12: Ada's POV

Before I knew it, weeks had passed with me at Oberon Castle. Drama continued to unfold, and the hatred from Lady Elizabeth Jane — the Alpha Princes’ cousin— was unlike any hatred I had ever known. While I wasn’t sure *exactly* what was going on there, rumors did abound. I tried to not pay too much attention to them and to only deal with the facts being presented to me. Honestly, I had too much to catch up on that I’d missed while on the Farm.

Some of my downtimes had been spent selecting what Gwyn referred to as my ‘master wardrobe’ so that I would fit in with the rest of the Court. This included meeting with a modiste and selecting everything from fit to material to stitching. It had taken a lot of effort to complete this, and required me to access parts of my own knowledge base that I’d forgotten even existed. Gwyn has used this time to distract me from the ball that never happened ‘in my honor.’ Rumors flew surrounding that situation as well, each one more mean than the last.

The only formal response I’d gotten was a letter from the King detailing that I would need to return to proper health and experience my blood-letting (a rather old-fashioned terminology) prior to being recognized as the Surrogate and being taken to bed. It was a rather crass communication, and did nothing to help me feel at ease about the situation. But, I did my part. I exercised and ate and went to every doctor appointment required of me.

I’d spent a few meals with the Alpha Princes, and had attended some events in their parlor. But never alone. No, Lady Elizabeth was always right there, leading the conversation and diverting attention. Most of the time, I opted to avoid the judgment and hatred entirely and would take my meals alone in the dining hall. Otherwise, most of my time was spent in my own quarters in solitude or with Gwyn. The King *had* insisted I take some courses on etiquette and start to train ‘as a lady,’ and those lessons were also being completed in my quarters. I’d never gotten a full tour of the castle, and had only been escorted to the Royal Library once. I’d stopped asking to go to the Gardens or anywhere else as I was informed an escort would be required everywhere I go.

After the first week of being nearly entirely alone, I’d begun to look forward to the times that Darius and Phoenix would sneak by to talk. The conversations were always brief and incredibly casual, but it was a nice respite from the monotony that had otherwise overtaken my life. Nik never stopped by, but based on what Darius had told me about his brother, I wasn’t surprised.

*Darius.*

Just thinking about him gave me chills. He was so kind, with an easy-going handsome smile He’d been the one to confirm that there would be a competition for my virginity, turning rumor into reality. Perhaps it was his frankness that made me want to root for him, or maybe it was how my inner wolf, who had been locked away for so long, seemed to come to life in his presence. As innocent as my own thoughts remained about the Alpha Princes, *hers* were absolutely feral and filthy. And seeing as she had some control over my subconscious…

I’d spent countless nights envisioning — hell, *feeling*— one or more of the three Alpha Princes buried deep inside me. They’s be sliding in and out of my wet core, my hips rising to meet their strokes. Lips would press against my skin, trailing over my entire body and sending licks of fire to my lower belly. Sometimes, it was the same person that was buried within me placing the kisses. Other time… it was a second or third brother ravaging my body simultaneously.

I was in the middle of a particularly satisfying dream, nearing climax, when Gwyn shook me awake. My eyelids fluttered open in an attempt to blink the sleep away, “Yes, Gwyn?”

“Today is the day,” she tossed back my covers, “The other maids are here to dress you.”

They moved quickly, not bothering to wait for me to get myself out of the bed. Hands groped and prodded my body roughly, yanking off sleepwear and pulling on undergarments. I raised my arms as they brought the bodice of the gown toward me. I had specially selected everything about this dress for this specific event.

The material was a dark navy velvet bodice paired with a layered tulle skirt. Silver moons and stars were hand-stitched into the bodice and skirt. The sleeves tied over the shoulders into thin, droopy bows. I donned a pair of silver stilettos, admiring the amount of grace I’d gained in etiquette class. An unknown maid worked on my hair while Gwyn worked on my face. This had become a normal routine for me. I’d requested that all mirrors be removed from my quarters, and the Lady’s maids had just sort of picked up the rest of the pieces.

Gwyn took a step back and gave a final nod of approval as the large hoopskirt *swished* as I moved, “You’re really not going to tell me who you want to win?”

I managed a soft smile while my cheeks flamed, “No. Walk me to the stables?”

I’d been instructed to report their by Viktor, the Royal Butler, a few days prior. Gwyn grabbed my hand and led me through many hallways, silent. Finally, we reached an archway covered in creeping ivy. It led straight out onto a red brike pathway surrounded by tall hedges on either side. At the end of the walkway was the Alpha King.

My mouth went dry. I hadn’t seen him after that first day, and I didn’t need to now to know how he felt about me. The perpetual chill in the castle was enough of an indication. As was the way I’d seen Lady Elizabeth cling to the Alpha Princes as if she owned them. Clearly, I’d been the one Selected, but I was far from the one wanted. I wrestled with the part of me that was to run up to the Kind and tell him that if he didn’t want me, that was just fine. I’d leave.

But that part of me couldn’t win.

I wouldn’t survive the consequent exile. That one fact made me lift my lead foot and start down the path toward the Great Alpha King Everett Ashford. As I grew closer, I realized he was talking softly. It wasn’t until I’d cleared the hedges that I saw the stables behind the King. To his right were the three Alpha Princes.

Phoenix, clad in spruce colored leathers and a white tunic, noticed me first. He stood straighter, extending a hand, “Miss Lennox,” he placed a gentle kiss on the back of my hand, “It it was honor that I fight for your womanhood today.”

I blinked, glancing briefly at the King. He gave a curt nod and I spoke gently, “I look forward to seeing you fight, Alpha Prince.”

Darius stepped forward, taking my hand from Phoenix’s gingerly. A stoic expression masqued his usually friendly features, “Miss Lennox,” the same kiss was placed firmly on my skin, “It is with integrity that I compete for your *honor* today.”

The mischievous gleam in his eye couldn’t be mistaken. I fought back a laugh as my heart thudded rapidly. My eyes scoured his are chest and navy leathers. Perhaps navy had been too obvious a choice for my gown. After a flickering moment of fear, I smirked and withdrew my hand, “Oh, how *generous*, Alpha Prince.”

Nik shifted, black leather gleaming in the low morning light. He stared into my eyes and for some reason, it felt difficult to breathe. For a moment, when his perfect lips parted and his eyebrows furrowed, I wondered if he felt it too. The cosmic shift that seemed to happen with our close proximity. The pressure in my chest only increased when he started to reach for my hand.

When his skin connected with mine, a visible violet spark flew. He gasped, eyes widening as he whispered, “Ada,” and looked back up at me. I felt someone shift behind me. His eyes flickered to them, then back to me. He rolled his shoulders back, voice flat, “*Miss Lennox,*” Nik stressed verbally, but dropped to his knees before me and bowed his head, “It is with gratitude that I take this opportunity to offer my undying loyalty to you, regardless of the outcome of the outcome of this spectacle.”

My eyes flickered between Nik and his two shell-shocked brothers as I tried desperately to process what he’d just said to me. Cool fingers wrapped around my biceps and wrenched me back from Nik’s grasp, “Enough. You will do no such thing, Nikolai,” the King snapped, shouting, “Let the competition begin!”