Their Claim - Claimed by the Lycans

Busted

Anthenet POV

The dong rings and the festival before the choosing ceremony begins.

Lively music fills the atmosphere and dancers in a colorful array of pastel colors whirl through the crowd of people that have come to witness the event. Everyone claps and cheers as they sing along to the melody.

I slip away from the joyful throng, navigating through the sea of people like a skillful sailor until I spot the open buffet, the only good thing about being here.

"I figured I'd find you here, stuffing your face."

My head snaps around to meet Jason, my brother. "Guilty." Comes my muffle response, causing me to nearly choke on the cupcake I had shoved whole into my mouth. I guess that's why mom always advises me not to talk with food in my mouth.

"Wait.." He frowns, going silent for a moment as his eyes rake me up and down. "You're wearing white."

I glance down at myself with wide eyes of shock. "Really? Is that what this color is?"

Jason rolls his eyes, and I can't help the little snicker that bubbles from my throat at the way his brows crinkle whenever he's in no mood to put up with my shenanigans "I know you don't understand how serious this is because you play too much."

I decide to humor him a little, becoming serious like he'd want me to, even going as far as to add an edge of panic to my tone. "What do you mean this is serious?"

"If they see you in white, they'll take you to the lineup, and God knows what they'll do to you when they choose you."

Jason was never a big advocate for the choosing, and like any siblings, we have our moments, but the genuine fear of me being taken becomes evident on his face as he speaks.

"But you already know they'll never take me. They only take the best... unless" I pause for dramatic effect, arching a brow in amusement. "Unless you think I AM the best." I nudge his shoulder with mine, a smug look breaking through my facade.

But it only sets Jason off more, which was entirely expected. "See, you play too much... I hope they pick you up and take you far far away."

He turns to walk away, but I quickly grab his hand, causing him to turn back towards me as I wear a sad pout on my face. "You don't really mean that, do you JJ?"

He sighs, running his free hand over his face. "Look, just go and change."

"Try telling mom that."

"What do you mean, has mom forgotten you won't be 18, not until another two months?"

"Oh no, she knows, but I must reflect the amount of money that she spent."

"But why white?"

"Oh, that one was the postman's fault, but I do look pretty in it, don't I?" I give him a little twirl with a mini jig showing off the dress.

"I mean if you were going for clown then, nailed it. Nice touch with the icing all over your mouth." He gives a victory smirk then walks off, as I scramble to grab a napkin.

I make very little contact with anyone else as the day progresses except for a few elderly people who walk up to me to congratulate me, and stick around to make small chit-chat before moving on.

After a while, I finally decide to move from the table, of course not before packing a plate and relocating somewhere in the shadows of one of the stalls lining the outskirts of the inner field.

Suddenly, collective squeals break out from everywhere and the dong rings again. A ram's horn is blown and then an announcement is made. They are here.

I don't know how many have come, and I can hardly tell as the caravan becomes blocked by the crowd, but it's not like I'm interested to find out either way.

I finish clearing my plate before walking over to the bin to discard it.

"Anthenet, come over here." Mom beckons with enthusiasm, unable to contain her excitement. "They are here."

Maybe now is not a good time for a sarcastic response, even though everything inside me itches to comment on the fact that the announcement was so loud it was probably heard by the residents of the cemetery too.

Instead, I use tack, opting to use the oldest trick in the book which under certain circumstances can remain undetected. I go, stand by her side for about five minutes, and then... "I'm coming back."

"Ok, but be quick."

I nod which is all the assurance she needs before I take my leave. Simple.

A couple of people try to make conversation with me as I discretely try to maneuver back to my little hideout, including Ms. Daisy, a recent widow who's always been a kind old soul.

I flash her a genuine smile, complementing her attire which buoys her spirit before she walks away with a renewed pep in her step.

Finally, I find peace again as I settle back into the shadows, but unfortunately, it isn't long before the sun bursts from behind the clouds, bathing the earth and my body in its radiance and essentially blowing my cover.

I could stick around to find a new hideout especially since I'll rather not have any more attention drawn to my white dress... or I could use the distracted crowd to my advantage and make my way home. Honestly, I think I've collected enough information about today that if anyone should ask I can say enough to convince them I was there for everything.

The thought grows more tempting by the second and finally, I bite the bait, stealing quick glances around me before making my grand escape.

I'm careful not to attract attention as my strides get longer the further I get away from the crowded arena.

And when my eyes eventually give the all-clear signal, I release the biggest exhale.

"And just where do you think you are going?" A gravel voice calls out to me, halting me dead in my tracks.

No no no no. This can't be happening, I was sure that the coast was clear.

I slowly turn around to face the one that busted me and immediately my breath hitches in my throat, however, I quickly recompose myself as I give my sweetest, most innocent smile in effort to appease the anger on the face of this deviously handsome beast. "I'm going to the bathroom."

Believable, right?

Hopefully, he buys it, I mean, why wouldn't he?

Now, I wait with bated breath to see how this all plays out.