(Amaia)
I pin the magic on Tarian. Alnilam might be my mate, but he couldn't sense the mate bond, nor could he scent me, and I have learnt from a young age never to reveal my magic in front of anyone.
Alnilam's eyes narrow slightly as he contemplates my words. His hands go behind his back while he asks with wrinkles on his forehead.
"Why did he abandon you?"
I flinch at the reminder, the betrayal, the immense pain Tarian had caused.
"He was a coward." I scoff, not wanting to give my mate more information about my ex-mate.
Alnilam quietly observes me for a few more seconds and boldly steps forward, filling my space with his scent and domineering presence.
Flawless and pure, that's the vibe he carries, but his words hurt, they burn worse than embers.
He venomously says, "Or maybe you are lying. Maybe you killed him too."
My head snaps in his direction, my magic pulses just under my skin, collecting around my fragile heart to guard me against the brutal words of my mate.
How much hate does he carry to accuse me of murdering someone?
Does he not feel any pull towards me?
"Then I hope you find the body," I defiantly answer, ignoring the agony my body experiences, the immense ache that coils inside my stomach.
His nostrils slightly flare at my answer but he keeps his composure. Turning away swiftly, he sends his cape flying. The long silvery tendrils stretch on their own and just brush against my bare arm.
A burning sensation in my thigh reminds me of my reality. I know that his hair possesses some kind of magic. He takes steps to put distance between us and pauses near the door, without turning back, he seethes out.
"Stay away from men who are not your mate. Once you are well and have been sorted into the designated guild I will announce your punishment for lying to an Enforcer."
He pauses, and emotions crash down on me. I push them away.
"I will be watching you Amaia. Any wrong moves and my punishments will be severe. Stay in line."
And then like the whirlwind of anger and resentment, he is gone, leaving me with my hurting thoughts.
Punishment? I wonder what he would have in store for me.
Physical punishments I can take, I ain't weak, I have trained all my life. But this sea of emotions I have suddenly been submerged in is breaking me apart and I am not even sure how long I can hold myself together.
Thankfully, whatever medicine Healer TJ has given me kicks in, and my eyes begin to close. Before I know it, I drift off to a painless world.
***
Two days later I am let out of the Infirmary fully healed. Larissa has kindly brought me some clothes which I put on.
"Where is my weapon?" I ask her, remembering it had been with me when I fainted.
"It's with the Enforcers. You will get it after the Choosing Ceremony." I nod at her answer and leave the Infirmary.
No pain can be detected in my shoulder but it is still bandaged. At least physical agony is gone, and now I am only left with emotional pain.
Outside the sun for the new day is announcing its arrival.
"Amaia, come. The choosing ceremony is about to begin." I see Kacir ambling towards me and I find myself smiling. As usual, his long hair covers his right eye but he wears a faint smile. Lanky as he is, he tries to keep his shoulders straight.
"Have I been selected?" I ask, curiously.
He nods. "Yes, congratulations. Both of us have been."
Finally some good news comes my way. A smile jots on my lips.
"Congratulations to you too. How are you, though?" He takes me forward in another direction.
"Alive because of you. Thank you," he says in his quiet voice. "How are you now? I heard the twins and TJ talking about you."
"It was nothing, just some old wound." I brush it off while we move towards the ground where they are going to announce the chosen ones and sort them into Guilds.
There are three Guilds at Orion Academy.
Leo
Serpens
Pegasus
All three of them are named after constellations. That's all I know. There is some rich history behind them which I will gradually unlock. But I am excited to find out which one they will put me in.
We reach a corridor constructed from grey and black stones. Crossing it we arrive in the front ground where a mass of people have gathered.
The circular ground has seats like an amphitheatre on three sides, while on a stage at the front rests several high chairs. Covered with expensive velvet which is now a rarity in our dying world.
The centre seat is comfortably occupied by what I assume is King Orion V. In his late fifties, the man doesn't appear any older than 35. He possesses shoulder length silver hair and mesmerising golden eyes.
It's known that he is a hybrid. A wizard and a werewolf hybrid, one of the strongest in our world and part of the renowned five.
The five kings who now rule the supernatural world and are responsible for every decision making regarding the supernatural kind.
As I move closer, I observe his wife, Queen Esmelda Orion. Breathtakingly beautiful with her ruby-shaded hair and violet eyes. The gemstone studded tiara rests on her head. A pleasant smile she holds while her kind eyes take all of us in.
Some other people occupy seats alongside them and one of them is Alnilam. My heart skips a beat and I look away before his sharp eyes find me.
My head turns and I observe the stands are half-filled. From their faces and attires I can assume the audience is our seniors, gathered to see who makes the cut and who can be bullied.
"Come," Kacir guides me further and we come to stand with a bunch of others. Among them, I spot the twins, my mates. Standing taller than anyone else, talking excitedly with a few other boys.
Alnitak spots me first and waves at me with a wink. A vibrant positive energy he carries which eases some of the ache my heart holds but the thought of not having him makes it worse.
Mintaka's eyes follow his brother and land on me. A smile he offers but is contained, he is not open and flirtatious like his brother. He appears reserved.
Their scents have mingled with the crowd and yet I can sense all three of them, distinctively.
My thoughts scatter when I hear Jamina's voice.
"Welcome to the 317th Choosing Ceremony of our future hunters, enforcers and decision makers. Let the holy water guide you. I present to you our 15 chosen ones."
Unenthusiastic applause follows her words as all eyes settle on us and I take a deep breath, awaiting my fate.