Chapter 7

Chapter 0007

Stay?

They wanted me to stay?

I stared up at the royal family for a long moment, unsure.

I didn’t fit the standards for the selection at all. I didn’t come from a noble background. I didn’t have a wolf. I already had a child. How could I possibly participate?

But, whatever my doubts, I couldn’t deny the King’s command. If he said to stay, I had to stay.

So I stood right where I was.

As best I could, I tried to ignore Nicholas’s icy gaze as he openly stared at me. Was he trying to intimidate me into leaving? I had already tried that.

No amount of intimidation would get me to disobey a direct command from the King. I liked my head attached to my b*dy.

The King then stepped aside and his Beta, Nathan, took his place.

“I will now explain the rules,” Nathan said.

His voice was slightly softer than the King’s and not nearly so kind.

“These rules are serious, ladies. Those that cannot abide by them will be expelled from the selection. In certain instances, those who break the rules could be executed,”

The air seemed to have left the room. No one spoke, or made any noise at all. Everyone stood very still, watching and listening.

Until Elva whispered, “What’s that mean?”

I replied in a quiet voice, “It’s a punishment. When someone does something bad.”

“Like when they won’t nap at naptime?” Elva asked.

The girl closest to me said, “A permanent nap.”

Elva looked at her curiously. Behind Elva’s back, I gave the girl an annoyed look, I really didn’t want to have the death talk with my three year old right now, thank you.

Nathan Nicholay sald

Nathan, a diligent servant, immediately went to his side. I couldn’t hear what was said, but when they both looked at Elva, I couldn’t help but wonder if Nicholas had suggested Nathan ease up some on the

darker talk

Maybe I was imagining it. Maybe he was actually saying some jerk–thing because Nicholas was

apparently an arrogant bag of dicks nowadays

pretended not to notice their talk, and focused on making Elva smile instead

7 need to stress the dire consequences of breaking those rules” Nathan argued, just loud enough for

me to hear from where I stood so close to the stage

“Then do so without frightening the child.” Nicholas said

“She’ll be plenty frightened if she’s forced to witness

Nicholas’s brow lowered in annoyance. “We would never force a child to

“Nathan,” the King said, silencing them both Nathan straightened at once. Nicholas shut his mouth but still seemed displeased

“Continue,” the King said, motioning Nathan forward.

the

Nathan cleared his throat. “Serious offenses include having secret relations with someone other than

princes, covertly retaining contact with the outside world, or revealing any royal secrets on or off live broadcast.”

He waved toward the back of the room, and a slew of servants stepped forward.

“You will now be divided and searched,” Nathan continued. “Any communication devices will be seized. That includes your phones.”

This was all news to me, though none of the other girls seemed overly alarmed. I really wished I had taken the time to read through the application.

The servants divided us, as Nathan said. I followed my group into a familiar adjoining room, where each of us was searched. Not even Elva escaped scrutiny, though her gentle pat down made her giggle.

The servant in charge, clearly endeared, made a funny face at Elva, bringing forth more laughter.

The other girls in the room openly glared at us.

By the doorway, our phones were taken and catalogued.

Your personal items will be returned upon your departure,” said one of the servants.

When the groups reunited in the parlor room, Nathan reclaimed everyone’s attention. The royal family had vanished from behind him.

“I will now give you a tour,” Nathan announced.

We followed him through the elaborate palace, taking in the dining room with a table that could seat fifty, to a ballroom with a vaulted painted ceiling, then to the east wing where our individual rooms were.