THE BEAST'S SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

A shrill scream filled the silent night. It was nothing to Waylen at this point. The forest was filled with thousands of screams almost every second. At every minute, there was a fallen hero. The grasses were wet and not from the rains. The blood of the fallen coated every inch of the ground.

Waylen jumped over a body as he ran. He had no care for his life again. The singular thought in his head was to get to his wife. He left her behind when he heard the enemy was in the village, he dropped all and went for his wife. She was his world and he could not continue living if something happened to her.

The village looked even worse than the forest. Bodies were scattered everywhere. The houses were burning and the little children who had been spared were crying. He should stop and console them. Get them to safety. Assure them that everything was going to be alright but he just couldn't.

He saw his home come into sight and he pushed himself further. He ignored the burn in his ribs as he stopped at the front door. The doors were open but no sound came from within.

"Salma... my love where are you" there was no response from her. At this point, he wished he was one of the beasts. Her scent would have led him to her but unfortunately, he was human and he had to keep searching until he was able to find her.

His bedroom was the first place he checked. It was empty. He ran down the corridor and checked his children's room. They were all empty.

Where could she be? He was panicking at this point. Praying silently that the beasts didn't take her.

He heard a soft cry and followed it. The sight he met in the kitchen will forever haunt him. His wife lay lifeless, a giant hole in her stomach. Their four-year-old daughter sitting and staring in the distance. The word mama fell continuously from her lips.

"Salma" his voice broke. He fell to his knees taking her bloody hands in his. He was too late. His wife was gone. The tears fell freely from his eyes. He was supposed to protect her and take care of her.

Their little girl was unmoving. Her head kept replaying the images of her mother's death. She was hidden behind the cupboard and could do nothing but stare as her mother was murdered.

It was only after the men were gone that she crawled out of her hiding place and sat beside her mother.

After sitting beside her corpse for a long hour, he grabbed his daughter and kept her locked in a room. He went for his sword immediately after. The beasts will feel his wrath. He stormed out of the house. Tearing through any beast on his part. He had a single goal. Kill Gael. The leader of the beasts.

He came upon their dwelling and stopped at the sight he met. The proud warrior beast held his dead mate in his arms. His cries were loud, heart-wracking sobs that shook his mighty frame. Something moved in Waylen's heart, his sword dropping from his hands making a loud clatter on the ground. Gael's eyes raised at the sound and met his.

The beast only stared at him. He had no desire to fight anymore.

"We've been so foolish," he said with a humorless chuckle.

"We've killed for nothing. Look at us now"

Waylen said nothing and just looked at the man. A few beasts came into the area. They paid no attention to Waylen. Either they didn't see him or their entire focus was on their leader who held his dead mate.

"I won't fight anymore. It's either we end this war today or you kill me now"

"I don't want to fight anymore," Waylen said and the beasts shifted their attention to him.

He had lost the most important person in his life because of the war. A lot of his people were gone too. The war won't bring about any change. Just stagnation and more deaths. It was time to put an end to it.

With that, Waylen turned his back on the beasts and walked away from their land.

The survivors in the village looked to him for direction.

"The war has come to an end. Let us bury our own and rebuild our village" the announcement was met with a lot of cheers.

And so the rebuilding began. The dead were buried and slowly, the villagers began to move on.

In the fourth month after the end of the war, Gael visited the small village. The humans watched him in surprise as he walked through the village and to their leader's house.

Waylen was even more surprised to see the man in his office. He reached for his small knife under the table but Gael stopped him.

"There is no need for that. I come in peace" he lifted his hands in surrender and Waylen relaxed.

"Why are you here?"

"I want us to draw up a treaty. Since our war has ended and we silently agreed to live in peace, I think it's only right that we have a treaty that protects our people"

Waylen nodded in agreement. "My people will no longer hurt your people and your people will not hurt mine"

"Agreed. You...."

"Papa?" A small voice called from the doorway interrupting Gael. He turned to look at the small girl with wide blue eyes. The little girl's eyes traveled from her father to the strange man.

"Lucretia. I told you to stay in your room" her father scolded lightly.

"I had a bad dream," she said in a small voice.

"Go back to your room" he snapped at the little girl. She turned away but not before Gael saw the tears in her eyes.

The treaty was finalized and Gael returned to his land.

For six generations, the treaty remained in place. The two species lived together in harmony until the reigning human leader, Carwyn murdered the mate of the reigning beast.

The beast went on a rampage, killing everyone and everything in his path.

Tue treaty was destroyed and the beasts began to terrorize the humans. The humans now lived in fear of the beasts.

Pushed by his advisors, Carwyn tries to make amends. In a letter addressed to the beasts, he stated that;

'The human village will provide a female for the reigning beast'

The beasts accept their offer.

And so it began. The choosing of females. A family will be selected to provide for the female and when the girl comes of age, she would be sent to the Beasts as a mate.

The villagers were against this development but nothing could change it. The girls who refused to go were dragged forcefully by the human guards to the borders where the beasts would pick them up.

The girls taken were never seen again and the rumors started. It was whispered that the beasts killed the girls and disposed of the bodies.

Each family dreaded the choice. For they were scared to lose their daughters and even more scared of the consequences that would follow if they failed to provide a mate for the beast.

The rest of the night was gloomy. The morning was even worse. So far, our family has never been selected but what if we were unlucky today.

Nevaeh was quiet. Mama chewed on her fingers. It was a nervous habit. Papa was his normal self but I could tell he was worried. Coulter on the other hand was indifferent. I know he cared about us but right now he wasn't thinking about it.

I took my shower quickly and wore a yellow dress. The hand straps were thin. The sun was already shining brightly.

I was the last to join them in the living room. It was a bad habit I had. Coming late. Papa scolded me often but today he didn't spare me a glance.

We started our trek to the town hall. Mama walked beside Papa and they talked in hushed tones. Coulter walked far ahead while Nevaeh and I walked together. The hall was full and our family took the vacant space by the window.

Our leader Silas and his beautiful wife Harriet were not here yet. They had three daughters. They were below the age of twenty so they would not be chosen.

Nevaeh and I just turned twenty-one and so our chances of being picked were very high.

I looked around and took in the gloomy faces of the others who has daughters as old as us. The other whose daughters had not come of age had a lighter mood and whispered.

The nature of humans. They were not concerned as long as they would not be chosen. They typically cared for only themselves.

"Do you think it'll be our family?" Nevaeh asked in a small voice. I didn't know how to reply to the question. I didn't like to sugarcoat things. And honestly, we had a very high chance.

One, the loud family had two daughters that were of age. Secondly, our family has never been selected. I didn't want to lie and tell her we won't be chosen when we very well could be.

"I don't know Nevaeh" this was the most honest answer I could give her. She heaved a sigh and looked away. I wished I could make her smile but she was going to be like this until we left the hall without being chosen.

After two long hours, Silas decided to make an appearance with his family. I could see the solemn look on their face. It saddened him to send the girl but an agreement was an agreement. We've never heard the full story just snippets but from what I know, one of our past leaders agreed with them to stop the beasts from killing us.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Silas said once he climbed the podium. A true gentleman. He was never late and always made apologies for his mistake.

A few grumbles from the people but the hall went silent. At that moment, I saw Edel enter the hall. His hair was ruffled and the sunlight caught the golden strands making him stand out.

His eyes traveled around the room and rested on mine. I gave him a wide smile and waved before he took his seat. He waved back and Silas cleared his throat.

I realized a lot of eyes were on me and I blushed. Edel had made some noise when he entered and eyes were on him so when he waved at me, they looked in my direction.

"Let us proceed," Silas said and all attention went back to him.

"All the parents, to the left. The men at the center and the girls to the right" there was shuffling of feet and noise as we rearranged ourselves. Nevaeh and I moved to the right with the other girls.

"Now. The girls below twenty move to the left and let those that are of age remain on the right" there were loud footsteps and the younger girls moved. When I looked back, I paled. The girls of age at the gathering were significantly smaller than the previous year. Some people had moved to other cities. And since they were gone, they couldn't be part of the choosing.

I knew a lot of people who were ripe for the choice but their parents had removed them. Probably when they heard there'll be a choice soon.

"I'm scared" Nevaeh whispered. This time, I didn't say a word. I was scared too.

Silas's eyes moved from one face to another while his assistant stood beside him.

"As usual, five families will be called, and we'll keep eliminating until we get to the last family. So once you hear your last name, please stand"

"Hinsen. Pegany. Stawarski. Beischel." The girls were already standing. Everyone remained silent as we waited for the last name. His eyes landed on mine and I quickly looked away.

Don't call us. Don't call us.

"Dolivo" Time froze. I couldn't believe it. He called our name.

"Dolivo. Please stand" I was standing while trying to process the information. Nevaeh also stood up. I felt her eyes on me but I couldn't look at her. I won't be able to handle her watery eyes.

"Pegany and Stawarski you may seat" audible signs of relief could be heard across the room. I shuffled on my feet and said a prayer under my breath.

"Beischel. Take your seat"

I was nervous now. My family had never gotten to this stage ever. From mother's stories, our family name has never been called.

My heart thumped wildly in my chest and I was sure it was the same for Nevaeh. One look at her and I could see her shaking.

Please don't let us be chosen. I prayed. I'll be more obedient and respectful. I'll take my responsibilities seriously but please let us seat.

I didn't care that I sounded selfish at this moment. I'll be happy if they picked her over us and there was no denying it.

Silas and his advisor were in a corner talking in hushed tones. Their eyes moved over us every few minutes. I shrugged off the dreadful feeling that was threatening to consume me.

Silas and his advisor finished their discussion and we waited for them to address us.

"It hurts me to do this. It hurts all of us but it is necessary because it's the only way we can be safe"

He took a deep breath.

"The choosing is not malicious or personal. To the family that gets chosen, you have a week to prepare your daughter. Say your last goodbyes and when the men come to take her, do not struggle with them. Simply hand her over to the guards"

The hall was tense as everyone waited for his final decision. And he just remained silent. At one point I wanted to scream at him.

"Hinsley." He called their name and hesitated. He had a solemn look on his face and I was convinced that family had been chosen. I visibly relaxed and waited for him to complete it.

"You may take your seat" my head jerked up. His eyes were on the Hinsley girl. Was he? Was he telling her to take her seat?

I looked at him and his eyes caught mine.

"Dolivo. Your family has been chosen"

The house was silent. I thought the morning was bad, it was even worse. My mother silently cooked in the kitchen, father locked himself in the bedroom and Coulter was nowhere to be seen.

I opened Nevaeh's bedroom door. She wiped her eyes quickly.

"Nevaeh? Are you crying?"

"Of course not"

"That's a lie. There's tears in your eyes"

"I said it's nothing" she snapped. I plopped in her bed but she remained seated with her back facing me.

"You don't want to join me?" I asked and she sighed and lay down with me.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you"

"I'm not offended"

"Still. I shouldn't have. It's not like it's your fault"

"What do you think is going to happen" I asked her instead.

"We are the only daughters papa has"

"But I think something can be done. Maybe we can speak to the alpha and make him change his mind about it, maybe he can choose another family"

She scoffed. "It doesn't work like that Paisley"

"But if..."

"Stop it Paisley" she said angrily and sat up again.

"Do you think the other families want to send their daughters too. You think any of them will be willing to exchange places with us"

"We'll never know if we don't try" I tried to reason but it only made her angrier.

"Nothing can change our fate now. It's better if you wake up from your silly dreams and face the reality. This isn't the same as making Rosa sell the stupid shop. This is something bigger than any of us" she was breathing harshly when she finished talking and I felt hurt.

Tears were welling in my eyes. Nevaeh had never spoken to me like that. Not even when we had our little quarrels that never lasted. I quickly stood up from her bed while hiding my face so she wouldn't see my tears.

"Paisley I..." but I was hearing none of it. I closed her door and rushed to my room locking the door behind me. It was then I let the tears fall.

Why was she so upset with me. I was only trying to lighten the mood and make things better. Why did she have to snap at me. It wasn't like it was my fault we got chosen.

I wiped my eyes angrily. I shouldn't be crying. She was the one who got me upset my losing her temper and yelling at me. I wasn't going to speak to her until she apologized for her blow up.

I didn't leave my room until dinner. I spent the time. Arranging my room over and over again until I was tired. It was something I did whenever I was upset. It helped to calm me down.

I slumped on my bed when my muscles felt weak and I was out like a light shortly after.

A knock on the door woke me up from sleep.

"Paisley, dinner will be ready in thirty minutes" my mum called from the other side of the door. I dragged myself from my bed and to the bathroom to take a shower after which I changed into leggings and a sweater. I felt a bit cold after my shower.

My phone rang on my bed and I picked it. Edel's name flashed on the screen. I quickly swiped and picked the call.

"Heyyy" I said excitedly.

"Babe. I've been calling" he complained as soon as I greeted.

"Ohhh. I was asleep. I didn't hear it"

"So will I see you tomorrow?"

"Probably. Nevaeh and I were supposed to set up her new shop today but with the announcement, we didn't do it. She may need my help tomorrow but I promise to see you immediately after"

He grunted. "Okay. Has your family said anything about the choosing?"

"No. Maybe after dinner. I'll give you the details tomorrow"

"Okay love"

"Goodbye. I love you" I said but he already hung up. I frowned and tossed the phone on my bed.

I stepped out of my room and saw Nevaeh standing at her door. I wanted to smile at her but I remembered she upset me so I looked away and made my way to the table. Mama had already set the table and they had taken their various places. I gave papa a kiss on the cheek and gave mama too before taking my place. Nevaeh did the same and sat next to me.

I expected her to whisper her apology so all could be forgotten but she ignored me and focused on her meal. Well If that was what she wanted.

I ate my meal in silence like the rest of the family and after the meal was done and the dishes cleared and washed, papa called us all into the living room.

"You all were present for the choosing today and you know what happened but I don't know if you understand the gravity of this situation" he said in his serious voice.

Mama cleared her throat. "One of you will have to go to the beasts" my eyes widened.

"What? You can't possibly send any of us away" I said horrified.

"There is nothing we can do about it sweetie. It's beyond our control" she said in a small voice.

"So what are you going to do? Send your daughters away?"

"Not daughters. Only one of you will have to go" my father said.

"No. That is impossible. Nobody is going to separate Nevaeh and I" I shouted.

"Enough Paisley" papa said in a rough voice and even though I wanted to shout at him, I remained silent.

"Your mother and I, we have made our decision"

"Nevaeh. You'll be going"

"No" Nevaeh screamed at papa. I turned to her to see her already crying.

"I'm not going papa" she said through sobs.

"Papa. You can't send Nevaeh away"

"Then will you rather watch all of us die?"

I didn't believe the beasts would kill us all because one woman refused to go to him.

"Don't cry Nevaeh. Everything will be okay" I consoled her but she scoffed.

I moved closer to her. "There has to be away around this. I'll find one even...."

"Just shut up Paisley. You don't seem to get it. You see nothing past the stupid ideas in your head. For once just shut up and try to reason"

"Nevaeh don't talk to your sister like that" mama scolded.

"Why shouldn't I? Because she's your favorite?" She asked with a sneer. Nevaeh had never spoken to anyone like this.

"We don't have a favorite and you know it"

"Then why didn't you pick her? You have two daughters who look exactly alike. You claim you have no favorites and yet you pick me to die instead of her?"

"Paisley has a fiancé. She is about to get married"

"But she's not married yet is she? She can still go. Why does it have to be me"

"Nevaeh..."

"I hate you all so much. Especially you" she glared at me before storming off.

I couldn't hold the tears in. Coulter wrapped his arms around me while mama ran after Nevaeh.

"She hates me" I sobbed into his chest. I could take anything but that. Did she really mean what she said? Did she really hate me?

I was stubborn, hard headed and could hold the longest grudges but when it came to her, I was a completely different person.

"She doesn't. She's just upset. She'll come around"

I doubted that. This wasn't like the other times Nevaeh and I fought. This was different and something told me she wouldn't be coming around anytime soon.