Chapter 3 The Alpha's choice

The floorboards creaked outside Fidira's door as she slipped the white dress over her head. The fabric settled against her skin like cool water, surprisingly comfortable despite its ceremonial purpose. She had just finished fastening the small silver buttons at her wrists when the door swung open again.

Maxwell lounged against the doorframe, his tall frame blocking most of the light from the hallway. At nineteen, her stepbrother had grown into his father's build broad shouldered and imposing. His mouth twisted into a familiar smirk as his eyes raked over her transformed appearance.

"Better you than me, freak," Maxwell laughed, the sound echoing in the cramped attic space. There was relief in his voice, raw and undisguised. "I was worried I'd have to convince Mother to do something drastic if Father hadn't agreed to the switch."

Fidira met his gaze steadily, her different-colored eyes unblinking. "Were you afraid, Maxwell? What happens to those who are taken?"

His cocky demeanor faltered momentarily. "I'm not afraid of anything," he snapped, too quickly. "Besides, the men usually return after a month of service. It's only the girls who never come back."

"And that makes it better?" Fidira asked quietly, smoothing the dress over her hips. "That only the daughters of this town disappear forever?"

Maxwell shrugged, recovering his composure. "It's a tradition. The way it's always been."

"Convenient traditions," Fidira murmured, turning to the cracked mirror propped against the wall, "for those who benefit from them."

She studied her reflection in the splintered glass-white hair falling in waves to her waist, the pristine dress emphasizing her slender frame, and her eyes, one blood-red and one emerald green, staring back with a calm she didn't entirely feel. She looked like someone else, someone important. Someone worthy.

Maxwell pushed himself away from the doorframe and took a step into the room. For a moment, something like regret flickered across his face. "Look, I didn't " he began, then stopped himself. The brief vulnerability vanished, replaced by his usual contempt. "Just be grateful you're finally serving a purpose. Father wasted years feeding and housing you for nothing."

"And now he trades me for his son's safety," Fidira finished, turning from the mirror to face him. "Tell me, brother, will you sleep well tonight knowing where I've gone?"

A flash of discomfort crossed Maxwell's features before anger replaced it. "You were never my sister," he hissed. "Just a burden my mother and I were forced to tolerate."

"And yet here you are," Fidira observed, "making sure I know exactly how pleased you are with my fate. One might almost think you needed my forgiveness."

Maxwell's face darkened with fury. He took a threatening step forward, fists clenched at his sides. "You little"

"Maxwell!" Madison's voice boomed from downstairs. "Bring her down. It's time."

Her stepbrother froze, then backed toward the door. "Enjoy your new life among monsters," he said, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "They say the alpha, Rvan Giovanni, tears the difficult ones apart personally. I hope you give him a reason."

With those parting words, Maxwell disappeared into the hallway, leaving the door open behind him-a final reminder that there was nowhere left for Fidira to hide.

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and centered herself. When she opened them again, her reflection showed not fear but determination. Whatever awaited her beyond this night, she would face it with dignity the dignity her so-called family had never afforded her