Scarlett Redd

**Scarlett's POV** Ever since I was a child, I have been told the story of the horrific beasts that once lived secretly amongst us. They were able to shift from their human forms into an exceptionally large wolf. Sometimes standing taller than a bear. Some fairytales said they needed the full moon to shift, but not these beasts. These wolves can shift willingly and were stronger during a full moon. For many years, humans did not know who was human and who was ‘more’. It was not until the Moon Goddess stopped blessing her children with mates, that the beasts exposed themselves to us. The Moon Goddess is the wolves’ deity that they prayed to and sought guidance and comfort. No one really knows what she looks like, but they can sense her presence. Centuries ago, she saw how lonely her children were. Walking around the world, afraid to find love, afraid to be discovered for what they were and then rejected. She decided to bless them with a gift, a gift of true love. She would search within their hearts and find their equal. They would know who their mate was when they turned eighteen. Things seemed to go well at first, but overtime, things went horribly wrong with the mate bond. Over one hundred years ago, their deity grew tired of watching her children abuse the gift of true love. She watched for decades as women were used, abused, and seen as a pawn. Men were tossed aside by their mate because they did not have rank or power. Something that once brought her so much joy, now only brought her heartache and anger. Things were becoming too hectic when wolves started to kill their own mates, so they could not be used against them as a weakness. So, the Moon Goddess said ‘enough’, and broke the mate bond. Wolves would not know who they were destined to be with any longer. Ever since, wolves have had to find companions on their own. Some would date, others had arranged marriages, and few stayed alone. It was not until about fifty years ago, that wolves showed themselves to the human world. At first, they were met with fear, and hate. Soon we learned to live amongst each other. A few wolves, just wanting a woman to warm their bed and breed their pups, they came across poverty villages and made a deal. A gathering would take place on the first full moon at the beginning of every fall. At the age of eighteen, every first-born daughter was to be presented to the unmated wolves. A wolf would choose a bride, and in exchange, would pay her family an agreed upon price. This gathering helped poverty villages and families survive, but almost always, the woman would never see her family again. Once they left with the beast, it was their call if she would even have contact with her family. Letters were sometimes allowed but were proofread first, to ensure there was no plan of escaping. My village participates in these gatherings. We have been a part of it since the very beginning and sadly this past spring I turned eighteen. This year, I must go to the gathering, and hope I would not be chosen. Those who were not chosen for three consecutive years could then marry and have a family of their own. Sadly, if I ever had a daughter, she would have to go through this as well. I knew, however, that that would not happen. It is rare for a wolf to leave without a bride. I looked out the window and watched as the sun started to set. It was time for the women of age to get ready, but I had already decided I would not be attending. My grandmother is the only family I have, and she is gravely ill. I cannot leave her here to die alone. She has taken care of me since before I could walk. Now she needed me. I went over to her bedside and smiled down at her sadly. The only family I have ever known, and she was diminishing before my eyes. Her green eyes opened slowly and looked up at me. Her wrinkled, frail hand reached for mine and I held onto it tight. “You must get ready, my dear.” She croaked. I quickly brought a glass of water to her lips, but she pushed it away. “You cannot miss the gathering. They have been waiting for this day since you were sixteen.” When I was sixteen, I had witnessed the gathering amongst the other villagers. I tried to stay hidden, knowing the beasts would be curious about me. One saw me, and he made it a great deal to show that he wanted me. But I was not of age, and therefore completely unavailable. Ever since then, that same man would come to the gathering and leave empty handed, his eyes only ever watching me along with a few other curious wolves. I know this year it was his plan to have me. I shook my head and smiled. “The hounds from hell could not tear me away from your side, grandmother. I will not leave you here alone. I will be by your side to your last breath, and then I will give you the traditional funeral that you wish.” My grandmother was very weak, so before she could even protest, she fell back asleep. She has been growing weak over the past two years, and our village doctor could not figure out why. I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and started to clean up around our little cabin. I looked out of the window as I heard the howls. Something inside of me wanted to go to the sound, but I fought it. As I moved around my home, I could not help but think about the other times I had witnessed the gathering with the rest of the villagers. Some women were excited and hoped to be chosen. To be taken away from this poor village by a handsome God like beast. Others were afraid. These beasts had a reputation of being aggressive, possessive, and easily angered. I heard the chiming of the town bell and knew that the gathering was starting. The beasts would either walk around the women in their wolf or human form. If he chose a woman, he would take off her cape, a cape that represented what family she was from, and he would keep it until he paid her guardian. The cape would be returned, so the next daughter could wear it at her wedding as part of tradition. That cape would then be passed down to her first daughter when she would have to participate in the gathering. As I was getting ready to wash the dishes we had used for supper, angry growls echoed in the wind and sent a chill of fear down my spine. I was hoping they would not notice, but that was so foolish of me. Of course, they noticed I was not there. Of course, HE would notice. I was deemed the rare beauty of my village. With long, thick, wavy, almost white, blonde hair, green eyes that could be compared to emeralds, and natural plump red lips. I was envied for my beauty by many girls my age, but I hated it. I hated men looking at me with lust in their eyes. They wanted to possess me, not love me. I heard a rapid knock beat against my door, and I had to hold back the sob that threatened to come out. I gathered up whatever courage I could and went to answer the door. I slowly opened the door, and there stood Mayor Henrick full of nervous sweat and fear on his face. “My dear. You must get ready and accompany me to the gathering immediately.” He wiped his forehead with the handkerchief from his pocket. “Your absence was noticed, and the beasts are angry. They have threatened to tear apart the entire village if you are not presented.” “Please.” I begged him. “I am all she has.” I gestured to my grandmother, holding back the tears. He looked passed me and saw my sick grandmother on her bed in front of the fire. A sad look crossed his face as he looked to the floor. “I am sorry. We do not have a choice. Please dress quickly and join the others in front of the gazebo in the middle of the village square.” The Mayor quickly shuffled away in the dark. I closed the door and leaned against it. I know they would choose me. One of them would take me away from my grandmother and my home. The tears brimmed my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away. I had to hurry, or they would come looking for me themselves. I went to the closet and pulled down the black box on the very top shelf. The lid was full of dust, and I blew it off. When I opened the lid, I saw the black sleek dress I had to wear, along with my family’s cape. It was bright red, with black roses embroidered across it. It was incredibly beautiful, but it represented the end of my freedom. Slipping the dress on, it hugged my curves beautifully, and reached mid-calf. I placed the black heels on my feet and then looked at my reflection in the mirror. I only had time for a bit of mascara and to let my hair hang naturally by my hips. I tied the cape and the knot landed at the hollow of my slender neck. I went to look at my grandmother one last time. “I’ll be back grandmother.” I promised. Before I walked away I heard her sweet voice call out to me. "Scarlett." I turned immediately and ran to her side, kneeling by her bed and taking her frail hands into mine. "You look so beautiful, darling. Stay strong. You are so much more than you know." Her eyes closed slowly, falling back to sleep. I stood slowly and wiped away a tear that threatened to fall down my cheek. I placed the hood on top of my head and walked out the front door. The chill night air whipped across my face and dried the fresh tears to my skin. Whoever was this heartless to tear me away from my last living relative could never earn my respect or my affections. More than likely my grandmother would not last to the end of the month, yet they were ready to rip me from her side. They really were heartless, cruel beasts. A short five-minute walk and I was able to see everyone gathered in front of the gazebo. The town is decorated the same as it always is. Light posts, street signs, and the gazebo were all adorned with twinkle lights and flowers. Candles lit a pathway where the women were standing. Everything was meticulously arranged to cast a glow over the women and make them more appealing to the men. It disgusted me. We were being shown off like cattle to be brought. What was worse, is that most of these girls I grew up with, and they were here willingly and full of excitement. I could never be excited to be paid for like a piece of meat. Who is to say the man that chooses us would not abuse us and then toss us aside? As I approached, everyone was quiet and watched my every step. The men all looked at me with that same lust and want in their eyes, and of course the girls my age looked at me like a pebble in their shoe. Probably seeing me as competition. It is not like I wanted to be here; I was being forced. I would love nothing more than to stay in my village and marry a man for love, and not because he paid for me. I saw my friend since childhood, Hannah, standing at the end and went to stand next to her. I went to reach for her hand, and she quickly snatched it away like she had been stung by a bee. My heart sank, but I kept my face composed. “As requested, this is Scarlett Redd.” Mayor Henrick announced.