(Jax)

I stared at the screen, confused by what I was seeing. Most of the bars were green, and a couple were yellow. I had no idea what any of the categories meant.

“Pedigree?” I whispered.

“Yeah, it is something else. Might be the best I’ve ever seen.” He glanced at me. “Your brothers aren’t in the system yet. Why is that?” He rolled a chair over from a work station and sat. He swiveled side to side as he scrolled.

“My brothers turned eighteen not too long ago.” I lowered my gaze. “They haven’t come around to do it.”

“Hmm…” He scanned his tablet. “Just by their appearances alone, I’d say their pedigree is probably better than yours. With that red hair, if they were girls, someone would have staked a claim on them the moment their blood hit the system. I’m sure your sister will be chosen once she turns eighteen.”

“She’s gone,” I said softly. “They’re all gone. They left.”

He laughed. “Sure. Keep thinking that.” He sighed. “We’ll find her and your brothers. From what I’ve heard, only one of the twins was behind what happened. We’ll find out the truth eventually.” Clicking on something, he turned the tablet to show me a picture of Jed. “But if that’s true, there’s nothing we can do to save him. But these two.” 

He pressed my family's number, and all our pictures appeared. My photo was from years ago when the overseer came to document my family. 

“Richard and Maggie”—he arched a brow—“the girl will easily find a mate. It would be better if her coloring were like yours. Richard, it’ll take a certain kind of werewolf to handle him.” He sat back in his seat and crossed his ankle over his knee. “Dominants mating dominants, it’s how the pack got to where we are today. He won’t have to wait too long.”

“They won’t do it.”

“What?” He gave me a smirk. 

“Not every human wants to be a werewolf.”

“You might want to change your tune.” He motioned to me. “If your siblings want to live, they’ll do as they’re told. They ran. Even if they’re not the werewolf killer, they still ran. Abandoning your pack is going rogue. That’s a death sentence.”

I swallowed hard. 

He took a deep breath. “We usually don’t bother with males, especially those who could turn out to be dominant. There’s too much of a risk that they will start an uprising; the whole mating process can be messy as well. The red hair has intrigued the higher-ups, though. They love it when red shows up in the bloodline. Red hair and a pedigree like this, it’s impressive.” He perked up. “Oh, your brother’s profile just updated. He already has an offer, even without his results. Makes sense. The successor has already stated his interest in you, so it appears everyone wants a bit of the bloodline. They probably should have tried to keep that quiet for a little longer.”

I clenched my jaw. “What?”

He glanced at me. “Oh, the system alerts the higher-ups whenever a good bloodline enters the mating registry. The successor put a hold on you.” He laughed. “Staking his claim without even marking you. He must like what he sees.” His eyes flicked to me. “On paper at least.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to. It’s not worth it. I’d rather stay human.”

“Are you delirious?” He motioned to me. “Becoming a werewolf would fix whatever issues you have.”

“It’s not worth it,” I muttered. “I won’t betray my family.”

“Betray your family,” he chuckled. “Would you rather your family be executed? Your parents did let your siblings escape. They didn’t exactly surrender. They have good genes, but they’re only good when they're combined.” He waved his finger at me. “They test above average, but nothing like you.”

I shook my head. “You’re wrong. They surrender. They followed the rules.”

“What about your siblings?” He leaned forward. “The one has to die. We don’t keep around werewolf killers, but the other two, what about them?”

I swallowed hard. 

“I’m going to paint a picture for you. Something to think about while you're waiting here, potentially for your future mate to arrive. We have your parents. We will find your siblings. Right now, they are the parents and siblings of a werewolf killer. They could be the parents and siblings of the mate of the future alpha of Midfield.”

My eyes grew wide. “Future alpha?”

He smiled to himself. “That’s what successor means. If they’re the in-laws of the next alpha, I’m fairly sure they’ll make an exception. He can’t really kill your mother and father-in-law. Who knows, if you beg, they might not even kill the one brother. Unlikely, but worth a try.” He rose to his feet. “But none of that will matter unless you become a werewolf.” He looked at one of the other workers. “Put him back in his cell for now.”

I was picked off the floor and carried into the small room. They set me on the bed and left. I slumped over as the door closed, and I heard the lock click into place. My hand went to my shoulder, then to my neck. The tears were building. I didn’t want to die. I didn’t want my family to die. Becoming a werewolf would heal my body. Would I be able to walk? It might not be so bad.

I let out a shaky breath. I didn’t want to think about it. Being the mate of a powerful werewolf would keep my family safe. The mate of the next alpha—could I really save Jedrek as well? I couldn’t believe my brother went as far as to kill a werewolf. I knew he hated them, but now he was basically forcing his family to become what he hated. 

Why did he do this? What would make him take it this far? He killed a fucking werewolf. I rubbed my face. I didn’t like either of my options, but one was execution. I was starting to feel like I didn’t actually have a choice. I had been preparing myself to die, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t choose to live if given the chance.

***

I heard footsteps and turned over. A tall, skinny werewolf was staring at me. The werewolf from before was standing in the doorway.

“This is him?”

The man in the doorway nodded. “Yes, sir. I checked the numbers multiple times. It’s him.”

“Hmm…” He moved closer. “So, has the situation been explained?”

“Yes, sir. I told him the successor is interested. I was surprised that he didn’t jump at the opportunity.”

“Really?” He held out his hand.

The other man passed him his tablet.

“Hmm…” The skinny werewolf tapped a couple of things on the screen. “Farmer community.” He groaned. “I hate humans from the countryside. All they know how to do is bitch. They have a dream of running off to the south and living in some abandoned building.” He gave the tablet back. “Well, let’s hope you realize your situation and come to your senses, because we’re not going to waste our time. You’re good. Good enough for the next alpha, but not the only option.”

I muscled myself upright. “If I’m this person’s mate, you won’t kill my family?”

The skinny werewolf took a deep breath. “I can’t promise anything for the one, but the others can be forgiven.”

“I want to know for sure that you won’t kill my parents, and at least, Ricky and Maggie.”

“Who?” he turned around.

“Brother and sister. The brother is not the werewolf killer, according to the parents, at least.”

“This is a conversation to have with Max.”

“Max?” I whispered.

“His promise will hold more weight than mine.”

Swallowing hard, I scanned my legs. “Why would someone want me?” I whispered. “Look at me.”

The werewolf laughed to himself. “That’s what you’re worried about? This is easily fixed. If your parents were smart, they would have entered you into the registry in hopes you’d be chosen.”

I let out a shaky breath. “I’ll talk to him. This person.”

“And?” He rubbed his brow. 

“I’ll decide after I talk to him. I’m not going to go through with this if you’re just going to kill my family anyway.”

“Humans,” he muttered. “They are so difficult. Future alpha,” he stated. “You do understand what that means? Did your parents not teach you anything?”

I clenched my jaw. “I know what it means. I’ve known my entire life that I wasn’t going to live very long. Most people are surprised I made it this far. If I have to die, then I’m prepared.” I felt my chest ache.

“Difficult as always.” He shook his head. “Fine. If you’d like to talk, I can take you to him now.”

I let out a shaky breath. “Him?” It dawned on me that we were talking about a man. I didn’t know how to feel about that. I had been more concerned with basic survival than with relationships.

“Yes, and as a clear omega, you should be honored.” The skinny werewolf motioned to me. “So would you like me to take you?”

Nodding, I took a deep breath. “Yes. I’ll meet him.”