1| A Stinky Solution

I stared at my reflection in the small, frameless mirror as light from the adjacent window fell across my face. Golden eyes that shone regardless of how tired I looked stared back at me. Beautiful, flawlessly tan skin glowed under the sunlight, my pretty little nose looking cute, and pink lips turned up in a grin as my dark brown hair with golden tips fell to my neck.

'Perfect.'

My best friend, sitting on the stone-hard bed next to me, groaned as I turned to face her.

"Ash, I beg you, please don't do this!" she cried, her voice muffled behind the cloth she held to her nose. My grin did not falter even once. It only brightened when I took in her pained expression.

"So...I guess from the murderous look you're giving me, the stuff works?" I asked. She just glared at me while I carefully removed the slimy substance from my hands with a tissue so that I could pull my brown hair into a ponytail without ruining it. I had used what was essentially a potion to mask a person's scent.

The problem was, the method of masking the scent was a bit...stinky.

"Why are you even doing this?" She asked exasperatedly. I pretended to ponder.

"Because I don't want a mate, which I've only told you about a hundred times in the last four years," I replied, sarcasm dripping from my voice. She simply buried her head in my only pillow and screamed. I flinched and covered my ears at the sound.

Being a person with sensitive hearing made it especially loud. She suddenly pounced on me.

"What is so wrong about being chosen as a mate?" She yelled. I stilled, my mood darkening at the question.

"Everything," I whispered. Claire fell silent as I continued.

"Women are not objects to be sold off to the highest bidder, Claire. In our case, to the people who rank highest. Just because our society approves of this practice and the victims don't complain doesn't make it right," I said firmly.

She looked a little hurt, so I made a move to reach for her, but a bright smile formed on her face. I stopped midway and looked at her, confused.

"The reaction on their faces is going to be so worth it," she said and gave me a thumbs up.

"It's going to be epic," I agreed.

"I wonder how the Alpha would react. The future Alpha also hates you, so we already know how he's going to react, but- Oh my god! Ash! What if they get too angry and do something to you? No! What if-"

"Nothing will happen to me. You don't need to worry," I said, cutting her off and smiling at how cute she was. She had been angry at me first, became sad, got excited, and now she was panicking about what would happen. I swear this girl had more mood swings than a pregnant woman. She glared at me.

"I know what you're thinking. You're probably thinking I have more mood swings than a pregnant woman. But it's all your fault! I'm surprised I haven't died of a heart attack after witnessing all your antics! I don't even know why I put up with you..."

And there she went again.

After Claire finished her mini-rant, she went downstairs to wait for me in the parking lot so I could sit and wait for the concoction on me to dissipate. Thank heavens the website had a potion that could numb my sense of smell for half an hour.

Otherwise, I would've died from that horrible stench. Everyone steered clear of me as I walked down the stairs, giving me disgusted looks.

'Maybe I took it too far?'

Nah, these bastards deserved it for how they treated us. The parking lot was practically bare, save for a couple of bicycles. Then again, no one used vehicles for transportation these days. Who would when there was a 24/7 portal service?

Claire stood there impatiently with her arms folded and feet tapping on the cement floor. She didn't really have to worry about getting an asshole for a mate.

She had been seeing a delta for about three months, and it seemed he was serious about her. If how happy she was yesterday was any indication, he was definitely going to pick her.

Even though he was a bit slow in his actions, he was a total sweetheart, and his looks rivaled our current Alpha's son, who was an asshole. At least I didn't have to worry about being picked by him now. He hated me so much that he would've chosen me as his mate just to torment me, draining me of my sarcasm until he killed me off when satisfied.

That disgusting guy was the reason I took this measure. Maybe if I masked my scent, he would be confused and give me a moment to escape this hell hole - that was all I wanted. Claire's sound of disgust and nose pinching shook me from my thoughts about our future alpha.

I snickered at her adorable face and handed her the potion to numb her senses. She looked at the vial in confusion.

"It'll numb your sense of smell for a few minutes. Something for you so you can tolerate the smell until we get there. The stink should be gone by the time the ceremony starts, and my scent will be completely masked," I explained.

Claire looked at me blankly as realization dawned. I had to fight my smile as her face turned murderous.

"Why the hell didn't you give it to me earlier?"

"Your reactions are cute." She gaped at me in disbelief, opening and closing her mouth several times before throwing her hands up in exasperation.

"You're a freaking sadist!" She exclaimed. I gave her my best innocent face, trying to look hurt. She shook her head.

"Nope. That look isn't working when you're covered in shit." I rolled my eyes at her.

"For the hundredth time, this isn't shit! This is a hundred percent organic concoction that-"

"-Smells like shit. Yeah, we get it," she said and drank the potion I gave her. I fake-pouted and walked ahead, not liking being mocked. She caught up to me pretty quickly.