The night falls on Château Blank.

Colin and I were dressed to impress for the King's reception. The dress code is black tie, so we were dazzling in our suits. I inherited this suit from my father, but fortunately, he had the same shape as me back when he was in his thirties.

Colin told me that the only thing his father bought him before he left Leeds, Alabama, was a tailored suit for him to wear in the reception because he did not want his son to 'embarrass him in front of the King while representing his pack'. Yes, that is a direct quote. Father of the year, this guy. *eye roll*

At least, it means Colin is fit to meet His Majesty, in case he ever looks our way. We have been told that King Lucius may not speak to everyone present because of how many candidates applied for the tournament.

If you think about it, five thousand, six hundred contestants is a pretty bleak number considering the number of wolf packs in this country, which is around forty thousand. I imagine that with all the press coverage this tournament has received so far, most of the packs thought this was just a stunt by King Lucius to legitimize his nephew Prince Elton.

No one in America actually thinks that a commoner could ever be the next King, but the Alphas who had second sons to send to the Capital to compete had nothing to lose. At the very least, they could gain notoriety if their children do well in the tournament. But no one really expects this to be fair and impartial. It's the monarchy we are talking about, they are not known for fairness and impartiality.

Colin and I walked to Washington Hall where the reception was taking place. There was a line of guests entering the place. Dignitaries from foreign countries, the nobility, cabinet members, politicians, and the press are going wild for the event that the highest caste of American society is paying close attention to.

The Secret Service is working double time to ensure the monarch's security, but everyone who entered here was patted down and vetted before their arrival. Due to the occasion, several adjacent rooms were opened to make space for this many people. The largest gathering this castle has ever seen since war times.

Like two fish out of water, we walked around the room, hearing the loud buzz of the guests. Many contestants were arriving now as we did, only the press arrived early to cover the event. I have never seen a TV crew before in my life, let alone cameras of that size.

Foreign reporters were also covering the event from a press room not far from here. The waiting staff was circling around with expensive drinks. There was a table with food, but no one was eating at the moment. It's early and it will be a while before the King graces us with his presence.

Colin and I tended to gravitate around other contestants with who we had socialized over the last two days. We didn't know anyone else here, so we were not about to strike up conversations with strangers in this environment.

The contestants looked nervous around this many important people in one room, especially with the press conducting live coverage of the event. As if that was not enough, there was also this:

"Lord Chamberlain Edwin Talbot, Princess Rosamund Whitaker Talbot, Prince Elton Whitaker Talbot, and Princess Emily Whitaker Talbot."

There was a guy in ceremonial robes announcing the noble people entering the hall like it was the nineteenth century. I guess some traditions never die...

At some point in the evening, the press started to make rounds and interview the attendees to gather their reports on what they thought of the upcoming tournament. Most people avoided openly criticizing the King since they were on his turf, but no one was enthusiastic about it. However, they all agreed that it was his choice to select his successor, given that the natural order of things could not be accomplished. Meaning, without children of his own there is no rulebook on who to select as his successor. Elton is just the more logical candidate, given his noble blood.

Colin and I went around the room, marveling at the celebrities we were seeing, the top one percent of our society. The waiters served food and drinks since there was not going to be a formal dinner this time around because no table could fit this many people at the same time.

After a while, the King and Queen were announced to enter the hall by a private entrance, receiving a standing ovation as they did. Lucius and his wife were mesmerizing to look at, he seemed content to be there, welcoming everybody to this event. At the other end of the spectrum, Prince Elton's parents did not seem pleased that he just launched a competition to fill a position that should go to their son, his nephew.

Nobody knows why the King is resistant to that idea, except for the people who are closest to the monarch. I have no idea why he set this up and I honestly couldn't care less. But what I do care about is why am I not mated by now.

With all these people here, shouldn't I be glowing my eyes right about this time of night?

That is how my father and uncle got mated, at an event such as this one, on separate occasions naturally, but where is my mate? I really hoped I would find them by now. I am disappointed. Colin poked my arm to tell me that King Lucius was about to make an announcement.

"Esteemed guests and members of the press, I know many of you have been questioning my sanity lately since I announced this idea of a tournament to select my successor. I also know that many of you expected me to name my nephew Elton as the next in line of succession. I am aware of what is expected of me, I am also aware that some of you think this is just a ploy to legitimize him as the heir to the throne, but you are wrong about that." He declared, lights flashing as he spoke in front of a parade of journalists and camera crews.

"If Elton does win the tournament, he will be the next Lycan King of the United States." He declared, proudly. Elton was sitting next to his family on another side of the room, paying attention to his uncle's speech.

"However, he will have no favoritism, no advantage in the competition in regard to any other contestant. If he wins, it'll be on his own merit. Then I will know for sure that he is the best candidate to be King after me. I know I am not getting any younger, so I take this project seriously. The winner takes it all." He continued, smiling to the press.

The King was hounded by the press for follow-up questions, but he was not speaking any more to them tonight. That is not why he threw this event, he wanted to talk to us, the contestants.

Most of the people present were left reeling after that declaration. Is he actually being serious about this? Possibly handing over the control of the nation to a stranger? I guess he is, as it turns out. The press was in a frenzy after the King confirmed what most feared to be true. He is dead serious about it.

Later that night, the King was doing his rounds, greeting the contestants briefly, when he locked eyes on me and I blushed, instinctively lowering my head at the monarch's gaze. Always surrounded by an aid and a protective detail, he approached the table where I, Colin, and some other contestants were.

"Good evening, young man. What is your name?" He greeted me with an austere presence, surprising the people present to have sought me out in the crowd. I bowed my head in respect for the monarch.

"Good evening, Your Majesty. I'm Bradley Pendragon, from–"

"I knew it!" He smiled at me, cutting me off enthusiastically.

"I knew you were his son. You look exactly like your father, though I did not meet him at your age." He spoke, smiling at me for a moment.

"Walk with me." He ordered and so I did. Nobody expected him to remember who my father was, much less that he would seek me out in the crowd to talk to me. I am gobsmacked to be in the company of our ruling monarch. This night has taken such a turn!

A|N: What's next?

Heck if I know...

Love,

Léo.