us fruitful unions.” He pauses, allowing his words to sink in. “We await the remaining packs. Until then, no formal events begin until tomorrow. As the first to arrive, your quarters are the farthest in the West Wing. Climb three flights; your pack is on the top floor. You may hunt in the valley, but there is no shifting or bloodshed allowed within these holy walls.”
He disappears through a side hall before we can ask questions.
Roman leans in. “You think he’s got antlers under that hood?”
“I think maybe he’s bald, even in wolf form,” I whisper back.
He stifles a laugh. Cullen hears. He and his mate, Honi, both shoot us sharp looks.
Then the rush begins.
Dozens of the pack bolt up the stairs, racing for the best rooms. Rumor has it, the stone castle can get cold and drafty, even for a wolf. So the window rooms on the left side of the hall, that catch the sun, are the most coveted.
That, and one can see all the packs arriving to get a first glimpse at the available mates.
“Ugh, more stairs.” I groan, looking up at them as the clomping of footsteps fades.
Roman shrugs beside me. Just us again, per usual. We’ve learned to keep our distance from the pack. Especially when they get into pack mode and all rush forward at once. That’s how people get trampled. Or worse. After all, that’s how mother and father were killed.
“Ember?”
I jump as Dove steps to my side. I didn’t even realize she was behind me.
“I’ve been thinking.” She gives a soft smile, before it turns into a frown. “This week is going to be really life changing for us. I want to be able to listen to my instincts to make a good decision on my trials.”
“Oh.”
“You see… Here, we are each other’s competition.”
“Competition?” Dread pools in my gut.
She nods. “There are only so many available mates,” she continues, not meeting my eyes. “I plan on getting mine. I think it’s best we go our separate ways from here.”
With those simple words, she climbs the stairs without ever looking back. I’m truly going into this process alone. Although, the joke’s on her, I didn’t plan on taking a mate.
By the time I reach the top, the hallway is nearly empty. All the rooms are claimed. Except one. The last room, tucked in the back corner, far from the windows.
It’s cold. Extra dusty. But it has two beds. Perfect.
“Wow. Those priests don’t know how to dust, do they?” Roman comments, swiping a finger across a tall bookcase.
“They probably can’t make it up all the stairs in those heavy robes,” I mumble, still out of breath.
“If they aren’t used to all the stairs by now, the gods should have blessed them to become an owl shifter instead.”
“I could use some wings of my own after those steep steps into the castle.”
“Speaking of stairs, I’m exhausted. I think I’m going to take a nap before the feast.”
“You’re supposed to be the spry wolf here.”
“I’m trying not to make you feel bad. I hear you gasping over there.” He yawns, collapsing on the bed in the corner.
“Mmhmm.” I roll my eyes.
Roman doesn’t notice, he’s already curling up, bringing his knees to his chest as if he were in wolf form. Awake he looks so much like father with his green eyes and tall stature. But when he’s sleeping, his face reminds me of our mother. Quiet and serene. I miss her. Her flowing red hair, her ever-knowing eyes. I wonder what she was like during her trials. Could this have been her room? Did she find father on her first trial? So many questions I never got to ask her.