He kept walking, no destination in mind. As he got close to the room the council was in, the scent of vanilla hit him. Had they provided food to the applicants? That was overly kind of them. But why something so sweet smelling? Surely a meat based dish would be more appropriate. He slipped up to the room, standing in a doorway that had a curtain instead of a door. The council members were speaking in hushed tones to each other. A pretty young girl stood next to a man, both waiting patiently. There was no food in sight.

Isaac stood still next to his father as the council discussed quietly. Part of him hoped they hadn't liked him so he didn't have to do this. 

The smell of pine slowly started hitting him. He couldn't tell where it was coming from or why it wasn't there before. Unless...

Was his mate in the Alpha's mansion? 

He tried to think of a way to alert his father of the possibility. Surely if his actual mate was near, he wouldn't have to do this. They could go home and live a plain life. That was enough for him. But before he could do anything, the council walked over.

"Your daughter is lovely and very obedient. I think she has a high chance of being in the final choice. Five girls will be chosen to meet the Alpha and the Luna. They will decide from there. A messenger will be by tomorrow if you're chosen."

Julius bowed and Isaac curtsied. The smell of pine had disappeared. Isaac suddenly hoped to be invited back. Perhaps they would meet at that point and he could be eliminated from the options.

Isaac waited until they returned home before he spoke. "Father, I must tell you something."

"You did great there, Isaac. Speak."

"I smelled pine, Father. Only for a short while. I wonder... could it have possibly... been my mate?"

Julius was silent for a moment. "Isaac. Why do you want us to fail?"

"What? I don't-"

"Because that's what I hear you saying. That we should fail because you smelled a tree. Why would you want that?"

"No, I just think that if my actual mate is out there, surely I should be with them?"

Julius suddenly grabbed Isaac's arm, causing him to cry out in fear. "Listen to me. If the Alpha chooses you, you will reject your mate. We cannot go against the Alpha. And if you declare your mate is there, you'd have to explain why two women are mated. And if the Alpha finds out we tried to fool him, do you know what could happen to us? Dungeon. Probably for life. Do you want that?"

"Of course not! But how do I fool them for the rest of my life?"

Julius let go of his arm. "Let me worry about that. You just keep obeying me and we'll be fine."

Isaac nodded, staring at the ground. "Yes, Father."

The next day, Julius kept pacing the house. The wait was awful. There was no way of knowing if there would even be a messenger sent. And as the day got later, the chance of someone showing up got smaller.

They had all but given up hope when, right before sunset, there was a knock on the door. Julius all but ran to answer it. The man handed over an envelope, bowed his head, and left without a word. Julius tore it open while Isaac held his breath.

"Dear Isabella Duphrane,

The Alpha Byron Pierce invites you to his mansion tomorrow to make a final decision about the new mate for his son, the furture Alpha Charles Pierce. Please be here three hours past noon.

The council of the Alpha"