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I licked my lips that were cracked and split from the intense heat, I unclasped the lid on my water bottle that was attached to my handmade belt crafted from recyclable materials that were left lying around the house.

Tilting my head back, I growled when three tiny drops of water landed on my dry tongue. Sighing I dropped back onto my knees digging a small hole in the ground before placing a seed in it covering it up with the dark soil. I quickly finished planting the rest in the last row of my assigned Drills. I flicked my eyes up towards both of my supervisors seeing them deeply engrossed in a conversation I cautiously put the labelled bags of seeds in my baggy tracksuit bottoms while my eyes were solely focused on them.

Taking a deep breath I stood up from my crouched position approaching them, I patiently waited for them to finish talking. I didn't shout at them or tell them how rude they were or call them all the filthy names that they lived up too, no I reeled in all of the insane thoughts that I was having that would get me killed and kept them on an tight leash like all these mutts belonged on.

Instead of signing my own death wish I stood with my head bent slightly as a display of submission with my lips tightly pressed together trapping all the nasty but truthful words from slipping out. They nodded to one another before the unfamiliar manager strolled around checking on the progress, my director Emmet turned towards me as I avoided his gaze. "Are you finished Lilah?" I could feel his eyes burn into the side of my face making my jaw tighten. Emmet was like many of the male beasts tall, broad, muscular and had terrifyingly big canines.

"Yes sir." Was my short answer. I clenched my teeth together not being comfortable in the mongrels presences longer than necessary, like everyone that worked here we had to address our superiors with respect or there would be severe consequences. My hand nervously trembled by my side as I thought about what might happen if I was caught stealing, I began to sweat slightly along my forehead swallowing my fear as his eyes squinted analysing my body language.

"May I carry on with the rest of my shift sir?" I boldly questioned my eyes meeting his for a short second. Planting wasn't the only task assigned to me on my shift I had to go into the factory that was a half an hour walk from the planting grounds.

His eyes glazed over making them look dull and grey, his pupils had a disturbing foggy shadow hanging over them blinking his eyes he looked down at me. "I'll escort you," he grumbled nodding at the other male in charge.

He scanned his card that loosely dangled from a chain wrapped around his neck, opening the metal cage like fence that "protected" us from anything wild that would be lurking around in the woodland area. The fence stood at 60 foot with barbed wire running around the top area, at night time they enclose the open area at the top trapping in all the heat like a green house would. The few hundred acres that surrounded us was divided into three parts, there was the planting grounds where different types of vegetable's and fruit were grown whether they come from the ground or are found on a tree. Then there's the factory where many stations had been set up, in the factory was where they sterilise and prep everything weather it be using the machines to dice the food into smaller pieces or putting them in their packaging.

The only thing that disturbed the tense silence that settled between Emmet and I was the constant trudging of our feet on the plush grass. If one good thing had come from the Mutts taking over it would be the explosion of green, they planted new trees nearly everywhere they possibly could. They knocked down buildings that where no longer being used and put the area too good use. "You know Lilah you would be in a lot of trouble if someone found out what's hiding in them pockets of yours." My body stiffened as his words began to weigh down on my shoulders.

He glanced over his shoulder at me his scrutinising gaze making me tense completely. Shaking my head slightly I sighed "I don't know what your talking about." I kept walking trying to act as normal as possible, I tried my best to take even slow breaths so he couldn't hear my racing heart.

The difference between the DNA of the beasts and the humans gave them the upper hand in a few different areas, their ability to duplicate cells in a millisecond made their ability to heal a thousand times quicker than the average human. They all had heightened sense of smell, hearing and vision making it hard to ambush them, their capacity to absorb Vitamin D and Calcium on a higher scale than humans could made their bones stronger and less likely to break, the difference between their genes gave them the advantage of stronger muscles making them twice as fast as the average human.

Even though I didn't want to admit it but the evidence was there that they out-ranked us humans at nearly everything, before the supernatural beings took over scientist studied the difference in our biology. Statements had been released to the public notifying us on how the werewolf gene made them less vulnerable to illness and aging as easily as humans. Since they had the advantage of superior genetics this gave them the benefit in combat, when the H.R.E, Human Rights Embassy decided to go to war deep down every last one of us knew that we would be defeated but that didn't stop either of my parents going off to fight for our rights. My mother sadly died in battle leaving behind her fourteen year old daughter and five month old baby boy.

My breath wheezed it's way past my lips as my back collided with the itchy surface of the slightly worn down grass and dirt. The rich smell of the fresh grass and natural smell of the familiar soil tickled my nose before it was tainted by a masculine odour, my brows slanted forward in an un-impressed manner as my lips tightened as Emmet pinned my fragile body under his looming figure. The bones in my thighs screeched in agony as his knees applied pressure to them making a flame lick my legs, bile began to rise in my stomach when his wet lips began to slobber on my neck as he began to suck as I grimaced in displeasure.

He bit my earlobe slightly. "Umh but don't you worry it'll be our little secret," gingerly he crawled off me standing to his full height outstretching his hand, glaring at it I lifted myself off the ground glancing at the dull grey building in the distance. "I'll forget about this whole ordeal if you agree to sign the Claiming Contract." My heart froze as I burned holes into the back of his head. If I signed the contract it would mean that if I wasn't mated to a beast by the time I'm thirty Emmet would have the right to claim me as his even though I'm not an object.

"Why? Aren't you going to wait on your Mate?" my voice came out much stronger and clearer despite the tremor in my hands. His whole demeanor changed drastically, it was as if something had drained the life out of him as he stood still a dark aura hanging over his head. His lip curled slightly almost to quick to catch it before his face relaxed nothing being displayed.

"She's dead," he shrugged his huge shoulders as we continued onwards, the tension that fell upon us was so thick you could cut it with a knife. "If you refuse my offer Lilah I will report you, just a simple heads up." He winked at me taking me aback a little. If the authorities found out that I was stealing no matter what it was I would be sent to isolation after being publicly punished as an example.

I wasn't able to put my brother Beau or my Nana through that, they'd starve without my pay check. I do 66 hours a week and I'm paid 0.35c for every hour I do, even though I earned a small wage of $23.10 it got us through the week. "When do you want me to sign it" I grumbled out even though the idea of being with this man and others seeing us as partners or significant others had my stomach churning.

Seeing his lips pinch together on one side of his face in a smug manner made me want to punch him square on in the face."I'll have a photocopy of it tomorrow for you." His tense stance had vanished thoroughly and was replaced with a much looser one.

As we arrived at the steel metal doors to the massive dull building starring down at us Emmet scanned the same device that was wrapped around his neck from earlier and opened the door leaving me alone to head to my next post. My shoulders relaxed as the cold air welcomed me relieving my fair skin that was slightly red in certain areas due to the sun that rained down on me while I was exposed outside. I begrudgingly strolled to my post pressed the on button as tons of vegetables began to slide down a shoot that was connected to my boring chrome table, starting up the rest of the machine I sighed only half way into my shift.

My feet ached screaming at me in agony as I began my walk home, the small brown envelope that held my paycheck uncomfortably dug into the soft tissue of my breast as it was safely nestled in my bra. It took an hour to walk before I arrived home, and since today was Friday and I finally had money I would stop on my way home and buy some food. I began going through the list of what was needed in my head as I neared a small local grocery store that was slightly run down looking. Grabbing a metal basket I began looking at the price tags on everything gnawing on the bottom of my lip as I picked up eight tins of soup for 30c each. I always tried buying food that would last longer than others, grabbing two frozen pizzas that were only 45c I gulped feeling the ball of anxiety beginning to grow in case I went home and needed money for something else. Grabbing three tins of beans, a small box of porridge oats, milk and eggs I headed to the top of the shop grabbing a bar of chocolate for Beau. The total that everything came too was $7.20 which wasn't all too bad considering we had other food growing in the garden. Packing my food away in my recyclable bag I walked out of the shop grabbing my other bag, some of the human workers who worked as lumberjacks always carved up logs and left them beside the hedges near the forest, stuffing as many logs into my bag as I possibly could I began to quickly walk fearing that my brother was hungry at home.

The sound of the birds chirping away soothingly took away all the madness floating through my head, they sounded so beautiful peaceful, natural even. As a child I use to always love nature the birds, the flowers, the trees, the weather and all the different types of animals out there. But ever since I found out about the monsters that were real I knew Nature was capable of creating cruel disgusting things that should never have been created. Shaking my head I cleared all thoughts from my mind keeping high alert on my surroundings paranoid that I would be attacked since the scouting officers and obviously they were beasts as well, didn't come this far out into town and there had been incident when some people were raped or physically attacked out here.

I began walking up the driveway of the one story average sized white cobble stoned house that I grew up in, seeing the lights on I smiled seeing my brothers light blonde hair bounce as he ran into the kitchen. Opening the front door I kicked my shoes off dropping my bag full of wood before moving towards the occupied room in the back, my grandmother sat at the head of the table telling my brother a story while his big blue curious eyes stared up at her in wonder and excitement. I smiled seeing his innocence to the world around him the protective feeling to shield him away from all things evil began taking over. Turning towards me his little arms and legs quickly moved before I scooped his tiny body up into my arms, all though he was six he still had the same build and height he had when he was four.

"Hey LiLi, how was your day?" His happy smile made a smile of my own appear on my face. No matter what circumstance I was in I would never let him see how bad things truly were.

"I had a good day Beau! How have you been today squirt?" I grinned ruffling his hair settling him down. I began unpacking my bags whilst I still paid attention to him.

"I had a great day LiLi! We learned about history today but it's not like the one you tell me your one is better. But I'm kind of sad," his tone of voice flattened slightly at the end making worry take control of my body. I hated how they taught at school, I had attended the school under the wolves teachings for four years and they never mentioned the importance in human history only of wild traditions. The main subject you start learning about when your twelve years are mates.

"Why baby? Is there something wrong that I can help with?" Bending down so I was at the same height as him I tenderly rubbed his cheeks.

"Umhm my teacher was talking about the history of the hunt Lili and how everyone is leaving tomorrow and your going to have to go but what if something happens and you can't come ba-" I gathered him into a tight hug shushing him in what was meant to be a calming manner.

"You don't have to worry about any of this baby okay? I'm always going to be here for you! No matter what!" My grandmother made eye contact with me telling me in her judgmental gaze that I shouldn't be making promises I couldn't keep. Breaking the uncomfortable gaze I re-directed my eyes towards my sliver of happiness. "Since today is pay day and you haven't gotten into any trouble so far this year in school I bought you a bar of chocolate!" Hearing the squeal of delight was like music to my ears. Even though we were living in different circumstances than the ones I grew up in I wanted Beau to have an easy normal childhood and for him not too worry about anything.

"Thank you Lili I love you!" His little milk teeth flashed up at me as he bore a huge grin, my heart sank thinking of all the bad things that could happen to him or my nana if I was taken away.

"I love you too pumpkin but your only allowed have it after dinner" he nodded while going inside to play with the vintage model cars that my father collected before all of this happened. Turning towards the stove I waited patiently for the shitty electricity to start working emptying two tins of soup into a metal pot I began stirring it.

"Lilah how much did you spend on food this week?" hearing her stressed voice I turned towards her not wanting her to feel any discomfort.

"$7.10, why nana? What's wrong?" My voice came out slightly panicked exactly how I felt. Her tired and drained looking face displayed how she really felt on the inside run down and unwell, her old wrinkled hand ran through her thin grey hair as she sighed heavily

"I need new medicine Lilah, maybe you can hold off another week without getting it but I do need it". Shaking my head I looked at my Nana sadly her diabetes was already beginning to take its toll on her, she had a cataract in her left eye which I had one of the humans in our community examine since he was a former doctor.

"I'll try getting it tomorrow before I leave for the Hunt." I spoke determinedly, it was $9.90 for the medicine she needed leaving me with a small amount of money left for electricity.

I began going around the rooms lighting candles while turning off the lights, the only time we'd be using any electricity would be for the stove whilst cooking. Going back to the kitchen I began pouring the soup into three different bowls, staring out the window I glared seeing two towering figures in uniforms drag a man down the street by his feet. I couldn't pull any curtains as it was a law that human households couldn't have them in case illegal activity was going on and the wolves couldn't see, not wanting Beau to see them I called him into the kitchen for dinner, we all sat around the table the sound of our spoons banging off our dishes echoing around the room.

"Beau you've to have a shower after dinner okay?" He nodded his little head licking his lips. Gathering the bowls I began cleaning them in the sink quickly before heading upstairs to the bathroom. Turning the shower on I helped Beau in making sure he washed his body and hair properly, wrapping him up in a towel I carried him into his room putting his pjs on. He ran down the stairs asking nana to tell him a story while he let his hair dry in front of the fire. I entered the bathroom once I was stripped I turned the shower on my teeth chattered against each other as the cold water sprayed down on me. I let Beau use all the hot water leaving none for me. I quickly washed myself and my hair before clambering out shivering. I quickly got dressed strolling down the stairs I made my way down the narrow hall into the sitting room where Nana sat cradling Beau's head while he slept on her lap.

"Nana would you braid my hair for me?" My voice barely a whisper. As she nodded her head I sat down in front of her on the floor. She sat comfortable on the couch while brushing my hair as I looked into the open flames dancing in the fire place.

The heat glided onto my bare skin making me smile in content at its warmth, I closed my eyes enjoying her gentle hands playing with my hair. "Lilah I want you to be safe tomorrow," her motherly tone shined through as she spoke. "Don't do anything stupid I want you to come back to me in one piece." I rolled my eyes slightly at her disapproval of me smuggling in my weapons that I carry with me everyday.

"I'll be fine Nana," I said trying to convince her and myself. Hearing her sigh she finished the second plait resting her hands on my shoulders. "Do you think I'll be taken tomorrow." My nervousness slithered it's way out past my lips.

"Let's hope to god you're not Li," she said patting my stiff shoulder.

"If there really was a god Nana none of this would have happened," I grumbled standing up before lifting Beau sleeping form into my arms. "Goodnight Nana." I called out over my shoulder beginning to walk up the stairs.

"Goodnight sweetheart." She whispered as she looked into the orange lights that held my attention a few minutes prior.

I tucked Beau into bed leaving the door open slightly before getting into my own bed staring at the ceiling. A lonesome tear rolled down my face thinking of all the bad possibilities of being claimed tomorrow. God if you really are out there please let me stay to protect my family.