The Game Of Quadruplet Mates
(Bk 2) Chapter 40

The theme of the day is white

Because marriage and partnership are white.

And today, the lucky ones will get to marry the love of their lives.

While the rest of us wearing white will never get chosen and come home empty handed to disappoint our families.

Unlike all the other days of the Games, an armada of staff came rushing into my room to help me get ready. I didn't expect it. One moment I'm sitting on my bathroom floor, trying to come to terms with what happened over the past hour and the next thing I know, an army of staff wielding beautification weapons come at me.

I kindly tell them I do not need help, but they only laugh at me, starting a hot bath and depositing me into the tub like I was beef needing a good boil.

They worked quickly and effectively. I was out of the bathtub and into a bathrobe before I could even blink. I'm forced to sit down in front of my vanity as they try to make art out of my face.

I watched it all happen through the mirror of my vanity, which reflected the organized chaos that happened around me with the staff offering food into my mouth at every chance they got.

An entire banquette was almost shoved into my esophagus. "Eat. Eat, more. It is important that you eat."

"The Games aren't like they were before." They say, giving me advice in hushed tones as if it's not allowed to speak of these things. "Everyone gets a chance to stand in front, the boys and the girls, and one by one, you will all get chosen or refuse to be. It is a very long endeavor and it does not finish until late sometimes."

"It is arranged by letters so you won't be called until the very end, but you are welcome to choose the boys that come before you if you wish." They continue to tell me, explaining the new rules. "The choice requires both of you to agree on this, of course, and then the long process of the mating itself."

"There's nearly a thousand attendees this year so it will take a very long time to get to you." They looked at me almost pitifully. "We must make your makeup last long as well. You must be looking your best when it is your turn."

A thousand attendees and I couldn't even find one.

My treacherous mind thinks about my guard all of a sudden, the heat between us, his body on mine. The way he chuckled when I thought he was all the way in-

"Are you feeling alright, Miss X?" The staff asked worriedly.

"You're red all over. Even your neck and ears. Should we get a doctor? Should we alert your guard?"

"No!" I shouted a little too loudly in utter panic. "Don't get

anyone. And don't get my guard... is he out there... has he come back?"

Their eyes widened at the same time. "Not at the moment, but if you need him?"

1 looked down at myself, barely clothed and flushed all over. "No. I don't need him."

Where was he? He's never not around. If he does leave to do something, he would normally be back by now.

"Miss X,"

I blinked, staring into the eyes of one of the organizers." Yes?"

"The staff employed in the Games, the organizers... the guards." She trails off, wise and knowing. "We all have a life outside of here. And some of us will surprise you. Make sure your decisions won't have consequences and, if there are, I hope they are worth it." They knew.

To what extent? I didn't know.

But they knew.

It was clear as day.

And then, just like nothing happened, as if no words were said, they went back to work.

"Makeup done, hair done. The staff announced, breaking me from my panic as they did last minute hair tosses for volume and dusting my face with powder. They did my makeup simply with a pink blush and lips, a bit of blackBook 2: Chapter 10 eyeliner to frame my eyes and some light brown eyeshadow that sparkled in the light. My hair is down, curled a little at the ends.

"I think it's time for the

dress.

My original wedding gown, chosen by the Alpha, was ruined in the lake with rips on the skirt, so this gown was new

This dress is what the Games chose for me.

I stood from my seat and waited as the staff took the last dress out from the closet. Instantly, my heart swooped at the sight of the beautiful gown, feeling an immediate pull to it and thinking of my guard all of a sudden. Somehow, someway, I know he chose this for me.

"It's beautiful." I whispered, breathless.

"It truly is and it's the most expressive gown too." The staff gestured to the bodice where the intricate beading was."

This is no ordinary dress."

The gown is heart shaped, the bodice decked in detail before transitioning into this gorgeous skirt that is big and puffy, made completely of a beautiful chiffon fabric. It was sheer and see through but only giving a silhouette of what's inside, giving a light and airy texture. When the staff helped me into the dress, it pooled at my feet, looking like I was walking on clouds.

It was perfect, the gown felt like it was made for me.

And when they take a step back so I can look at myself in the full length mirror, my breath catches and I cannot help Book 2: Chapter 10

the smile on my lips.

Hooked like a bride

A beautiful bride that I only see in fairytales.

"You're perfect." The staff giggled, nodding in approval." Good luck, Miss X. We wish you a very bright future with whoever you choose. Make your family proud, yes?"

I was tearing up, but fought it away lest I destroy their work. "Yes. I'll do my best."

They smiled, happy for me. "It's time."

I'm helped into simple white heels before being ushered out of my room by the dozens of friendly staff that have come to help me get ready.

As the door opened, I did not expect to see him, to see my guard standing there in a black suit, a reminder of his position in the Games. I surprised myself again when I did not care for it, only happy to see him back.

He didn't look at me at first, his eyes on polished leather shoes, but when he looked up, this time, I really did stop breathing.

Without the cap, without the shadows, I saw him. All of him. I see him the way I saw him last night and I cannot imagine leaving with anyone but him.

His lips parted suddenly, staring at me with a look of such wonder, such amazement that I think I am ten times prettier than I really am just by the way he was looking at me.

But we had an audience and I think... I think he remembers our last conversation, our horrible fight and he looks down once more, avoiding further eye contact. I wanted to call him, to stop all this, but the rush of girls in white dresses and boys in white suits living in my hall and the urging of the staff, I was forced to reluctantly step away from him.

"She needs to go. She's going to be late." I heard the staff say as I hesitated to take another step further.

Wait.

Stop.

We needed to talk...

But I lose him in the cloud of white, yet I do not lose hope completely because I am sure, positively sure, that he is walking behind me. I know this more than I know anything else.

I just couldn't see him over the white fabrics coming from all directions.

Each time I try to look back, more of the white fabrics and sparkling jewels hide him from me.

And then I realized it was because he wanted to be hidden.

He was being a guard.

An invisible guard.

It was like a punch in the gut as I let the rush of attendees carry me away.

The crowd of beautifully dressed attendees excitedlyBook 2: Chapter 10

walked to the woods, following the white decorations.

There was a trail of white petals on the foor, the white garlands of woven fowers that hung from the branches of the trees creating this mystical and calming ambience to this otherwise stressful day

Candles are lit along the walkways with thick bushes of greenery contrasting the white from all over. Lights twinkled from the trees overhead, dancing among the swaying leaves.

Not too long after, we make it to the very end of the trail where the Choosing Ceremony is held. It was a clearing in the woods, big enough to fit a thousand wooden chairs. At the front, where trees twisted beautifully, was a stone platform an inch or two from the ground with an archway decorated in white flowers and green leaves.

Soft music is playing, another attempt at making everything perfect. They ve thought of everything for the long day we were about to go through. Every little detail was carefully thought out, from the thick cushions on the seats, to the staff in all black carrying water and food, non alcoholic and all easy to eat appetizers.

The seats are labeled and I found mine almost all the way in the back with the other Xs though there weren't many of us. And mostly they were boys.

Miss A walks in with a long white gown, her veil long and trailing behind her. She was so beautiful and perfect that, for a moment, everyone watched her pass by. While heading to the front, she saw me, her smile wide and her gloved hand waving. "Good luck! 'll cheer for you!" I said the words back to her, giving an enthusiastic thumbs up.

The next person I see makes my heart stall for a few seconds.

O arrives next, his suit white like everyone else and his eyes find me instantly, without even needing to try. He is handsome as always, his hair perfect and his suit made for him. His eyes betrayed his true feelings about today though, and when I stood to greet him, he shook his head.

"Later," He whispered softly, but I was still able to hear it.

Almost like it hurt him to do so, he offered me his best smile despite how it didn't quite reach his eyes.

I let him go, understanding how difficult this was for him.

The next that I see is Miss E. She's in a heavy looking dress that must have cost a fortune. It was made completely out of white Swarovski crystals, hugging her body perfectly in a way that was only possible in imaginations and dreams.

She needed two male staff members to help her down the aisle but she did see me as she walked by, her eyes widening as she fought to lift her arms up.

"You look amazing!" She yells loudly. "Now I wish I had thought of wearing something more... mobile."

"No pain, no gain." I said, smiling at her gorgeous gown."

It's beyond words."

She winks playfully and then she's off to the long row of Es.

I must have forgotten my alphabet all of a sudden because two seats away from me, in the very same row, a chair was pulled back and there sat Mister W.

He turns to face me, looking over two other Xs, and yet again, I cannot read him. The only thing I am sure of is that he likes my dress, but that's all before he stares back in front.

Maybe he was following the rule that no one should be talking about the Choosing during the Choosing?

I did not know.

Unable to help myself, I twisted around to look behind me where I knew he was. I try to slightly hide from view by peeking between someone's big hair and another's bulky shoulder. But that did not stop my guard's eyes from finding me right away, as if he was waiting on high alert to spot an intruder. My eyes went wide, ashamed that he had seen me so easily.

I could swear I could feel my heart in my ears, my face impossibly warm.

My heart feels like it's swooping, my stomach is all aflutter.

Looking at him while I was wearing a wedding gown almost felt like flying and it felt like falling as well.

Frightening and exhilarating.

Would he catch me?

Or would he let me fall?

But the real question was, would I let him?

Just when I think I know the answer, the bell rings and the Choosing Ceremony begins.