Sebastian resumes his place at the front. "Should you decide to abstain from selection, or should you not find a mate today, you must have demonstrated that you have something else to offer that will benefit the pack, skills or experience that goes above and beyond the norm. Freeloaders cannot—will not—be tolerated. Understood?"
"Understood," the assembled shifters repeat, and I do as well, but I'm quaking with fear. Sebastian's damning words ring in my mind, and nothing I can do is enough to keep them out.
Freeloaders will not be tolerated.
I cast a glance back at my parents, who are clutching each other's hands like their lives depend on it. They're terrified too, and they have every reason to be. Next to them, Claire watches, her lips pressed into a flat line. My heart is pounding fast, and I can't focus on anything but the noise of it in my ear.
"Jason Conrad," Sebastian says, bringing my attention back to him as he addresses the first male in the line, "step forward."
Jason, a tall, lanky male with a friendly disposition, takes a step forward, his expression one of stoic commitment. His eyes immediately lock with those of a petite blonde girl, Helen.
"Who do you choose as your mate?" Sebastian asks. "Helen Callister," Jason replies without hesitation.
"So it shall be," Sebastian says. "Consider yourselves mated in the eyes of the pack, our ancestors, and each other. You may rejoin your fellow pack members."
Helen and Jason join hands, embracing tightly for a moment before retreating from the group to stand amongst their excited relatives.
"It continues," Sebastian says once everyone has settled down. "Colton DeWitt, step forward…"
I watch in breathless anticipation as one by one, each of the males is called up, and one by one, each of them chooses a mate from among the girls. Nobody gives me so much as a second glance, and I can feel myself growing more tense by the second. At last, just as the anxiety is growing unbearable, there are only four of us left: two males and two girls. I'm standing next to Anastasia Avery, a statuesque girl who could probably be a supermodel if she wanted. Across from us are the dark-eyed Sam Mears and the muscular Christopher Baldwin. They're both good-looking, and I suppose I could see settling with any of them. It's not like I have much of a choice at this point. Whatever it takes to not end up the only one left. As long as neither of them opts out of the ritual, I should be okay.
"Sam Mears," Sebastian says, "step forward."
My heart jumps to my throat as Sam shuffles out of line, not looking at me. "Who do you choose as your mate?" Sebastian asks.
There's a long moment of silence as we all await his decision, but there's a look of conflict on his face that I don't like. It almost makes me worry he's about to—
But I don't have time to finish the thought. "Actually, Alpha," Sam says, turning to Sebastian, "I abstain from the mating ritual."
A stir goes through the crowd, and my heart sinks. If Sam backs out, then it will be me and Anastasia when it's Christopher's turn, and it's not hard to guess which one of us he'll pick when push comes to shove.
"Are you sure about this?" Sebastian asks, his eyes darting briefly to me. Pity. Pure pity shines in his eyes.
"Yes," Sam replies without hesitation. "I'm training under the pack healer, Jonas, to assume his place when he steps down. I would…" He glances at me apologetically. "I would ask to focus on my training so that I can better serve the pack when the time comes."
You bastard! I want to yell, most likely while shaking his shoulders. You know this is my last shot! But that would break ceremonial etiquette, and as much of a loudmouth as I can be, even I know better than to make that kind of mistake.
"Is this true, Jonas?" Sebastian asks, turning to the healer.
"It is," Jonas speaks up from his place in the crowd. "I can vouch for him, sir. He's a brilliant apprentice, and he'll do right by the pack."
"Very well, then," Sebastian replies. "I'll allow it. You may rejoin your fellow pack members, Sam."
"Thank you, Sebastian," Sam says, bowing in deference as he retreats. "I won't let you down."
My shoulders slump, tears stinging at my eyes. He would rather abstain completely than pick me as a mate. If that doesn't speak to my place in this pack, then I don't know what does. The worst part is, I can't even fault him in the end. I wouldn't have picked me, either. I don't have the supermodel looks like the other females, I'm too curvy, too strange… so unlike all of them.
The others are now murmuring excitedly to one another, and my mom has put her hands over her mouth. They know what this means, and it all spells trouble for me.
Somber, Sebastian turns to Christopher, the last remaining male in the line. "Christopher Baldwin," he says, "step forward."
I can barely breathe as Christopher complies, and I'm keenly aware of Anastasia's presence next to me.
"Who do you take as your mate?" Sebastian asks, his wolf eyes gleaming.
Christopher doesn't even need to think about it. "I choose Anastasia Avery," he says, and I can almost hear Anastasia's relieved sigh. A sense of unreality comes over me as I watch her join hands with Christopher, my one chance at finding a mate disappearing in the blink of an eye.
They retreat into the audience, leaving me alone in the middle of the Village Square with Sebastian staring me down. I can tell they're all watching me, waiting for a reaction, but I'm utterly numb, my ears ringing and my cheeks burning. I won't let a single tear fall in front of them. I can't. I have to be strong.
"If there are no objections," Sebastian says in a stoic tone, "then this concludes this year's Mating Day. I wish all of you the best in your new pairs and know that your commitment to shifter kind will not be forgotten."
"So shall it be," the crowd echoes, but I can't make myself say the words. I can't even bring myself to look at my family; I already know what they're thinking.
I'm a wolf shifter who can't shift, and I don't have a mate. Wha
tever problems I had before, they're about to get a lot bigger.