Her Body Belongs to the Alpha

"We can't do this! It's not appropriate," I complain nervously. My friend Ari lights the last candle that sits on a flat Rock tauntingly. It's pitch black. Midnight. And yes, I snuck out. The woods are one of the only private places and despite it being a lengthy walk from the Village, Ari was sure no one would find us here. "No one will see Luca. I promise. It's just us," he says with a hopeful face and an outstretched hand. "I don't even know how," I say hesitating to take it. "Let me lead. It'll be fun, I promise." Taking one last glance around the woods to make sure nobody is watching, I rest my hand in Ari's larger and much more calloused one. Receiving a victorious smile, my friend adjusts our hands accordingly and begins to step in a pattern like motion. So, this is dancing. It sends a thrill through me, but my fear is still present. "This is so illegal," I remind Ari as if he’s somehow forgotten. He spins me slowly as if he didn't hear my comment. "Does it feel illegal?" ...No, but it is. Dancing, much like dating is reserved only for those of royal status. Commoners are forbidden to take part in such a high-class practice for ‘alpha’ families. Madam Graginsky comes to mind when I think of the word dancing. She went for it in the town square one day, right in front of everyone. I remember she lasted a whole minute before a mediator showed up and dragged her away. We live in fear of them. The mediators. They make sure everyone follows the law, like it or not. They transported her to the castle for judgment and came back with two broken legs. She can hardly walk now. No one dares follow her example. With strict parents like mine, I wouldn't even be able to think such thoughts without being riddled with suspicion. As for dating, this is why Ari and I remain just friends. I can't say for sure that we would be dating if we could, but it's just not in our culture. Dating was part of the old ways. The royals can do it because getting a competent king or queen is important, but not for those of us who live in the village. We have the claiming. Parents have no say, so it can't be called an arranged marriage, but there are still very specific rules to be followed. Men, at the age of eighteen go into the guard. It's mandatory they serve one year before choosing their claimed. If they take longer to choose, they can move up in the ranks, but most pick a woman right away and stake their claim as soon as possible. If two men stake a claim on the same woman, there will be a reckoning. It's a battle between the two men, either until death or until a surrender. They are extremely rare because the stakes are so high. The looser has to spend an extra year in the guard. That's not worth it to most. Ari has to leave for the guard in a few weeks, so he wanted to dance with me tonight. I can't help but feel uneasy, though. I try to relax, I really do. I just feel so guilty. Amidst my distraction, I accidentally step on Ari's foot. With a clumsy step back, I apologize profusely. "It's fine Luca. At least I got you dancing," he teases. I smile lightly and continue to step in tune with him. "I bet they outlawed it because people kept breaking toes," I joke. Ari's doesn't have the intended reaction. His face turns to a scowl and he steps a little bit faster. "No. It's because the royals are selfi-" "Oh my God! Hank!" I rip myself away from Ari and stare up into the woods with guilt. Scanning the dark place, I see it's just as bad as I thought. "They we're dancing!" I hear my mom whisper yell to my fuming father. We are so busted.