Two

In occasion, a lady is permitted to speak but only to those with the same title. As such, the soft tone of voice in which they are permitted to use is a decibel lower than what can be heard by others. This will be coined as the 'Consort's Voice.'

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They say women were born competitive.

Some might suggest that men are more prone to competing than women but deep down, we all know the truth. Men have their guns and arms to solve a fight, they have violent means to figure out the winner. Women have a different way to settle things. Done are the days where we only battle physical attributes, of who is prettier, of who is softer.

Now, women fight for things like prestige, power, and dominance.

I understood there was a time many years ago where women often shied away from competition because what would they get from it? Attention from men? Will that feed anyone?

Now, in our time, there are so much more benefits we can get from being the best out of everything. Consorts are treated as if we have are direct descendants of those with a pure Alpha bloodline, we have a lot to gain if we stand as the best. Our payoff now is different from what women had before. Everything we ever dreamed of we can achieve by simply being the best.

I wasn't the best. I tried to be. I wanted to be.

No, she was the best.

Her. Eleanor.

She's Elli Contee's sister. She's a native of Sem, and another crowd favorite. It's not because she's a prodigy. It's because every other day she's allowed to go outside the royal academe to help her mother with chores within the palace. That's why the commoners in this square probably know her and support her. They actually like her. Her mother is the head house-maid inside the palace.

Eleanor, Elli and Silas are childhood friends. Of course she'd be the best fit for a Luna. They already know each other, a title is the only thing that's missing to make it all official.

And what makes me angry is that she doesn't even try to be great she just is. Isn't it annoying? That there are people who don't have to try to gain anyone's attention, to gain respect? That there really are people out there with gifts that they didn't even have to practice for? They were just simply blessed with it. That was Eleanor.

"Eleanor."

Silas was full out staring at Eleanor now. He wasn't even trying to hide his smile. I can't turn around and see how Eleanor is reacting since I'm not allowed to move but I know she's probably giggling and blushing. I know from their stare, they shared a silent conversation.

It wasn't a mind link, they're not mates. Mind link can only happen to bonded mates, contrary to popular belief that it can be done by just anyone. And to do a mind link, your wolf must accept the bond, even without your approval, if your wolf feels a true mate's calling that would be it.

I grit my teeth, looking down. Eleanor is beautiful as she is smart. Dangerous.

She had thick curly hair, but since she chose to straighten it, it reached just below the middle of her back. She had a slim neck that would brand a mating bite perfectly. Her ebony skin looking sun-kissed, like she was gold crafted straight out of the sun. Whenever she walked a scent of roses and vanilla would follow. The only thing that almost sets her aside from the rest of us is a mole that's placed just below her right eye, and yet it adds more to her charm and allure. And what I hate the most is she's not even worth hating. Eleanor's the kindest of all of us. She's kind even to me.

I bite the inside of my cheeks to keep myself from throwing up. I want to go home.

Eleanor always had everything. I try to have everything. It's just the way it is.

"These 6 consorts recommended to me by the Professors from the academe will come with me and shall reside at the palace," Silas announced, tucking the rose colored paper back into the envelope and handing the whole thing over to one of his guards. "One of them will be your Luna and the rest will automatically be staffed at the academe after the Luna's Coronation or wherever I want them to be. I would be thankful if you treat all 6 of them with respect and adoration."

Murmurs of approval followed soon after.

Of course everyone will be kind to consorts. It's law. They have to be. It doesn't mean they want to though. I can imagine the pure hatred some commoners have directed towards us. I can just imagine how they will rip us to shreds once the guards are gone and there are no more laws binding them to behave. Commoners are ravages. They're never content with what they're given.

It was idiotic to even make them part of this coronation.

"Let the festivities begin!"

Silas didn't even get to finish the whole sentence. The food prepared was immediately grabbed and toppled over by the commoners. Watching them eat is enough to make you sick. They don't even chew the food. I don't think they even spare chicken bones. With their teeth, I'm sure they can turn it into powder.

As the commoners start with grabbing and inhaling the food, Silas and the chosen 6 consorts were ushered way back at the square by Elli. Carriages came into view and it seems like they'll be leaving earlier than planned. I could see Eleanor stalling -eyes searching for someone in the crowd.

What was she looking for?

Her eyes meet mine and freeze. I could tell she was shocked someone was watching her. Quick as lightning her eyes form into those soft ones I was so used to, she smiled and waved as she entered the carriage. Then they leave, the rest of us stuck here to witness the mess.

"Look at them, disgusting ravages,"

"Makes you think what they actually eat when there's no parties, huh?"

The guards don't even hide their disgust. Their voices loud enough for everyone to hear. I don't think the commoners even care. Some of the guards even refer to them as ravages as some sort of slur but they don't care. I doubt they even understand it.

It didn't even take a few minutes before the fights started.

It started from pushing, then pulling, next thing you know, everyone's on top of one another, clawing, gnawing, and fully intent of killing. All because of food. Which is ridiculous since the palace always gives them rations. They always want more than they can chew.

I couldn't even stop the growl bubbling from my throat.

I wasn't allowed to make a sound, but from the ruckus, no one heard me.

"Alright, alright, that's enough!" One of the bigger guards stepped forward and shifted into a huge brown wolf, his fangs out on display as he growled at the commoners - stopping the fight immediately. The other palace guards pointed their spears at the commoners and made them form a circle in the middle of the square. Ironic.

It's a blessing that only a few werewolves are given a chance to shift.

Otherwise I would be staring at more dead bodies.

"One, two...That's seven casualties."

"Better than last coronation, I heard there were ten."

The bodies lying on the ground had things in common, most were frail and young. Only two of the bodies were elderly, they must have fallen down and the other commoners must have mistaken them as a soft squishy floor. Some of the kids even had their eyes open, skulls crack wide, food partially chewed on their open mouths. Their parents must be part of the circle, but they were probably food drunk to notice they lost a family member.

Sometimes you get so used to death you can't help but just stare at how ugly it really is.

I hear a soft sob from inside the circle but I didn't have enough time to find the source.

Our Professors gently push us from behind, I didn't even see them approach , and guide us towards our carriages. I guess show time was over. It's always like this, we get to see the fights, but never the punishments. I didn't even get to the chance to know whether the sob was from one of the parents.

It probably was. It must have been tears of joy.

They had one less mouth to feed.

Back at the academe I couldn't stop glaring at my reflection on the polished silverware. We had just finished eating our perfectly rationed meal, and taken our supplements and suppressants, it was now time for cleaning up. My task today was to polish each piece of silverware until I could see my face. I don't normally look at myself but during times like these, I can't help but be thankful I was born with this face. It made it easier for me to be picked as a Royal Consort. If only beauty alone could assure that I get the Luna title.

"I heard you," my ears twitch at the whisper. It was a decibel lower than what can be heard, we call this the Consort's Voice, only consorts and Professors of the academe can hear it. One of the other consorts approached me, I believe her name was Bliss. "You were growling, that wasn't allowed."

I grab a fork and continued my polishing.

"So?"

"So? You could get in trouble. Eleanor's gone, what if, what if they punish you again?"

Memories of large mirrors and strobing lights flash inside my mind. I stop it before I show my fear externally. Women are vicious, they feed on terror. "Are you done watering the plants?"

She sat next to me, as if we were friends. "Yeah, Lady Vita said I keep an eye on you."

I snort, one of the unladylike things I can never find in me to stop doing. Albeit involuntarily, I could still be reprimanded if the Professors saw. Must be why they didn't recommend me.

I'm angry again. "Of course she did."

"This is serious. Eleanor's gone and-"

I snap, throwing the fork loudly at the table. "-And I can survive without her. We all can."

She didn't believe me. I don't think I even believe myself.

"You don't understand. She's gone. A royal guard stopped by the gates after we ate, he was speaking to Lady Vita, they were talking, and she was talking, not whispering. That's why I heard them. The guard said they were taken to their rooms, and once they were being called for dinner, she didn't show. Obviously they tried to search for her, but it's as if she disappeared. Her necklace on the bed, dismantled."

Bliss was whispering in a Consort's voice way too fast, probably so no one could hear. No one could see that we were gossiping. It's not allowed, at least for us, no decent lady would pay attention to gossip. "What?"

Like I said, if only beauty alone would guarantee me a crown. I would have won. I'm no saint, I bend rules sometimes. I'm no fool to think people with prestige follow the rules religiously. Besides, the rules is all about disciplining the commoners, and some consorts. Without the rules, they would roam freely and deaths like the one at the square would happen again.

"She just vanished."

"Do you know what this means?"

"She's going to be in trouble once she's found."

Wrong. I don't say it though. Bliss cares more about what the punishment would be than if Eleanor's alive and well. I know nothing bad happened to her, no one would dare hurt a consort.  They need us way too much.

"It means a spot is open." I stand up quickly not waiting for her to reply. If she heard what the guards and Lady Vita talked about, then most of the others who had chores outside would have heard too. They would have been waiting by the administration office as well. Making their own pitches.

They don't have what I have though. Perseverance.

And the administration office is just a few feet away from the kitchen.

I was outside the door in a few minutes. I would have been here in seconds if we were allowed to run, I had to brisk walk, I probably looked idiotic. Doesn't matter, my future is just behind this door. Luckily, I'm the first one here.

Taking a deep breath, I raise my hand and knocked. At least that's what I would have done. But the door opened, with my right arm half raised, ready to knock. It was Lady Vita.

"I knew you would come here."

She's talking, still. Not using her Consort's voice. Professors here at the academe were once like us, women of the highest breed. They're the ones not chosen by Professors before them, now they teach us on how to become better. As to not face the same fate as them. Bound to the profession, cannot shift to their wolves, and cannot bear a child.

A woman that's cursed to just be a woman.

We can only speak when asked.

She simply stated. Therefore I cannot speak. I'm not allowed.

Lady Vita stared at me, long enough that I could feel sweat dripping at my back. My breathing must have been faster, but I'm better at hiding it than the other consorts. The best I can do is show her no fear. Confidence can bring me places. She must have found what she was looking for because she sighed and stepped aside, giving me way to enter. I nodded and did just that.

"Bliss told you?"

"Yes."

She was quiet for a few minutes. "What a waste, that Eleanor. Goddess bless her."

Lady Vita sighed again, her forehead wrinkling, making her look older than she is. She pinched the bridge of her nose and adjusted her glasses. I couldn't quite get used to seeing her like this. Lady Vita used to be a beauty, a picture from when she was just a Royal Consort is framed perfectly and hanged on the wall. She had beautiful blonde hair, porcelain skin, and baby blue eyes. She was very beautiful. Yet she was still not picked.

Now as a Professor, since she's no longer a consort, her long hair has been shaved, her eyes framed behind non-prescription glasses. Her curves hidden behind a loose white blouse and a knee length blue skirt. The only thing that reminds us that she was once a consort is her detector.

"You're seventh on the list by the way."

I clench my fist unconsciously. I was so close. So close to being perfect. So close to being enough. Yet, I failed. Lady Vita's eyes linger on my clenched fists. If she notices that I'm angry she doesn't make anything of it. Not that she ever will, consorts can only be angry, we can never act out.

"Obviously she's unable to fulfill her duties as one of the chosen consorts, since you are next in line, you will take her place. You're bound as a Royal Consort to accept this role as it is your duty to the nation. However for the sake of formalities, do you accept?"

She knew my answer even before she finished her question. "Yes."

"Very well. Pack your bags, Amara."